Cutting Plastic Laminate Sheets

You can do it with a circular saw a jigsaw a router or even some hand tools.

Cutting plastic laminate sheets.

Cutting away this piece of laminate countertop and replacing it with a new. Cutting plastic laminate sheets plastic laminate can chip or peel over time particularly along the edges of a countertop. Use your straightedge and utility knife to cut along the line as accurately as possible. Once you install the formica use a jigsaw to do any trimming or make any round cuts.

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. 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. Laminate sheet finish options go glossy for a shiny finish. Choose surface designs like stone look patterns abstract and wood laminate sheets.

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 sheets come in every color and pattern imaginable. Sketch out your laminate sheet on paper and draw in the pieces you intend to cut from a single sheet.

Draw all pieces at least inch larger in all directions than is actually needed. Then grip the wasted area of formica and lift it up slightly. Shift the score line to the table edge and break the laminate again. Cutting an assembled laminate countertop is a little trickier and this is best done with power tools and great care.

Use the utility knife first as it will provide a good clean cut. Turn the laminate one quarter turn and align the square along the next cut line. Be very careful not to get your fingers in the way of the blade. 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.

Find laminate sheets at lowe s today. Cutting 96x34 or any size sheets of pfl with a straight edge and a trim router. Step 4 cut the sheet. Then put masking tape on the cutting line lay the formica on a flat surface and cut along the lines.

You can really get the look you want solids metallics multicolored even soft pinks and bright reds. Repeat for any additional cuts.