How to cut a laminate counter top?

[MSilver]

I have a laminate kitchen countertop that needs shortening I believe the type is known as post form It is particle board base with laminate on top, with a backsplash.

What is the best way to cut it - Hand saw or Circular power saw?

My thoughts are to cut with a hand saw, top up, pulling down on the saw

- pre-taping the cut line

I have two counters to do - cutting 8" off a 4' length, and and 3" off a

10' length

Then next trick will be cutting the sink hole from the big one, but I have found lots of articles on that.

Thanks in advance

Matt

[RayV]

Go here and follow step 3 unless you have a RAS.

[Leon]

I would cut with a router, straight edge and FROM THE BACK SIDE.

[Pat Barber]

[Peter Huebner]

Unless you have a specialist sawblade with negative rake I'd go with Leon on this one: use a router with a straightedge.

I've one of those blades for my skilly - they're sold as carbide tipped aluminium cutting blades here - and that manages to get through veneered mdf and melamine without too much chipping. Sometimes it still needs cleanup afterwards though.

If you don't have a good router either, then I'd suggest clamping a straightedge to the top, very firmly, and decisively scoring the laminate, deeply, then making the cut just a little back from the score and sanding/planing back to it after.

f.w.i.w. -Peter

[CM]

We cut them all the time with a circular saw and a straight edge. We cut them from the back side. Blade doesn't matter much although we do use carbide tipped.

cm

[Tim W]

[...]>

Actually rough cut it to within about 3-6mm with anything then finish the edge with a router. Not necessarily from the back but so that the router cuts into the post-formed rolled front edge and doesn't mess it up. That's from the top for a RH end and from the bottom for a LH end.

Tim w

[giga]

I recently did the same operation on my counter, in place. I used my Bosch jigsaw with a straightedge guide clamped to the counter. With the right blade, you'll get a beautiful cut with absolutely no chipping of the laminate. When the saw's foot hit the backsplash, I pivoted the saw up on it's heel, and finished the job.

Bob