Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Undercutting Brick Hearth

Hello all,

I'm about to undertake a 400sf lamintate install in a living room / halway (shaped about like Oklahoma if looking at a map) and i have a couple questions for the fine folks here:

1) I'm going to undercut the brick hearth that runs the entire width of the living room. It's brick, but looking at where it meets the slab, it appears that most of the "undercutting" will be done in mortar. Is that going to be a problem?

2) I need to buy an undercut saw and will likely sell it after project. What's a good one that will cut under the brick and around a bunch of doorways. Not sure if it makes any difference on teh type of saw but several of the door ways will only be undercut about halfway through as there's carpet remaining in the bedrooms off the hallway.

3) Any particular type of blade to cut through the brick / mortar easily or will be a PITA process no matter what blade is used?

4) My plan, since the first board on each row will have to slid under the hearth to start there and finiish in the hallway. Any inherent problems with that?

5) i'm considering going with floorshop.com (good prices and super fast service getting samples). Anyone have good / bad experience with them?

Thanks a million
Marshall

CrainTools.com and click on saws, You will see your choices, they also have the diamond blade you need.