If you need to cut a postform laminate countertop in the field you could try freehanding the awkward cuts and hope you don t screw it up but there s a better way.
Cutting post formed laminate countertop.
These tops are pre laminated in 8 10 and 12 foot lengths at a postforming plant and shipped to a countertop fabricator.
The laminate is rolled over to create a single unbroken laminate face.
How to cut laminate countertop diy this is a short video demonstrating how to cut laminate formica countertop without chipping with a circular saw.
Cutting countertops to length on site with a circular saw is a challenge that requires two perfectly aligned cuts.
In this case you re cutting from the bottom side of the countertop using a standard up cutting blade.
Cutting a post form laminate countertop to length requires a clean straight cut.
The best diy tool for the job is a circular saw with a fine tooth carbide blade made for laminate the same blades are typically sold for non ferrous metals and other types of plastics.
You use a down cutting blade for sink cutouts see below.
Postform laminate countertops are made with a pre formed backsplash and edges so that the laminate can be rolled over to create a single directional seamless piece of laminate.
Clamp the tool far enough from the cutting line so the.
You can also use a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade.
The laminate end cap can be removed by heating with a clothes iron and peeling off but be careful not to overheat the laminate or it will bubble.
Jeff johnson from glen allen va has made a cutting guide that has a 90 degree angle in it so that he can ensure a flush cut both horizontal and vertical first time every time.
Start at the end of your countertop and measure how long the counter needs to be.
Allow an overhang of 1 inch on the end of the counter and leave a 1 8 inch gap where appliances like a dishwasher will be so you have room to install them.
Measure and layout the mitre cover the layout with clear packaging tape on the back side cover the laminate side with clear packaging tape flip the countertop over so that the laminate side is down the saw blade is cutting up start the cut from the backsplash side and make the cut in one go.
Use wood clamps to hold a straightedge tool on the back of the post form countertop to use as a jig or guide for cutting a straight edge.
A lot of my remodeling projects use off the shelf post formed countertops.
These cuts are complicated further by the need to raise and lower the saw to negotiate the scribe strip and the front lip.
Postform countertops are different from custom laminate countertops for this reason.
