A friend of mine asked me to build a countertop for her buisness…so,even though im a framer by trade,i cant resist the urge to do something different..i would try to search the archives,but i have yet to understand the new format..anyways my question is …do i lamintate the coutertop first and then go back and cut the holes out..and if i do,what tool would be the best for the job..btw..the holes are two 5″ and two 1″1/2 diameter… thank you….
Jason
Replies
Cut the holes out after your done. Use a hole saw for the small ones. Use a jig saw for the 5" hole.
I actually have a tiny bit of experience here (literally a tiny amount), so take this advice at your own risk.
Rich Beckman
Like Rich said cut the holes last. I have ton of experience with laminated tops.
Dave
I to have alittle time in at laminating and FWIW cut the holes first. If they should happen to be incorrect it's an easy fix.
Cutting the laminate with a flush cutting bit around the holes is easy and you don't risk cracking the laminate turning the top instantly into trash.
But then again 20 years of inhaling laquer thinner and contact fumes may have impaired my judgement
wouldnt the jigsaw chip the laminate?............
jason
Last time I did it (last week), I had a fine tooth blade ("fine cutting wood" or something like that) and had no problems at all. Kind of a strange blade. The teeth pointed straight out...no up or down. I think it was a craftsman blade (Christmas present...). Nice,clean cut.
Rich Beckman
jason,
I duct tape the cut lines and use a fine tooth downcut blade.
KK
Ditto the above.I've done hundreds of tops..
Lam first, duct tape the holes to allow drawing from templates or the faucet holes etc.(I have seen two different templates from two "identical" sinks) use downcutting jiggy-blades and go slow, have someone hold the cutout so it doesn't fall and damage the hole;use clamps or third and fourth hands.
Always have the sinks and fixtures on hand that you are going to use.....templates are not always enough....cheers,Phil
If it is to be, 'twil be done by me..
Edited 4/8/2002 11:50:05 AM ET by Philter
Skill use to have a jigsaw blade that was for cutting laminate. Small set in the teeth and cut on the down stroke.
I have cut sink holes before laminating, but only if I had the sink setting in my shop to check the template. I cut one once from the cardboard template on the "new sink" box that a customer had purchased. Fortunately I kept the template and it fit the hole, which the sink did not. Got it right the second time, but the customer paid for a valuable lesson for me.
If you want a trully chip free cutout, use a router and template guide. I also cut holes with a holesaw, up to four inches.
If anyone can find those Skill laminate cutting jigsaw blades, post a link. I bought mine almost twenty years ago, and I only have two left of the original fifty I purchased. Maybe Bosh? Don't they own Skill now?
Dave
bought a set of vermont american laminate jigsaw blades by accident. have not tried them. should though, whmbo would love it. Old Pro, not quite old, not quite pro, but closer every day on both...
Bosch makes them. (BTW-Love my Bosch saber saw!)
John Svenson, Builder, Remodeler, NE Ohio (Formerly posted as JRS)
Turn the top over and cut it from the back side...
I use a Bosch T101B blade. Its sharpened like a Japanese saw (teeth ground to the inside, no set to the teeth) and has polished sides. It cuts on the upstroke, and I have never had a chip to the laminate from it. I cut the holes after laminating and installation to ensure that any tweaking to fit the countertop won't cause misalignmen of sink, etc. location.
be prepared to cut in more holes, I can remember a couple projects ago, (office), they couldn't get it right. Another one here, please, oh, the cords need to go thru the legs.... etcetc