Mm

"MSilver"

13/03/2007 2:11 PM

How to cut a laminate counter top?

I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
I believe the type is known as post form
It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.

What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?

My thoughts are to cut with a hand saw, top up, pulling down on the saw
- pre-taping the cut line

I have two counters to do - cutting 8" off a 4' length, and and 3" off a
10' length

Then next trick will be cutting the sink hole from the big one, but I have
found lots of articles on that.


Thanks in advance

Matt



This topic has 7 replies

TW

"Tim W"

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

13/03/2007 11:37 PM


"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "MSilver" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
>> I believe the type is known as post form
[...]>
>
> I would cut with a router, straight edge and FROM THE BACK SIDE.
Actually rough cut it to within about 3-6mm with anything then finish the
edge with a router. Not necessarily from the back but so that the router
cuts into the post-formed rolled front edge and doesn't mess it up. That's
from the top for a RH end and from the bottom for a LH end.

Tim w

RN

"RayV"

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

13/03/2007 11:35 AM

On Mar 13, 2:11 pm, "MSilver" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
> I believe the type is known as post form
> It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.
>
> What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?
>
> My thoughts are to cut with a hand saw, top up, pulling down on the saw
> - pre-taping the cut line
>
> I have two counters to do - cutting 8" off a 4' length, and and 3" off a
> 10' length
>
> Then next trick will be cutting the sink hole from the big one, but I have
> found lots of articles on that.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Matt

Go here and follow step 3 unless you have a RAS.
http://www.bejane.com/tutorial_post_form_countertop

PH

Peter Huebner

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

14/03/2007 9:53 AM

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
>
> What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?
>

Unless you have a specialist sawblade with negative rake I'd go with Leon on
this one: use a router with a straightedge.

I've one of those blades for my skilly - they're sold as carbide tipped
aluminium cutting blades here - and that manages to get through veneered mdf
and melamine without too much chipping. Sometimes it still needs cleanup
afterwards though.

If you don't have a good router either, then I'd suggest clamping a
straightedge to the top, very firmly, and decisively scoring the laminate,
deeply, then making the cut just a little back from the score and
sanding/planing back to it after.

f.w.i.w. -Peter

--
=========================================
firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

13/03/2007 2:27 PM


"MSilver" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
> I believe the type is known as post form
> It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.
>
> What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?
>
> My thoughts are to cut with a hand saw, top up, pulling down on the saw
> - pre-taping the cut line
>
> I have two counters to do - cutting 8" off a 4' length, and and 3" off
> a 10' length
>
> Then next trick will be cutting the sink hole from the big one, but I have
> found lots of articles on that.
>
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Matt


I would cut with a router, straight edge and FROM THE BACK SIDE.

PB

Pat Barber

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

13/03/2007 7:59 PM

With pictures:

http://www.WoodworkingTips.com/etips/etip022500wb.html


MSilver wrote:

> I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
> I believe the type is known as post form
> It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.
>

gm

"giga"

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

14/03/2007 12:16 PM

I recently did the same operation on my counter, in place. I used my Bosch
jigsaw with a straightedge guide clamped to the counter. With the right
blade, you'll get a beautiful cut with absolutely no chipping of the
laminate. When the saw's foot hit the backsplash, I pivoted the saw up on
it's heel, and finished the job.

Bob



"MSilver" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
> I believe the type is known as post form
> It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.
>
> What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?
>
> My thoughts are to cut with a hand saw, top up, pulling down on the saw
> - pre-taping the cut line
>
> I have two counters to do - cutting 8" off a 4' length, and and 3" off
> a 10' length
>
> Then next trick will be cutting the sink hole from the big one, but I have
> found lots of articles on that.
>
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Matt
>
>
>

CK

"CM"

in reply to "MSilver" on 13/03/2007 2:11 PM

13/03/2007 11:17 PM

We cut them all the time with a circular saw and a straight edge. We cut
them from the back side. Blade doesn't matter much although we do use
carbide tipped.

cm


"MSilver" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening
> I believe the type is known as post form
> It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.
>
> What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?
>
> My thoughts are to cut with a hand saw, top up, pulling down on the saw
> - pre-taping the cut line
>
> I have two counters to do - cutting 8" off a 4' length, and and 3" off
> a 10' length
>
> Then next trick will be cutting the sink hole from the big one, but I have
> found lots of articles on that.
>
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Matt
>
>
>


You’ve reached the end of replies