Cutting laminate

[Itzkwik]

Shouldn't be too long before I'm finished with the sheetrock and painting. Then I get to start building my cabinets. I've got three sheets of laminate that are 4' x 10' that I'll be using on them. Looking for a good way to cut them down to the 30" width size before using the router with a laminate trimming bit. What do y'all suggest for rough cutting the laminate? Plywood blade in a circular saw, electric shears, jigsaw, ??

[mulepackin]

Finally, a topic I do know something about. I spent alot of time in a cabinet, millwork shop and do alot of cabinet and countertop work in my own shop. I use a Crain laminate scoring tool to cut my laminate down to workable size first. It is basically a carbide tooth mounted at an angle in a plastic handle. I clamp a straight edge over my laminate onto my table saw outfeed table, score about 3-4 passes, at least through the colored layer, unclamp and then fold the laminate into the score. The opposite of scored glass. I use the table saw for cutting to width after I've cut down managable pieces this way. You could cut every thing with this tool if you wanted to. Practice on some scrap first if possible till you get the feel of it. You can also a router with an 1/8" straight cutting bit using a straight edge, just offset for the setback on the router edge to bit distance. Whatever you decide, try to make your cuts a short as possible, i.e. cut to length first out of the 4x10, then cut your width, if that makes sense.

[Itzkwik]

Thanks for the info. There's a cabinet supply house in town. I'll check to see if they stock the Crain or similar scoring tool. :thumbup:

[Big_John]

Home Depot has the scoring tool.

[jwith68]

In a pinch, a utility knife will work, but you will need several of the heavy duty blades. Laminate destroys them fast.

[cubevandude]

Good quality tin snips work great for cutting laminate to rough sizes. Just draw a line and cut!

[l_bilyk]

I would use a high tooth count blade, with a mild hook angle and a "rounded" top bevel, for a lack of a better word. You shouldnt have to use a trimmer if you use the correct blade.