How to cut an access panel in formica?

May 05, 2006 9 Replies
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First reply

Thomas Kendrick

Given the size of the access door, I would use a thin kerf circular saw blade to make the initial cuts. Just draw the rectangle for the door with straight sides and set the saw depth for 3/8" so that you cut a groove that does not penetrate to the other side. Do this for all 4…

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L

Can anyone suggest the best way for me to cut an access door (maybe



12-18" square) in the back panel of a large worksurface? The panel is .5" particle board with some type of laminate like formica.

I know I can just drill a hole, then get a saber saw and cut the hole. But I would prefer not to leave a hole. My hope is to be able to "re-attach" the cut out part in some fashion after I fix the phone line and make it look as nice as possible. That is, (a) the thinnest, straightest possible cut, (b) the least damage to the surrounding laminate, and (c) a good way to re-attach it afterwards.



Thanks


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T

You might want to use a "down-cut" jigsaw blade to complete the cuts. Maybe even use painters tape over the cuts to help prevent chipping the laminate. I think. Tom

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L

Use the painters tape before the cut? That is, cut through the tape?

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L

Why not set the saw blade to cut all the way through?

I only have access to one side unless I unload the entire worksurface and pull it away from the wall. There is maybe 4" between the back panel and the wall.

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N

Have you thought about fishing a new phone line without cutting the back panel at all?

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T

Are you fixing a phone line or do you need the access door for some other purpose as well?

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L

I think that would be a lot more work. It's in a home office on the second floor on an interior wall.

I need the access panel anyway to retrieve pens and pencils and gum drops that fall back there! ;-)

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L

At the moment, just to fix the phone line. But I also have a lot of power cords and cat5 cables back there. It would be handy to have an access panel. I have wanted one on several other occasions. I thought about taking the back panel to someone to make an access panel when I first bought the unit. Shoulda, coulda, woulda...

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T

LurfysMa wrote:Use the painters tape before the cut? That is, cut through the tape? Yes, exactly. Tom

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