how to cut laminate countertops?

Answer 1

If the top is off of the cabinet use a router with a straight cutting bit and straight edge. Makes a real clean cut. If it's on, use a skill saw with at least a 40 tooth blade 60 tooth is better and masking tape where the cut is going to be, so you don't have tear out........

Answer 2

First put blue masking tape on the laminate side of the countertop over the cut line. This will help control chipping. Then cut it with a fine toothed circular ("Skill") saw from the back side, using a drywall square for a guide. The circular saw will give you a straight cut and will be square up the backsplash. Some other answers have suggested using a jig saw, but it is much more difficult to get a straight cut with a jig saw.

Answer 3

How To Cut Laminate

Answer 4

The best way to cut laminate countertops is with a fine-toothed plywood cutting blade. This is used to minimize chipping. When cutting, you should always use a saw horse.

A site I've found useful in the past is: http://www.kitchen-counter-tops.net

Answer 5

if the counter is not yet installed, flip it over and cut it with a circular saw equipped with a fine tooth blade. this will prevent the laminate from chipping. if the counter top is already in place then the previouse suggestion of a jig saw with a down cut blade is your best bet. however, a down cut blade will try to push the saw back up at you so you must bear down on the saw much harder than normal.

Answer 6

If it is laminate already glued to a wood backer, then I would use a special jig saw blade that is designed just for this...it cuts on the down-stroke only, to prevent chipping the laminate.

If you are cutting just the laminate, use a scoring blade made for laminates. Cut the piece over-sized by scoring several times and then carefully bending and snapping it along the scored line.

Answer 7

Laminate counter tops are easy for one reason they make a blade for it for your jig saw. the teeth on the blade cut on the down stroke insted or up. drill a hole where you want to cut for a start point and go from there. it its legth your haveing a problem with i would use a circular saw if your comfortable with it.

Answer 8

George is leading you in the right direction, Only thing is I'd leave a little extra.

do your face & sides first then lay your top piece in place.

you may want to do this with an extra set of hands or wodden dowels,Once you set the laminate in place , lift up , & reset it's almost impossible to relift without breaking, therefore precision is the key.

Answer 9

the way everyone else is saying to cut it sounds way too hard for me. i always use a skill saw and some clear tape. you want to buy a new blade with as many teeth as you can. drawl out where you want to cut, then place the clear packing tape over the line. this peals instead of your laminate top. then cut away. this is the fastest method possible.

Answer 10

Rough cut with fine tooth saw, saber saw is fine, leaving about 1/4 inch extra. Then a router edging bit final finishes it in a few minutes per counter top.

Router tool at Lowes about $10 and well worth it.