What blade to use to cut laminate countertop

A table saw, circular saw, or reciprocating saw should be able to cut the counters. With regards to the different saws, you need to take some precautions. Use a sharp, finish blade. Run your circular saw along this straight edge with good support.

To cut through laminate countertops, you can use a hand saw, but a circular saw makes the job much quicker. Because a circular saw can produce jagged edges and chip the laminate , your best bet is to lay the laminate face-side down and cut from the back to the front. NOTE: When cutting countertop , use a fine-toothed plywood cutting blade to minimize chipping in the plastic laminate. The teeth of the saw blade enter the face of the plastic laminate , so chipping is minimal or nonexistent.

I’m using a laminate cutting jigsaw blade in the saw. This specialty blade has teeth that cut on the down stroke to prevent chipping. To prevent the cutout from breaking free of the countertop prematurely, which would damage the laminate , I screw a cleat to the cutout with single screw. The perfect saw blade to cut a laminate countertop is a circular miter saw. You can also use a hand saw but a blade with a circular saw makes the job easier and quicker.

For example, when you’re cutting a granite or Corian countertop , it’s important to use a diamond blade. Because laminate countertop is a relatively soft material, a normal circular saw blade for cutting wood is capable of cutting through it with ease. Nevertheless, the crucial aspect of cutting laminate countertop is to choose a blade with downward oriented teeth. In addition, the blade should have a medium to high tooth count. Using a blade with upward-orriented teeth is a rookie mistake, as in most of the cases it will chip the laminate countertop.

Lex I make counter tops for a living and use a special saw and blade assy to cut them. You can further minimize chipping by using a plywood- cutting blade with a large number of teeth. If you replace a countertop in your kitchen or bathroom, you may need to cut the new countertop to fit the desired area.

Laminate countertops usually come in one piece that combines the actual countertop and the. Plastic laminates such as formica may chip when cut , resulting in ragged edges that expose the backing. Choosing a fine-tooth carbide blade will limit the chances of damaging the laminate edges.

The best way to cut a laminate countertop is with a large stationary saw with 12- or 14-inch blades. Alternate methods are to use a jigsaw with a specialized laminate cutting blade or a circular saw with a shop-built jig to guide the cuts. I would use a circular saw with a fined toothed plywood blade to make the length cuts on the countertop.

When cutting the countertop chipping the laminate is your main concern besides making a straight line. Using Formica allows a homeowner to customize an area with a laminate that is durable and easy to clean. Cut a Piece of Plastic Laminate Countertop Get Perfect Miter Joints on Laminate Countertops First, the preformed counter top will be slightly longer than the installed cabinet. To cut a hole for a sink, it’s easiest to use a jigsaw, which allows for great control.

Always, always, always use a new jigsaw blade. An old or dull blade can chip the laminate along the cutting line. Drill two starter holes in opposite corners just inside the cutting line.

So we mark our cut , and then we align our cutting guide with that mark. And that’s where the saw blade is going to go. The laminate can be glued to the kitchen countertop. From the allotted excess laminate hanging from the edges, cut a 1-inch overhang with the use of laminate trimmer.

The trimmer should just be rolled back and forth along the edges of the countertop. While rolling the trimmer onto the laminate , the base should be laid flat so that trimming will. 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. Cutting a laminate countertop with a handsaw can be a challenge because the motion of the handsaw can crack or otherwise damage the laminate. However, you can ensure the safety of the laminate countertop by following a straightforward procedure. If you are not able to cut right to the wall using a circular saw, you can finish the cut using an electric jig saw with a fine tooth metal blade or a special laminate blade. Instructions for cutting cabinet or countertop plastic laminate on a table saw.

How to cut laminate for cabinets or countertops on a table saw. The answer depends on the material the countertop is made of, and the precision of the desired cut : If the top is high pressure laminate , e. Formica, any saw, even a hand saw will do a fine job. Score from the top with a razor knife and cut just to the line from the waste side. The Bosch Assortment Pack Laminate Flooring Jigsaw Blades is designed to cut laminated materials and are ideal for the woodworker and flooring specialist.

This is made of quality, high-performance steels in a bi-metal construction. The blade should pass through the top wear layer and into the core, so blade rotation and plank orientation are important. 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.

It seems to me that my saw blade (just the blade ) was over $10 but it does a great job and it can be resharpene so should last just about forever.