Formica sheets?

Question

hey guys i have a table at home that i want to use in the kictken i wanted to put a formica sheet (what they use for worktop vineers) over the top and give it a durable worktop finish, im in the uk so does anyone does where i can buy a sheet of formica or something similar also what type of glue/name of glue would i need to use/attaching process any tips?, and how do i cut it would a stanley knive be adquate? cheers guys

Answer 1

Well, I'm not so sure on where you would buy that in the UK. I would start by looking up any home improvement stores. Here in the US we have Home Depot, Lowes, etc... I'm not exactly sure what businesses you have in the UK like that.

You should be able to order it rough cut about 1cm larger all the way around so you can properly trim it. To install here is what you will need. Contact Cement, 1/2 cm dowels, 6 to 10cm putty knife, a router and a laminate flush trim router bit.

Once you have your piece of laminate, you wanna apply 1 coat of the contact cement with the putty knife to the counter base and one coat to the back side of the laminate.
Next place the dowels about 1ft apart on the base. You should have a dowel at each end of the counter also, about 2 or 3 cm from the edge.
With the dowels in place, place the laminate on top of the dowels, being careful not to have the two sticky surfaces touch just yet. Get it placed correctly and then beging removing the dowels, starting from one end, and working towards the other end. While you are removing each dowel, make sure you are squeezing out any air bubbles that might accumulate. This is also why you used the dowels, but some can show up, just be sure to squeeze them out, should you get any.

Once you are done and the laminate is firmly attached, using the router with the laminate trim bit, you are going to trim away the excess laminate to give it a nice clean edge. Dont worry, the bearing on the end of the router bit will keep you on a straight line. When it comes to doing the front or side edges, do the same as above, but without the dowels, just get your piece centered, stick it on, if its too long be sure you get some help, then trim away the excess with the router.

Answer 2

you buy the sheet at a DIY center, or Builders supply. They are usually 4 feet by 8
Contact cement is used to apply to a freshly sanded and dust free surface
use 2 coats of glue on each side for best results
There are specialized Stanley tools for scribing with a carbide cutter then snapping to cut. take a strip to glue the front edge.. I used to router the edge clean on top before applying the edge. It is fun to use an ogee on the edge for a bit of drama on the edge

To press the sheet down, there is a tool called a J roller, a short armed stick with a roller on it. Use numerous clean sticks to keep the sheet above the top and withdraw them a few at a time, because the glue grabs instantly and powerfully, making re-positioning impossible.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Any general hardware store should be able to help, of look up formica in the yellow pages and ask for a local supplier. Liquid nails or similar selley's product should be enough to hold it down.

Answer 4

Jeff gave you good instructions. The only difference between his method and mine, I use a throw away brush instead of a putty knife to spread my glue. As a do-it-yourself project with no experience, 10 being very difficult and 1 being extremely easy, I'd rate it at least a 7 to 8.

Answer 5

Hardware stores for formica and contact adhesive, (Evo-Stik) or similar, be sure to read instruction regarding adhesive. Cut to just oversize (2/3mm) with fine toothed saw, adhere, allow to stick completely, plane back edges to suit

Answer 6

ask them http://www.formica.co.uk - not sure its available retail though