I saw the custom surfaces website on the diagonal with borders with tigerwood. Awesome work. I want to do the same with Brazilian walnut - IPE.

3 questions pertaining to how I should do the diagonal with borders.

1) I saw that a center board was first installed before doing the diagonal work. I am planning to do the same. Is it necessary to reverse the boards around the center with a spline or a slip tongue? Or can I just go about without reversing the boards at the center?

2) Nice tip on using the circular saw to do cut the diagonal straight at the ends. If I do that, can I go about without making the groove in the cut diagonal boards. What I mean is Can I just face nail the border boards instead of making the groove, puttin in the spline and then locking the groove on the border board? I am pretty sure that I will not be able to route the groove on the boards properly.

3) Do I need to facenail the border boards into the joist exactly?

Thanks a bunch for the advice. You guys are the best.

1) On diagonal installs, starting in the center is best. It will give you a long, straight line to work off of. If you start in a small corner on one side, you will probably end up being crooked by the time you reach the middle of the field.

2) You should route a groove on the cut ends to install a spline (slip tongue). This locks in the first border board and keeps the height correct and aligned. It isn't very difficult with a decent router and a bearing guided bit.

BTW, you phrase you questions by saying "can I". Of course you can do anything you wish. The correct question is "should I".

Thanks, Gary. Do I need to reverse the boards at the center by adding a spline? Or can I do without reversing the boards?

Also, should I face nail the border boards into the joists exactly?

There you go again, asking if you can. All kidding aside, when starting in the middle of a room, one typically chalks a center line (starting straight line) and installs backer boards for the first row. Then the first row is installed by blind-nailing into the tongue of the flooring. Once one side of the room is completed, the backer boards are removed and a slip tongue (spline) is installed into the groove of that first row. Then one blind nails that slip tongue and anchors the starting row's backside. Then simply continue on installing flooring as normal as now you have a tongue to engage the groove with. See? So yes, you must reverse directions when starting in the middle of a room. Depending on your border's size, blind nail as much as possible. You can substitute a solvent adhesive (liquid nails) for the last few rows instead a alot of face nailing. Then only face nail in a few spots to hold the boards in the glue and kep tight. Or face nail in the same place where you would normally blind nail; within 2" of the ends and about 10" oc.

Can I thank you or Should I thank you. Definitely "should". Thanks a bunch, Gary.