Best tool for cutting formica

Can you use a laminate trimmer as a router? The bottom line is that the laminate trimmer is essentially a compact router designed for portability and ease of use. While it can be used to trim laminate, it is also suitable for light jobs that traditionally call for a regular router. What direction do you run a router? When you're holding the router in hand with the bit facing downward, it will spin in a clockwise direction. To feed against the bit's rotation then, you'll move the router from right to left when feeding the router along the outside edges of a work- piece.

What does a flush trim router bit do? Flush-Trim Router Bits Flush trim rouer bits as the name suggests, these bits are used to trim the edge of one material flush with the edge of another— for example, trimming a veneered surface flush with a substrate or using a pattern to create multiple identical pieces. What is the best trim router? Variable speed dial control with speeds of 10, to 30, RPM. Ridgid R Laminate Trim Router. How do you cut Formica with a jigsaw? Position the jigsaw on one end of the first cut, with the jigsaw blade at the waste side of the cutting line and the shoe snug against the guide fence.

Start the tool and let the blade run up to speed. Gently ease the running blade into the laminate. This method is also helpful for cutting metal, plastic, vinyl and Naugahyde counter tops. Step Two: Cut through the Formica on all four sides, starting at one corner.

Step Three: Remove the small piece of Formica that you cut out in Step One, and then use the utility knife to cut away any leftover pieces of Formica. Step Five: Hold up the cardboard or thick paper board to the surface, and then tape it to your surface. Step Six: Cut away any excess cardboard or paper from under the Formica, and start cutting!

Step Seven: Once you are finished, hold up the cardboard or paper board on your newly cut Formica countertop! Note: While using an inexpensive utility knife may not be ideal for use, it is valuable to know that such a tool can be used as a suitable replacement for a more expensive cutter, especially on small jobs. This will prevent any chips in the surface of the Formica. Also, be sure to cut the formica countertop facing down, to prevent chipping. If you cut it facing up, the coating is made out of silicone, so chipping will be likely to happen.

Be sure to set the sharpening stone in advance so when you put the blade on the stone it will be slightly dulled already giving you extra flexible control on cutting your countertops at first. Corner of countertop is a special place where you will find also unevenness and roughness on your countertop. The material has a high heat tolerance. Therefore, it requires special tools to cut. The biggest challenge associated with cutting Formica is its tendency to chip.

The result of this would be an ugly, ragged edge on the top layer. The solution lies in the tools you use to cut Formica, and the exact process you use to cut it. A jigsaw, one of the most cost-friendly options today, is an electric handheld tool that can help you produce a smooth and clean finish on Formica.

This works well cutting Formica. The tool has an even metal plate which sits on the material to be cut. The thin blade moves up and down once the trigger is pulled, meaning that you can cut in a curved or straight motion. To cut Formica with a jigsaw, you will need to take adequate measures.

By doing so, the decorative laminate layer is not damaged as you make curves on the supporting material underneath. Cutting Formica to size is all about taking proper measurements and following through with the right jigsaw blade. From our experience, we recommend you use a top-ranking quality jigsaw.

Tip : If you are new to cutting laminates or unfamiliar with the jigsaw or blade you are using, it is a good idea to do some practice of cutting first.

Cutting angles on Formica is closely similar to cutting straight lines. All you need to do is adjust the line and work on finding your desired angle. If you are cutting freehand, take your time and ensure that the cut is as straight as possible. You want the two pieces to look professionally done and clean when combined. Cutting into the interior of a Formica countertop is best done by starting the cut with starter holes.

Tip : Using a small piece of wood with one screw in the center of a cutout to span and hang over a bit of every side will keep your cutout from falling after completing the cut.