Can I cut Corian or other solid-surface products with wood-working tools?
I am making a bathroom countertop to sit on a standard 48 inch base cabinet. But the top needs to be 52 inches wide, which is a non-standard length. I can either order a custom-length countertop, or for half that price I can order the next-larger standard length and cut it to the length that I need.
Can you cut it with standard saw blades, or do you have to use carbide? Do you get a lot of chipping out?
Thanks for any help
Bob Chapman
Replies
Bob,
wood working tools are fine, I've used carbide when ever I've worked with Corian.
Works just like it should.
Vince Carbone
Vince,
Thanks.
Bob
Vince is right. Remember the obvious and wear glasses and at least a dust mask. I will ad to go slower with the cutting and routering than you might with the wood. Lesser chance of chipping.
Neither cold, nor darkness will deter good people from hastening to the dreadful place to quench the flame. They do it not for the sake of reward or fame; but they have a reward in themselves, and they love one another.
-Benjamin Franklin
Does anyone these days not use carbide blades? Aside from the occasional plywood blade for luan, why would anyone save a few bucks by buying steel stamped blades? (or router bits?)
JT
I buy the HSS router bits ( rabbeting style) and grind new profiles, such as a 5/16 radius roundover..or ogee when a 3/8ths is too large to match an existing profile.
Watch making a single wing cutter outta a 2 wing, it can get dicey at full speed..balance the grind, but leave one cutting edge proud of the other
Think hogger and finisher when ya grind the bit.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
"Do you get a lot of chipping out?"
usually none with a nice new/sharp blade and some tape on the cut line ... just like cutting plywood .... but ... as with wood ... if I can flip it and cut with a circular saw from the "bad side" ... no worries at all.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa