What is the best way to cut formica countertop?

Question

I am concerned about what type of saw should be used and what type of blade? How do I prevent it from cracking or splintering?

Answer 1

when cutting Formica always cut from the back side. use masking tape on front side in the center of scribed lines. cut Formica with a fine tooth finish blade on your skill saw , always cut slightly larger than area to receive Formica . after gluing down use your router with a Formica bit to finish and trim rough edges. The best bit is one with a bearing wheel on the bottom of cutter. this will prevent accidental gouging. also if you are using as a counter top with Formica finished edges be sure edges are set in place first. hint use a small piece of scrap to practice on it really is not that hard.

Answer 2

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RE:
What is the best way to cut formica countertop?
I am concerned about what type of saw should be used and what type of blade? How do I prevent it from cracking or splintering?

Answer 3

How To Cut Formica

Answer 4

There are blades for standard rotary saws made for formica or laminate counters. The best thing to do is put Masking tape over the area that needs cutting, and put the line on the tape-this prevents splitting. Then cut and remove tape.

Jim

Answer 5

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Often the appliance or item to be installed in the new hole will have a "flange" or rim which will conceal the cut edge of the opening. If the edge of the opening will not be concealed a router with a special bit will work well and minimize creating a damaged edge. One of several brands of rotary saw will work well too. It is also possible to cut an opening by hand if the installation will conceal the edge. I would STRONGLY recommend practicing on similar material first if you have never cut counter top before.

Answer 6

Upside down with a sharp blade in a circular saw. You can tape the formica side. For sink cut outs, I mark the underside, cut the straight sides with a circular saw and the corners with a jigsaw.

Answer 7

The cleanest way is to use a router as the other person said.....Use a straight cutting bit. But also need more info. Is it on the cabinet, off the cabinet, does it have a back-splash????
Too much can go wrong if you don't know what you are doing.....

Answer 8

There are nibblers that can cut through on a straight or curved line. There are also scribers that can scratch through the front and the back and permit snapping the sheet off.

Either way you need to follow up with a laminate trimmer or trimming bit on a router to clean up the edge.

Answer 9

Router is the best way to cut it clean, first you will want to cut it close with a panneling blade on your skill saw(close I mean with in a inch on all sides) you should put the sides on first so that when you make the top cut with your router it will be finished! Good Luck!

Answer 10

I would have to say a router it makes a clean smooth cut,you can clamp a straight edge to the material to guide your cut line square. I always cut a little larger and trim after installing.