If you cut straight through a laminate countertop without taking specific precautions the saw blade will tear away chunks of the laminate layer as it cuts.
Can you cut laminate countertops with a jigsaw.
Wear safety glasses when making the cuts.
In order to cut laminate countertops you needs the following.
A plastic finish and a thick particle board or wood base layer.
Here are some tips on how to cut a laminate counter to fit your need.
There are 2 ways to cut formica either with a jigsaw or a laminate router bit.
How to cut laminate.
The countertop will probably be the same thickness everywhere.
A down cutting blade often called a laminate blade allows you to cut from the top side of laminate countertops without chipping the finished surface.
Learning how to cut formica correctly can save a lot of wasted time and money as sometimes the laminate will want to crack or flake.
Measure and draw the shape you need to cut on the tape with a tape measure and a pencil.
The standard method is to use a jigsaw with a reverse tooth or down cutting blade which cuts down through the material rather than the up cut of a standard jigsaw blade.
Laminate countertops come with a brittle laminated layer that can easily crack or chip if mishandled and that is backed by a thick particle board or plywood underlayment.
Safety gloves safety glasses.
Choose a blade with fine teeth.
C clamps straight edge.
Cutting a laminate countertop with a jigsaw is one of the few ways to deal with this challenging material.
To make a hole in laminate for a sink or other item you must use a jigsaw to make the cut only after adequately preparing the laminate surface for cutting.
This will allow the saw to cut cleanly through the whole countertop.
Set the depth on your circular saw to 1 8 in 0 32 cm deeper than the countertop.
P lastic laminate countertops are economical durable easy to clean come in a wide variety of designs and best of all are relatively simple to install yourself.
Laminate countertops have two distinct components.
Cutting laminate countertops or other laminate surfaces can be tricky.
Measure the thickest part of the countertop and set your saw to just a bit deeper than that thickness.
Insert a laminate or metal cutting blade into the jig saw.
A few easy steps before actually cutting the formica can help make your do it yourself job look like a professional installation job.