Cutting Formica Countertop With Circular Saw

Using a circular saw to cut formica 1.

Cutting formica countertop with circular saw.

Measure the distance from the blade on your circular saw to the edge of its shoe. Measure the area you wish to laminate with a tape measure. The jigsaw thus helps in cutting the countertop without damaging the adjoining wall. Most of the cutting is done with power saws while the finishing is carried out with a power jigsaw.

Use your saw to cut slowly along the whole line to cut the countertop. Mark off the line you want to cut using masking tape and make sure to leave a bit of extra room for overhang which you can later cut off. Push the saw along the line through to the end. How to cut formica countertops without chipping when working with unmounted formica countertops start by placing the counter laminate side up on your saw horses.

Measure the length of your cut at the top and bottom of your counter. You will want to clamp a 1 2 to use as a rip fence. Use this measurement so that the saw rests against the fence and the blade is lined up with your mark. Cutting formica countertops to size involves sawing both the formica sheet and the particle board layer that gives the counter its strength.

A circular saw is good for making longer cuts. The jigsaw is by far one of the most convenient and cost effective tools for cutting formica. Press down the power button of your circular saw to get the blade up to full speed first. Purchase the size of formica sheet that fits best for your project.

Place the blade carefully against the start of the cut line and the outside edge of the saw guard up against the wooden guide fence. This way if there is any minor chipping to the laminate then you can sand it out with the belt sander and the counter will still be the correct size. Add 1 16th of an inch to your measurement so that your cut is actually a little wide of the mark. A circular power saw with 40 teeth is ideal for cutting these countertops.

Then connect the marks with a strip of thick masking tape which will protect the laminate from tears. There is a myriad of other options you can employ to cut and customize formica as well. Mark the cutting line on the formica with a pen or pencil. 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.

A sawhorse is used as a platform or base for cutting countertops out of formica. Used with a 40 toothed carbide blade the circular saw works efficiently at cutting formica.