How do I cut a laminate board and which circular saw blade should I use?

Laminate worktops are making a comeback these days. This will come as a surprise to many out there, and the general perception of laminate countertops only screams for the 70s and 80s and gives people a sense of equity.

But the trend is changing. Nowadays, laminate worktops are much more advanced than the old ones in terms of both appearance and design. They last significantly longer than many other materials and, above all, are surprisingly cheap.

Laminate countertops are a particularly popular choice for do-it-yourselfers, and that’s mainly due to their DIY-friendly nature. You can cut them to fit your design. Here we look at how to cut a laminate countertop like a pro without causing a mess.

You may need a saw to do this, but it may be more difficult to cut with a hand saw. Laminate is practically a collection of thin layers of paper that are bonded together by resin. A circular saw could be the tool for cutting laminate, not only because of its robustness, but also because of its practicality and for a faster cutting process.

In addition to cutting laminate worktops, we also help you select the right saw blade so that you can cut the laminate much more comfortably. Let’s get started straight away!

Choose the right blade for the job

When cutting laminate, it is not only important to know how to cut a laminate board, but also which tools you are using. A good quality circular saw will most likely suffice, although this is not as easy as choosing the right saw. In addition to knowing how to cut laminate worktops, you also need the right tools for the job.

It doesn’t matter what type of circular saw you will be using. If you don’t use the right blades, you will also have difficulty cutting the laminate properly. Some blades are better for cutting different materials, and there are also blades that are better for cutting laminate.

Fortunately, laminate is not the hardest material to cut, and a normal blade for cutting wood should be more than enough. However, when cutting hardened materials, you may need to use diamond blades, which are more expensive. For example for cutting granite.

But here we focus exclusively on the blades that can cut laminate. There are several factors to consider when choosing a blade, such as: B. the number of teeth on the blade, the sharpness and size of the teeth and the material of the blade. Here are the best blades you can buy for your circular saw to cut laminate.

Festool 496309 Laminate 48-tooth saw blade

Put simply, the Festool Laminate 48-tooth saw blade is one of the best blades you can use to cut laminate. These blades were specially made for cutting laminate and are also suitable for the most robust types of laminate.

This blade has 48 teeth and all are equipped with hard metal, which makes them much more durable than normal teeth. It has a trapezoidal tooth design that makes cutting much more comfortable, and the cutting also becomes much smoother.

Freud D1050X Diablo 10-inch 50-tooth

If you’re looking for a balance between performance and price, you can’t go wrong with the Freud Diablo blade. The D1050X version of the blade has 50 10-inch teeth that cut through even the toughest laminate materials.

The blade is also very versatile, since it is not only suitable for cutting laminate, but also for wood materials such as plywood, oak and delicate molded parts. There is also an 80-tooth version, the D1080X, with which you can work even more precisely.

Bosch DCB1072 Daredevil 10-inch 72-tooth circular saw blade

The Bosch 72-tooth blade is a good choice for high-quality performance. This not only allows you a lot of precision and smooth processing, but is also very robust and designed for quality. The steel blade body and hard metal teeth give you many years for this blade. The carbide finish ensures that the blade is suitable for tough materials and 72 teeth are included, giving you more precision and strength. The maximum speed of the blade is 6000.

Makita A-93681 10-inch 80 tooth micro polished miter saw blade

Now we should not only focus on the brands, but with Makita you know what you get: highest quality at a reasonable price and a large selection of blades. This 80 tooth blade is an excellent choice for cutting laminate as well as hardwood, plywood and softwood.

Don’t be fooled by the small look of the blade. While it appears to be smaller than some other blades, performance is likely to be even better. This is because the blade is made of steel and the tips are made of hard metal. The number of teeth saves you a lot of time and enables more precise surfaces.

Concord Blades SLM1000T080SP 10 ″ 80 Tooth Single-sided laminate Non-stick coated blade

This blade offers perhaps the most advanced technology on the market. The blade body is cut precisely and has thermal expansion slots, which means that the sword always runs cool. In addition, the low-friction vents prevent the blades from sticking, and the sound-absorbing polar filter reduces the vibration and noise of the blade. All in all, an excellent choice for cutting laminate.

DEWALT DW3106P5 60-tooth

Although this blade is a bit more sensitive than some other blades on this list, it still offers an excellent cutting experience. DeWalt is known for producing the highest quality woodworking tools, and this blade is no exception.

It is known for its precision and relative strength for its size, which is not easy to achieve with blades. With this blade you can cut through laminate very quickly.

Freud D12100X saw blade

For the highest quality, you should definitely consider this Freud blade. We have already listed a Freud blade on this list, but it is arguably the highest quality blade. You can use it to make thin cuts, but they are strong enough to make cuts immediately. It has a non-stick coating with a Parma shield and laser-cut stabilizer openings.

All of these features protect the blade from heating and allow you to use it for a long time without sticking. This is undoubtedly one of the best blades, and you can make precise cuts when cutting laminate.

How to cut laminate countertops with a circular saw

Now for the meat and potatoes of the article – how to cut a laminate board with a circular saw with a saw blade described above. Follow these steps to make everything easier.

Perform measurements

The importance of preparation should not be ignored, especially with such delicate tasks as cutting laminate countertops. First measure the distance from the saw blade to the edge of this shoe. This makes it easier for you to use a fence when cutting, and the sword lies against the fence for more precision.

Tip: Add a 1/16 inch to your measurements to make more room for errors. Irregularities and flaking in the laminate can be sanded off later with a belt sander.

These measurements form the basis for further tasks.

Place the tape over the cut line

The next step is an essential preventative measure to take before you start cutting. Place the masking tape over the cutting line. This prevents damage to the countertop you are cutting, such as B. Splinters and other types of imperfections. You can easily scratch the countertop while cutting, so adequate protection is critical.

If you cut off the worktop, your life will be much easier if you move it away from the wall. However, this may be easier said than done, as it can involve all sorts of other tasks, such as: B. separating the sink lines and separating the fasteners. However, if you can, you should do so to have more space to work.

Cut the worktop

After you have completed all measurements and other tasks, you should be ready to start cutting the laminate. You want to align the inner part of the blade with the previously drawn cutting line. Mark the side of the saw guard behind the inner edge of the blade.

To make it easier, lay a piece of 1 x 2 inch wood flat on the countertop and align it with the mark that represents the edge of the saw guide. Remember to keep the wood out of the area between the cut line and the guide mark.

You should use a thin cutting blade, one of those described above. To get the feel of the blade, you should do some practice cuts in other areas. Then slowly start cutting with a steady motion until you have cut through the entire countertop. Hopefully you can create a nice, precise line with no chipping.

Sand the Edge

To iron out any defects during the cutting process, you need to use a 3-inch belt sander with a fine-grain carbide belt and sand the laminate on the line.

Complete the task

Image source: Case Design / Remodeling, Inc.

Finally, you need to apply some kind of glue that the supplier usually gives away in the packaging. Then let it dry and later cut precisely with a utility knife.

Final thoughts on how to cut a laminate board

So there you have it, so cut the laminate board with a circular saw. All it takes is patience, precision and good preparation to get the job done.

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