Formica

[Graham_Wright]

What is the best way to cut it? It isn't Fomica proper, it is a substitutes but it seems very prone to cracking when cut with scissors.

Would warming it help?

 

[penberth3]

What is the best way to cut it? It isn't Fomica proper, it is a substitutes but it seems very prone to cracking when cut with scissors.

Would warming it help?

I thought it was score it and snap it, the same as glass. Proper tools were available back in the 1960's and 70's.

I'd suggest warming would make it less brittle so that wouldn't help.

 

[Lightwave395]

Depends how big a piece but if practicable then clamping it to wood and using a jigsaw works

 

[Stemar]

Depends how big a piece but if practicable then clamping it to wood and using a jigsaw works

Yes, but use a blade that cuts down, not up. The alternative is to cut oversize, fit it and use a router to trim the edge

 

[jwilson]

I tend to cut it oversize with a mini circular saw, then glue it on and use a router with laminate trim roller blade to trim the edges. Trying to cut it exact is a nightmare. Scoring and snapping CAN work, but it's far too easy to have cracks appear in unwanted lines.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

What is the best way to cut it? It isn't Fomica proper, it is a substitutes but it seems very prone to cracking when cut with scissors.

Would warming it help?

Glass cutter to score the surface .

 

[earlybird]

I've used a junior hacksaw blade held in a pad-handle with short strokes and good support. Can be a bit tedious, but accurate and copes with curves. A full sized blade might do for straights if it's very fine toothed.
Have the cutting stroke towards the decorative surface.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I use one of these

I also have a air powered one

This may be easier as it cuts from th top but could also chip the top surface of the formica.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try a jig saw with a reversed (junior hacksaw) blade.

 

[Iliade]

Don't forget to set the swing/advance on the jigsaw to minimum.

Wear a mask!

Tile cutting blades might work too, used from the back.
I think that is the only way you could use a hacksaw blade in most jigsaws too.

 

[Sandro]

Never done but what about angle grinder with a 1mm cutting disk for steel?
Try cutting on a scrap piece first.

 

[Stemar]

Whatever method used, it's still important to cut oversize and trim to size after fitting, ideally with a router An angle grinder strikes me as a bit fierce, but could work. Expensive if you get a snatch, though.

 

[Ceirwan]

Cut oversize & trim with the router.

Have a practice on something unimportant first.

 

[Iliade]

At school we trimmed with a sanding block and elbow grease! :-0

 

[AnnaMac]

I thought youmight like to know what I am currently using to cut various shapes, large, small, curved and straight from a large sheet of formica at the moment.
They are a robust set of cutters from B&Q at £12.95.
So long as the cut is started where the blades meet, I am finding them first class.

 

[Rappey]

Never done but what about angle grinder with a 1mm cutting disk for steel?

I was faced with how cut formica in a L shape for my galley. Fiddles all round so it had to be cut accurately.
Decided to try grinder with 1mm disc. Like a knife through butter. Can there be a better tool for cutting formica ?
Another item to add to the long list of things that are easy to cut with add 1mm disc.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I thought youmight like to know what I am currently using to cut various shapes, large, small, curved and straight from a large sheet of formica at the moment.
They are a robust set of cutters from B&Q at £12.95.
So long as the cut is started where the blades meet, I am finding them first class.
View attachment 91307

That was my first approach. I found the edge of the cut was cracking. However, that was just with robust dress making scissors (best 21st present my wife ever had!).

 

[Graham_Wright]

I was faced with how cut formica in a L shape for my galley. Fiddles all round so it had to be cut accurately.
Decided to try grinder with 1mm disc. Like a knife through butter. Can there be a better tool for cutting formica ?
Another item to add to the long list of things that are easy to cut with add 1mm disc.

An alternative, perhaps more controllable device, might be an die (angle edit = Dremel) grinder.

 

[pvb]

That was my first approach. I found the edge of the cut was cracking. However, that was just with robust dress making scissors (best 21st present my wife ever had!).

I have a vintage Goscut (as shown in post 8). It has two alternative cutters, one for straight cuts and a second for more intricate curves. If you'd like to borrow it, PM me.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have one of these that I fit a 1mm abrasive cutting disk in to.

It gives me better control than by battery angle grinder.