QA

Quick Answer: How To Cut Laminate Countertops

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.

What kind of blade do you use to cut laminate countertop?

Cutting a post-form laminate countertop to length requires a clean, straight cut. The best DIY tool for the job is a circular saw with a fine-tooth carbide blade made for laminate (the same blades are typically sold for non-ferrous metals and other types of plastics). You can also use a jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade.

How can I cut laminate countertop without chipping?

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.

How many teeth do you need to cut a laminate countertop?

The best circular saw blade for cutting through laminate for a kitchen counter is one with many fine teeth — at least 40. Blades with carbide tips tend to last longer than regular steel. In addition, you should choose a narrow blade, or one with thin kerf, as it’s called in saw talk.

How do you cut Formica without chipping?

You can minimize the potential for chipping if you use a finish blade with lots of teeth, making sure the sharp is keen. You can further reduce the chance of chipping by using masking tape along the cut line and cutting through the tape. As with all cutting, measure at least twice and mark the line well and clearly.

Do you cut worktops upside down?

When cutting a kitchen worktop it is best if you cut it upside down, this is because the teeth on the blade cut on the way up, so there is much less chance of chipping the worktop. Some people draw a line on the worktop and then score it a few times using a sharp knife, then apply some masking tape.

Can a laminate countertop be cut with a table saw?

The perfect method for cutting laminate is to use a table saw but ensure there’s a 60-tooth carbide blade. You have to have a high tooth count on the blade to make an impeccable cut. For cutting, it’s crucial that the blade cuts down into the laminate into its face.

Can I use an oscillating tool to cut laminate countertops?

Make the cut To prevent damaging the laminate countertop, use a reverse-cutting jigsaw blade. These blades have teeth that cut on the downstroke instead of the upstroke. In these instances, use a fine-tooth blade in an oscillating multitool.

Can you cut Formica with a utility knife?

A utility knife can be used to make scoring cuts on Formica. 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.

What tool do you use to cut Formica?

Use a circular saw or laminate shears to cut the Formica into large pieces. Do not try to cut a curve with a circular saw.

What is the standard cut out for a kitchen sink?

Setting the Standard The average kitchen sink measures 22-by-30 inches. While the front-to-back dimensions of the sink remain standard due to the size of most countertops and cabinets, the width of different types of sinks can vary dramatically.

Can you cut laminate countertop with a utility knife?

Plastic laminate is a durable, waterproof covering often used for kitchen and bathroom countertops. You can use several tools to cut laminates, including a table saw or handheld power saw, a utility knife, a router or a hand slitter. The best cutting approach depends on whether you’re rough cutting or finishing edges.

What is the best tool to cut a laminate worktop?

What is the best tool to cut a laminate worktop? A circular saw is often the best option to cut laminate worktops. Make sure the blade is sharp (replace the blade if you have been using it for a while) and suitable for fine cuts—it should cut through the worktop without any issue.

Can you cut worktop with Jigsaw?

The Bosch T101BR jigsaw blade is an ideal choice for cutting laminate materials. The blade cuts on the down stroke, not on the upstroke, the “R” in the product code referring to its “reversed” teeth. This is a popular blade often referred to as a worktop blade.

Can I cut Formica with a jigsaw?

Formica is best cut with a fine-tooth carbide circular saw or jigsaw blade. If you start cutting from the back side, the saw teeth can leave a chipped or jagged edge on the finished surface.

Can you use a table saw to cut countertop?

Therefore, you could use a table saw, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw or a jigsaw (ideal for curved cuts). As far as the blade is concerned, you should choose one with a fine high teeth count and long enough to cut trough the counter top (if it is also carbide tipped it would be great).

Can you cut countertop in place?

Cutting Countertops in Place It may be possible to cut countertops that are already in place to accommodate new appliances or cabinets. Use masking tape to mark the area you plan to cut, then choose your saw.

Can you cut laminate with multitool?

If you’re good at using the multi tool, you can get along pretty well. Most Laminate flooring requires only that you score the top layer, and then it will break pretty cleanly.

What is plunge cut?

May 11, 2016. When you need to cut a shape inside a piece of wood, a plunge cut is pretty much your only choice. Typically, you might use a drill with a small bit to bore a hole that you can drop your jigsaw blade into to start cutting.