Cutting melamine

Dec 19, 2009 7 Replies
D

I need to cut a piece of melamine the same size (5x4) as my assembly table (which has a small sag in the middle). I need a very flat surface for a pretty long (64") glue up. I am going to have to cut the sheet on my second "workshop" - my driveway. I put 4x8 sheets down on two pieces of 2x4 hard foam insulation and cut with a circular saw. The cuts don't have to be perfect but I hate to a make a mess if I don't need to. A little web research says to lay it white side down with packing tape over the cut line. I should possibly score the cut line.



Is there anything else I should be doing to have a reasonble job?



TIA



Dick Snyder


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Use a blade rated for cutting melamine. I cut some back/sidesplash for a melamine countertop and got a reasonably good edge (been over a mont and my wife hasn't noticed any obvious flaws yet). Not sure which blade I used, but think it was a Freud.

John

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The tape is a good way to keep chip-out to a minimum, as is the good side down, too. May I also suggest you make a couple of practice cuts and find out how well they work out. I've gotten good results by having the good side up, tape on both sides, a preliminary scoring cut (

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P

More teeth is the trick with a circular saw. Pick up a plywood blade from the borg. or You can use any blade handy and overcut by a 1/8" and then clean that edge with a router.

A 96 tooth from Freud that is made for melamine is the real answer if you plan on many project using melamine.

Dick Snyder wrote:

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