Cutting Plastic Laminate Sheets

Cutting 96x34 or any size sheets of pfl with a straight edge and a trim router.

Cutting plastic laminate sheets.

You can use several tools to cut laminates including a. Find laminate sheets at lowe s today. Sketch out your laminate sheet on paper and draw in the pieces you intend to cut from a single sheet. To cut formica with a circular saw start by measuring the area you want to laminate with a tape measure and mark the cutting line on the formica with a pencil.

Then put masking tape on the cutting line lay the formica on a flat surface and cut along the lines. Draw all pieces at least inch larger in all directions than is actually needed. Cutting plastic laminate sheets plastic laminate can chip or peel over time particularly along the edges of a countertop. Cutting a sheet laminate by itself is best done with tin snips or aviation snips provided you re cutting it oversize and will trim it later.

Choose surface designs like stone look patterns abstract and wood laminate sheets. Place identical pieces next to each other and allow pieces that are close in size to share edges as well cutting them a little larger if needed to make the fewest cuts possible. Repeat for any additional cuts. You can do it with a circular saw a jigsaw a router or even some hand tools.

Step 4 cut the sheet. Plastic laminate is surprisingly easy to cut. Sheets are typically 1 16 inch thick and are usually installed on a substrate of plywood or medium density fiberboard with contact cement. Laminate sheet finish options go glossy for a shiny finish.

Cutting an assembled laminate countertop is a little trickier and this is best done with power tools and great care. Draw the knife across the surface applying firm pressure two or three times. Turn the laminate one quarter turn and align the square along the next cut line. The formica should break off and leave a good cut.

Use the utility knife first as it will provide a good clean cut. Once you install the formica use a jigsaw to do any trimming or make any round cuts. Be very careful not to get your fingers in the way of the blade. You can really get the look you want solids metallics multicolored even soft pinks and bright reds.

Shift the score line to the table edge and break the laminate again. Laminate sheets come in every color and pattern imaginable.