How To Cut a Laminate Countertop | Including Lessons Learned
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- This was the first time I cut a laminate countertop and there were a few bumps in the road but the end result was great. This video includes how to not make the same mistakes as I did so hopefully you get the same end result and save time.
Tools Used
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I really appreciate that you took the time to show the "mistake" of using the 2x4 over a 1x6. I like to think that I'm handy, but when you're trained in one field and not another these kinds of details matter when we're trying to do the home projects. It saves us time and is a good teaching tool in my opinion. We can apply that knowledge about skill saw blade depth to everything now. Good video.
The guides should be on the other side of the saw. You don't need to rotate the cut. Just cut all the way through and then do a second short cut going down the splash.
My thought exactly!!!
Thank you for your guidance. This is one part of construction I’ve never tackled.
Yeah, it'll keep the blade depth closer to the wood thickness too. Safer.
Great tips tks!
@Jarred Church. And that is exactly why I watch you tube video's. To cruise the comment section to see if a professional that does these projects every day leaves a comment like yours on what could make the job easier, faster, safer, etc. Thanks.
Be proud! You're the first video to pop up on my reccomended for this, and I'll be following through with your example. (Mostly) thanks for the help!
Excellent Instructions and follow-up!
Really liked how you included the obstacles you had to overcome in making the right cut. Thanks
Hard to believe that the 'practice' run didn't highlight the obvious issues. Not sure if it's been mentioned but there's another improvement you could have made. At 6:20 in the video you will see the 'cut off' drop by 1/4". You were lucky that the drop didn't break the laminate when it was the last thing holding it together. You should have supported the cut off close to the cut, so it didn't risk breaking the final laminate.
You should have started from opposite end. That way motor housing would not hit the guide.
A: Why didn't you cut with the other edge of the saw against the fence?
B: Why did you start at the edge with the lip instead of just cutting from the moulded end?
C: Why did you try to wrap around that corner instead of just going straight through, then repositioning the saw to do a straight down cut.
Also: Tip: Make your first cut several inches too long for practice if this is your first time.
I think he wanted more space to see where the blade was
@Sherwood Botsford. Because your a professional that knows how to do the job correctly and he is a DIYer. Love your comment and when I go to cut my top today I will follow your advice. Thanks
Thanks, I butchered one tonight, should have been watching your video first, but the good news I have enough left over to make the cut again
Nice, best of luck with the 2nd attempt. Let me know how it turns out.
Well, you know the old saying....Build the first house for your enemy, the second for a friend, the third for yourself. :-)
I would suggest another method.
Always perform a test cut on scrap of material to test your cut quality before cutting the money piece.
Lay a piece of MDF or chip board of the same thickness as the build up on the outer thickness of the top as a temporary build up to reach the back of the counter so the saw cuts on one continuous level plane.
Use a second piece of straight MDF as your saw guide, not a piece of wood that might not be flat or has a rounded edge that can make lining up to your marking line difficult.
Cut the backsplash as a second operation not as a swing cut which can be hard for someone without that level of experience.
For his test cut he could have cut 6 inches from his line. Found all of his obstacles. Then make his serious cut on the line with all of his info. Also, avoid the motor housing clearance by using the other side of the saws shoe as your reference. No clearance issues on the open side. That is my two cents, but I'm a fabricator.
Yeah i figure MDF is more straight. Merci beaucoup.
It is really helpful when people show the mistakes and difficulties along with the successes. Thanks for doing this. I too am doing countertop for laundry room.
Thank you for this video. I'll be tackling my first attempt at cutting a laminate countertop this weekend. Your comments, tips and suggestions inspired confidence that the job is not insurmountable for weekend DIYer!
You got this! That was my first attempt and as long as you take your time and follow the tips you will be good. 2nd counter will be this weekend for me and hopefully this time I get it on the first attempt.
If you put the 2 by 4 on the right side of your saw, or the short side of the plate, you won't have any obstacles in your way. Also, if you have the older style sawhorses, the kind that you screw 2 by 4s to the top, you can simply run them perpendicular to your cut(think of an H, with the legs being the sawhorses and the middle connector being your cut), adjusting your depth to only cut into the sawhorse tops an 1/8th or 1/4 of an inch, then when the cut is complete, the sawhorses will still support both pieces you now have(might need 4 horses if the counter top is long like the one you are working on.
You can clamp on the right side of the saw in order eliminate the clearance issue between motor housing and 2x4.
I was screaming at the screen....
@@silentunicorn6526 I was too!
@@silentunicorn6526 My girlfriend asked "why are you yelling at the computer?"
