How to cut formica

Often the appliance or item to be installed in the new hole will have a flange or rim which will conceal the cut edge of the opening. If the edge of the opening will not be concealed a router with a special bit will work well and minimize. It is more complicated than you are expecting, they damage easily. First you need to remove the counter top from the cabinet so that there is room for you to use a saw.

You need a circular saw with a blade that has a high number of. You should cut it over size with a jig saw or circular saw. Small teeth on the blade, I think a plywood blade mounted backwares works too. You really need a router with a laminate cutter bit to finish the job so you can properly edge the. Using Formica allows a homeowner to customize an area with a laminate that is durable and easy to clean.

The Formica should break off and leave a good cut. Be very careful not to get your fingers in the way of the blade. Otherwise you could end up with a nasty injury.

Formica brand plastic laminate is most commonly used to cover countertops, cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Since all plastic laminates are essentially the same, cutting Formica with a utility knife is identical to cutting most laminates. Formica is a leading brand whose name has been synonymous with laminate for decades. One can cut formica sheets with the help of required tools and by the implementation of correct methodology. You can cut formica yourself with a circular saw (in this case laminate).

Use the proper blade as well or you will chip the. Gluing and cutting plastic laminate or formica. This feature is not available right now.

Make sure the formica finish is facing down away from you so the jigsaw blades cut up and into the formica surface. Finally finish up your work with a fine rasp file and sandpaper, making sure you file and sand parallel to the formica edge not across it. Lastly polish up any remaining roughness to your satisfaction. ATM, Optics and DIY Forum. Sources of precut formica for bearings ? Installers often cut full sheets into manageable pieces with a table saw, which requires the extra step of providing support for the sheet on the out-feed side of the table as well as on the blade.

Formica is typically sold in large 4xsheets that you’ll need to cut down to size for your job. Use your tape measure to take measurements of the surface you’ll be covering with the Formica , and add ½” to each measurement. Your circular saw may come with a “ rip fence,” which is a T-shaped guide that you can use for your cut. What I love about it is its durability. Learning the secrets to installing them successfully includes how to cut them properly.

Formica countertops have been a favorite on kitchen cabinets for many years. How To Cut Formica With Tools Around The Workshop. It is durable and comes in a variety of styles and colors, making it an ideal choice when improving your kitchen.

If you replace a countertop in your kitchen or bathroom, you may need to cut the new countertop to fit the desired area. Cut laminate with a saber saw, using a fine-tooth blade or a table saw with fine carbide tipped blade. Re: Best way to cut a formica countertop Use a fresh, sharp blade in a circular saw, mark your cut line on the back, cut the splash first, then make the cut from the front edge to the backsplash. If you use a straight edge to guide the saw, the cut should be smooth enough to install an end cap if necessary, otherwise polish the edge with a belt.

It is a very popular material for counter tops because it is highly durable, and very inexpensive compared to most other counter top surface materials. We use a portable table saw, masking tape on the formica , and cut it from the formica side, right down the middle of the masking tape. Use a good quality, fine toothed saw blade. For alt brgs I use a regular tile knife a little over size then route or file edges.

A trimmer router like Mark says is nice to have. This blog post is uploaded under the Countertop category. Cutting formica can be easily as long as you have the right tools for the job.

For straight cuts, I like to tape the edges so the possibility of splintering is limited. Circular saws, jigsaws, routers and even knives can cut formica and other plastic laminates, but straight edges and accurate cuts require the right technique as well as the right blade. Continue cutting until the material inside the outline is free of the surrounding counter top. Lift the 1-by-2-inch board to remove the cut piece from the opening.

How To: Paint Formica Countertops and Cabinets. Instea use a plate or a cutting board to prevent scratches or dents. Avoid scorch marks by protecting your counters with a trivet, mat, or. A laminate sheet can be cut with a trim router, circular sabre saw, fine-tooth backsaw or utility knife. When cutting laminate material, it is important to use a thin blade especially made for that material.

The cut line was covered in painters tape. I cut a sink hole with a drill and then jigsaw. Laminate is an inexpensive yet durable material for counter.

My cut was covered by a tile backsplash, but if you are buying an end piece of formica or your end needs to be very smooth, you probably need to buy a particular blade for your saw. Score the cut line with a sharp knife. Apply masking tape across the cut line. If the counter flat or does it have a backsplash? Ideally you want the blade cutting on the up stroke, so if the top were flat lay it down on the laminate side, ideally on a piece of foam, thick cardboard or plywood to allow the the blade and to support the laminate.

I have cut laminate with a table saw. The laminate is not rigid so it takes a few hands to keep it on the table.