Help with cuting Melamine Panels

[Christopher Mooney]

I am looking for some advice for what to do on a project I have started. I am trying to cut some Weyerhauser Melamine panels for a shelving system to go in the utility room. My problem is that when I get about halfway through the 16" panel, the blade starts to bind up in the cut and it begins to burn the panel. I got through the cut but really mangled the last three to four inches. BTW I am using a Circular Saw with a DeWalt Laminates Blade.

What am I doing wrong? Would it be better just to borrow some time on my friend's RAS, or do they even cut that wide? What would you suggest?

Thanks! :)

Chris Mooney

[dave]

[Mike]

I am not sure but the laminate blade I have has a shoulder on it. If so, set the cutting depth so that the shoulder of the blade in not into the kerf. with mine, I had to learn the hard way.

[bay area dave]

maybe you aren't supporting the cutoff properly. That can cause the kerf to close up and it gets worse as you have more unsupported material as the cut progresses.

dave

Christ> I am looking for some advice for what to do on a project I have

[Pat Barber]

[Pat Barber]