This article was co-authored by Eric Shipe. Eric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
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Formica is a versatile, plastic laminate that comes in a wide range of colors, textures, and finishes. Using Formica allows a homeowner to customize an area with a laminate that is durable and easy to clean. Learning how to cut Formica correctly can save a lot of wasted time and money as sometimes the laminate will want to crack or flake. A few easy steps before actually cutting the Formica can help make your do-it-yourself job look like a professional installation job. There are 2 ways to cut Formica, either with a jigsaw or a laminate router bit. Follow the steps below to learn more about both methods.
Steps
Using a Circular Saw to Cut Formica
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1Purchase the size of Formica sheet that fits best for your project. Formica sheets are between 1/16 and 1/32 of an inch (.15 and .08 cm) thick. Sheets can be 3, 4, and 5 feet (.9, 1.22, and 1.52 m) wide and 8, 10, and 12 feet (2.44, 3.05, 3.66 m) long. The smallest sheet available is generally a 3x8 feet (.9x2.44 m); however, some home improvement stores offer scrap bins if your project is small.
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2Measure the area you wish to laminate with a tape measure.[1]Advertisement
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3Mark the cutting line on the Formica with a pen or pencil.[2]
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4Place masking tape on the cutting line. Use extra layers of tape at the edge of the Formica where the saw will first start the cut. If the line is not visible through the tape, remeasure and remark on top of the masking tape.[3]
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5Lay the Formica on a flat, rigid surface.[4]
- You can use a scrap piece of plywood or OSB as a table to cut Formica. The surface you use will probably be scored by the saws, so be sure that what you are using is safe to cut on and can get damaged.
- Cement would not be a good surface to cut on.
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6Use a circular saw or laminate shears to cut the Formica into large pieces. Do not try to cut a curve with a circular saw. Cut out the shape's form, and leave the trimming for a finer saw and corners for a saw with a some flexibility.
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7Install the Formica onto the countertop or other location.
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8
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9Use a belt sander with a grit of 100 to smooth the edges. Belt sanders can be heavy to operate, and you may choose to sand the edges by hand or with a small metal file.[7]
Using a Router to Cut Formica
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1Cut the Formica to 1/8 inch (.32 cm) larger than the size needed.[8]
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2Remove any masking tape used for the larger cuts with the circular saw.
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3Install the Formica onto the location.
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4Trim the Formica to the exact size needed. Use a trim router that features a laminate cutting bit.[9]
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you finish Formica edges?
Eric ShipeEric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
Home Improvement SpecialistOnce you have a rough cut done, finish off the edges with a trim router. Attach the Formica sheet to the surface of your choice. There should be a slight overhang; to trim it, place the bearing against that surface, moving the router along the edge until the Formica fits the surface perfectly. Then, sandpaper the edges to finish. -
QuestionHow do you cut Formica with a jigsaw?Eric ShipeEric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
Home Improvement SpecialistUse masking tape to cover the points where you plan to make your cuts. Then, trace over the tape and cut. -
QuestionHow do you cut Formica without chipping it?Eric ShipeEric Shipe is a Kitchen and Bath Designer and the Owner of Bath + Kitchen based in Washington DC. Eric and his team specialize in cabinetry, design, and remodels. They serve homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors with a refined process, creative ideas, 4K photo-realistic renderings, and 360 Panoramic views. Bath + Kitchen was featured in Best of Houzz 2017-2020. Eric holds a BA in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College.
Home Improvement SpecialistCheck if your saw blade is designed to cut laminate or particle board. If you're using a table or circular saw to cut Formica, use a saw blade designed specifically for cutting laminate or particle board. These blades have sharp teeth, which make for cleaner cuts. Try to leave an overhang of up to 1 in (2.54 cm), which you can trim off while finishing the edges.
Things You'll Need
- Formica
- Tape measure
- Pencil or pen
- Masking tape
- Circular saw or laminate shears
- Jigsaw
- Belt sander with 100 grit paper
- Sandpaper or flat metal file (optional)
- Router with laminate trimming bit
References
- ↑ https://home.howstuffworks.com/best-type-circular-saw-blade-cutting-countertop.htm
- ↑ https://www.thesawguy.com/how-to-cut-laminate-countertop/
- ↑ Eric Shipe. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.
- ↑ https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-cut-formica-sheets
- ↑ https://www.homeownershub.com/woodworking/cutting-formica-laminate-with-jigsaw-302876-.htm
- ↑ Eric Shipe. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 11 June 2021.
- ↑ https://diyhousetips.com/how-to-cut-laminate-countertop/
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001646/how-to-use-a-router-to-trim-countertop-laminate-edges
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001646/how-to-use-a-router-to-trim-countertop-laminate-edges
About This Article
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. Then, put masking tape on the cutting line, lay the formica on a flat surface, and cut along the lines. Once you install the formica, use a jigsaw to do any trimming or make any round cuts. Finally, use a belt sander with a grit of 100 to smooth the edges. To learn how to use a router to cut formica, keep reading!
