Cutting Plastic Laminate Sheets

The formica should break off and leave a good cut.

Cutting plastic laminate sheets.

You can really get the look you want solids metallics multicolored even soft pinks and bright reds. Turn the laminate one quarter turn and align the square along the next cut line. Cutting plastic laminate sheets plastic laminate can chip or peel over time particularly along the edges of a countertop. Laminate sheet finish options go glossy for a shiny finish.

You can use several tools to cut laminates including a. Use the utility knife first as it will provide a good clean cut. Cutting 96x34 or any size sheets of pfl with a straight edge and a trim router. Draw all pieces at least inch larger in all directions than is actually needed.

Use your straightedge and utility knife to cut along the line as accurately as possible. Step 4 cut the sheet. Shift the score line to the table edge and break the laminate again. Once you install the formica use a jigsaw to do any trimming or make any round cuts.

Plastic laminate is surprisingly easy to cut. Cutting away this piece of laminate countertop and replacing it with a new. Then put masking tape on the cutting line lay the formica on a flat surface and cut along the lines. Choose surface designs like stone look patterns abstract and wood laminate sheets.

Then grip the wasted area of formica and lift it up slightly. Repeat for any additional cuts. You can do it with a circular saw a jigsaw a router or even some hand tools. 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.

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. Sheets are typically 1 16 inch thick and are usually installed on a substrate of plywood or medium density fiberboard with contact cement. Be very careful not to get your fingers in the way of the blade. 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.

Laminate sheets come in every color and pattern imaginable. Draw the knife across the surface applying firm pressure two or three times.