Thin Stock T&G Question

[Mike Deschler]

I've boxed my self into a corner so to speak and I need to make some oak flooring to match some existing material. I was think of milling some red oak to the needed thickness of approximately 3/8" and was wondering how you guys would make the required T&G joints. I need to match 3" widths and can go with random lengths. Or do I even need to go through this drill but just glue the flooring to the wooden sub floor minus the joints. The floor in question is on a stair landing and does see some traffic.

[Jim Becker]

Table saw...perfect for the job. Mill the groove first and then fit the tongue to it using scrap. Once you have the tongue "dialed in", it shouldn't take you much time to run the material.

[Andy Hoyt]

At that thickness I wonder if ship lapping would be more prudent

[Jim Becker]

At that thickness I wonder if ship lapping would be more prudent

Good point, Andy, especially if there is ever a chance that the floor might be sanded. Keep the top "lap" thicker for that reason.

[Steve Clardy]

Yes. Ship lap it.