Cutting laminate query

cubix

I have quite a bit of shelving/flooring to cut which is mdf core and covered in some kind of laminate. I was thinking of pre scoring the cut but its not a runner due to the amount i have to do. I have used my rip circlular saw up to now and while not bad it does chip the laminate. The planks are so wide my chop saw wont cut it in one go which means I have to turn it around and cut the second side which makes for a slightly off cut. Has anyone use this product "Exakt Saw " from JML, does it really work or just a gimic??. IT seems like an interesting tool but because its not a branded tool I wonder what it would be like for spares. Also would really like something that cuts deeper than 12mm

Thanks

Alun

You can get special laminate cutting blades.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=365887&name=laminate&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44

GreeBo

for the flooring make sure that the are cutting the piece right way up depending on the direction your saw rotates. the edge that the saw comes out of will chip, the side it enters probably will not.

Also, what sort of blade are you using, how many teeth?

fm

try cutting them upside down.when cutting laminate worktops this is what you do beginning at seen edge first.or you could put some kind off masking tape on it where you are going to cut.or put two together -seen sides facing each other and cut them

cubix

Thanks lads for all the tips:D. Like the look of that blade Alun, I wonder can they be sorced here with out silly mark ups and any idea would they go into both chop and rip saws. Greebo the blade that is on my circular saw is just the basic one with I think only 24 teeth so I am sure I am not doing myself any favours. Plus the blade Alun linked to is skinner I think. Will try your idea FM but was hoping to get a longer term solution so I can cut down on the work load,but if it stops the chipping will defo use it for now;). Would really appreciate if any chippies are reading in and cut laminate on a regular basis and could tell me what blades they use/where they get them.

Cheers

Alun

Axminster deliver to Ireland very reasonably, possibly even free if it's over ₤45 in value and under 1.5kg in weight, which I'd imagine it would be .. I've bought loads of stuff from them in the past with absolutely no bother, plus their catalogue is pure tool porn

Scottish Offshore Islands, Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Eire Delivery

Consignments over £45 and under 1.5kg are delivered free; delivery on other consignments will be as follows: 1.5kg-30kg £10, 31kg-60kg £35, 61kg-90kg £45. For details of carriage charges on consignments exceeding 90kg please contact our Export Sales department on 01297 33666 for a quotation.

galwaydude18

well using that blade from Axminster wont prevent the chipping on the opposite side of the board.. You need a table saw with a scoring blade underneath to eleminate chipping on both side of the board...

cubix

Great stuff Alun will check it out. GD should get away with one side being chipped as the shelves will be low enough and are black laminate. Having been touching up with black paint up to now and doesnt look to bad. As much as I would like to get one of those table saw's you mentioned dont think I could justife the cost for the amount I would be doing

Alun

From what I've read about these special double sided laminate blades is that although they won't completely eliminate chipping from the underside, they will drastically reduce it .. it'll be much better than the rip blade you're using now anyway.

cubix

I think what ever I were to get would be better than whats on the two saws at the mo. I was in B&Q today for something else and had a look at their bosch fine cut blades which ranged from €100-155 with no mention of been any good for laminate. I think when I am ordering the laminate blade from Axminster I will get a fine tooth one too for cutting the likes of MDF. Am I right in saying that if the bore hole is the same on the circlular rip saw and chop saw that the blade I get will do both??. When using a chop saw is it better to bring the blade down once and then push it back on the runners to cut a wide piece or do first cut, lift the blade/push it back on the runners and then bring the blade down a second time to finish the cut.

Cheers