Cutting laminate

[Sam_Steele]

I am refitting my galley at the moment and have bought some laminate for the work top. What is the best way to cut it?

I wanted to get some contact adhesive to glue it onto wood but couldn't find any in B&Q. They had impact adhesive - is it the same - if not where can I get contact adhesive?

thanks
sam

 

[Vara]

Try HERE

Same group as B&Q.

To cut straight lines I score with blade and then snap (similar technique as tiles),get more laminate than you need and practise.

For curves I use pad saw and finish curve with file. THIS SITE gives guidance

 

[davidwf]

You cut it like tiles, score it on the shiny side and then support it just behind where you want it to break and gently press down. Try on a scrap piece first its very easy.

I think Impact adhesive is same as contact. In any case Evosticks what you want.

 

[jh001ace]

In B&Q you have to take glue card to the check out, they will then give you the glue, stops the glue sniffers getting there grubby hands on the stuff. Yes evostick is fine. spread it thinly on both surfaces, wait for it to go tacky and then fit togther, making sure it's in the right place - you won't get it apart if you have applied the glue properly.

For cutting the laminate you can buy tungsten cardide tiped knives to score the laminate and then snap on the cut. If the new top you are going to fit is removed the best wey to trim it is with a laminate trimming bit in a router - does a great job.

Beat advice - practice on an off-cut first! Laminate tears real easy especially in corners.

 

[tugboat]

I usually size the laminate about 10mm too big all round and glue it to the ply leaving the 10mm overlap on all sides. When the glue has properly cured I finish with a small block plane which gives good control while taking the excess off quite quickly.

 

[sailorman]

same stuff.
apply 2 cts to each surface ( not too thickly )
get some lathes ( sticks) & lay onto fixed surface( after adhesive is touch dry)
lay laminate over lathes & align, remove laths one @ a time carefully & press laminate firmly down in place.
lathes stop things sticking in the worng place.
dont be tempted to place together too soon .
cut with small saw ( Gents back saw ) or hack-saw blade snapped to length req & make/ form handle with masking tape.
if cutting & finishing by hand i would allow say 6m/m all round to trim
trim as tugboat + file to finish-off

 

[Mudplugger]

Can't remember the code number, but Bosch do downward cutting jigsaw blades which remove the possibilities of chipping the upper laminate..... as in process of fitting out hull, with loo bulkheads lined with formica, allows you to cut without any hassle using jigsaw!.... Ipswich Plastics do them as well as own brand contact adhesive ( Apollo) @ £20.00 per 5 l. which is a lot less than Thixofix!! HTH

 

[john_morris_uk]

I watched a boat builder making cabinets and interior items with laminate. He cut the laminate oversize, glued it down with contact adhesive and then used a router with a trimming bit (its got a bearing the same size as the cutting blade so follows the edge exactly) to trim the laminate to the shape of the items he's covered.

Very quick and easy and a very neat job!