I need to cut a kitchen counter top.

[RSKY]

While temporarily out of a job I am reworking my mother's kitchen. I have installed new flooring and now we are ready to install new counter tops on the cabinets. We bought the formica tops at a salvage store and I need to trim 7" off a twelve foot long counter. Has anyone done this before? What is the best tool to use. I have a table saw but cannot imagine using it. My nephew has a radial arm saw, or I could use a skilsaw.

 

[hazmat]

skillsaw with good blade along a straightedge clamped to the countertop.

Might want to cut it good side down to reduce chipout on the laminate. Placing masking tape on the laminate will also reduce chipout.

 

[gsganzer]

As Hazmat said. Just use a circular saw with a straight edge. Cut the top from the back side. If your top has a front lip, put in a spacer (piece of plywood the same thickness) to help the saw run level and avoid getting hung up as you cut the lip. If the top has a backsplash, make your straight edge L-shaped, so you can cut the backsplash too. Make the backsplash cut first, so you still have plenty of material to avoid it breaking if it's not supported well. The masking tape and a scored line helps prevent the chipping, as does a finetooth blade and a slow cut.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Skill saw with SHARP blade will do the job. Also, a SHARP handsaw will do good. Hold it at a low angle, almost flat with the top.

 

[Egon]

Consider cutting too long and finishing off with a router. This may be easier on the laminate. ???

 

[EddieWalker]

Cut it like the others said, upside down with a circular saw and a brand new, sharp blade.

The straight edge is the key. Don't cut until you have it positioned exactly right, and then make your first pass very, very shallow. This way you can double check your measurements before you cut all the way through it.

After you get it clamped together and mounted, you might notice a small gap in places, or a chip along the seam. They sell colored caulking at Lowes and Home Depot that you can match to the laminate. Rub some of it in the seam and any gaps you might have. It won't disapear, but it will help to hide it.

Eddie

 

[GaryM]

A few years back I needed to cut 2 inches off the overhanging edge of an installed countertop to clear a new 'fridge.

I applied masking tape and made the cut with a Sawsall and a new finetooth blade. Worked fine. I hit the edge at a slight angle with some silicon carbide paper and it looked fine.

 

[randy41]

i've always used a hand held jigsaw. if you can score the laminate with a utility knife with a fresh blade it will prevent tearout. masking tape applied along the cut edge also helps keep the laminate from getting roughed up.

 

[ToadHill]

My son worked for a counter top company. They put a 2 inch wide strip of masking tape over the area to be cut. Draw the cut line down the middle, cut from the backside, and he said they never have any chipout.

 

[stumpfield]

1st choice: Use router with a straight bit and cut multiple passes.
2nd choice: Score the laminate with a sharp utility knife then cut with a brand new finish blade using the skil saw.

In both cases, protect the surface with masking tape..