Just needs to rotate himself and cut from the other side, I knew it was a red flag when he started off with "this is the first time I'm cutting laminate"
Can we screw guide wood lightly for guide instead of clamp?
Word of advice never start your cut with the blade inside of your work piece! you risk the blade running towards you at 5000rpm and that cut wouldn’t look to good. people lose arm an fingers all the time.
by this, do you mean a plunge cut?
I'd never trust myself to make the first cut my final cut. I think I'd try cutting of 3" to see how it goes before I went for the money cut. That bit for the backsplash would give me hives.
Thank you for your video. The Caulk is the preferred filler for voids between the counter backsplash and the wall. Cock is a male rooster and a slang term for a Schlong. Never use Cock between the counter and the wall. Ouch!
😂 at least you kept your comment PG that could have went downhill fast.
why didnt you go from opposite side of saw so motor would not interfere
Hey Rick, good question and with that setup the blade side was the shorter unsupported or “less” supported side so I didn’t want to put any more weight which might lead to the end of the cut snapping off and damaging the laminate. Alternatively I could have started on the backsplash side but felt more comfortable the direction I outlined in the video. Open to any tips you have, thanks!
Good question and good reply
Thanks for the video, Scott! We're working on a budget-friendly kitchen remodel for a house we plan to sell in the next year or so. Last night I cut the first piece of laminate countertop and it came out perfect, the first attempt too! Super smooth cut and a great finish all thanks to your video! I used a Ryobi One+ circular saw, with a Diablo 6-1/2 60T Ultra Finish blade. Thanks again!
You set your guides up on the wrong side of the saw.
yea you are right use the guide on the other side away from motor
Good see someone who can admit and learn from their mistakes. Real world video:-) thanks
I am just about to cut my first laminate counter, I had already planned this type of method, but your video provided me with some great tips to help make the end result much better!....Thank you!
Awesome John, happy it worked for you. Hopefully the rest of the install went smooth.
I just finished cutting my first countertop after finding out the big box stores were not able to do it for me. So I went to TH-cam as I was sure there would be a video that addressed not only the cutting but tips for avoiding mistakes. Your video fits the bill. I was fortunate that I already had a 160 tooth blade which when finished was very smooth with only a couple of very minor nicks, and you had to run your finger to find them. Thank you for making this video as I have now acquired another skill previously too anxious to tackle.
Great Richard, glad the video helped. Best of luck on the install 👍
Thank you so very much for taking the time to make this video. Most appreciated. Now I can finish up myself what I already paid contracts to do that flaked out and never came back.
I used a DeWalt cordless saw with a Diablo blade and zipped right through the operation! I love cordless saws as they have enough power to do the job but not to put up a fight should something go amiss.
I’m about to cut a laminate countertop today and came upon your video.
Very informative!
Glad it was helpful!
People watch these videos to get a job done quickly and correctly. I usually have to watch 3 or 4 you-tube videos and READ ALL OF THE COMMENTS before I find the correct way to do something whether it be woodworking, electrical, car repair, etc. A test cut before making the video should have been done? Always use a 1" guide? Is it easier to just put the guide on the other side? Does it matter if the masking tape is blue or beige? These saws are quite dangerous so filming the safest techniques should be encouraged. Thank you, I did learn something.
Works good to screw the guide in place. Clamps can slip or damage the good side. Also, a 120 or 140 tooth blade isn't a good idea. Stick to a new 60 tooth fine cut blade. Make sure the blade has a little kerf to it or you'll regret your choice.
Nice! Thanks for all the tips.
“Kerf?” Please explain. Thank you
@@laurab9247 kerf is the offset of the teeth. With a 0 kerf blade the disc is touching the cut creating friction. That friction can cause kickback and ruin the cut.
@@LouisvilleCb Thank you
I don`t understand why you did not use a jigsaw instead of the circular saw? You can support both sides of the cut line with saw horses and controlling the jigsaw for cutting the backsplash is much easier than trying to control the circular saw.
Hey Pete, thanks for the comment. Might give it a try on the next one. Only thing that I am cautious of is my own ability to cut a straight line with the jigsaw.
I watched your video and another one which gave this newbie the confidence to cut my countertop. Your video helped me in the setup for cutting and I avoided mistakes. Thank you for sharing!
I'm in a situation where I need to make a cut but cannot flip my worktop as it's already installed (replacing to install a larder unit). I've bought a fine tooth blade for my circular saw and then some new multi tool blades to cut the last bit where the saw won't reach.
I'll do a practice cut to see how the worktop fairs but has anyone cut laminate without flipping and what results did they get? I'm hoping for not too much chipping or at least minimal so I can cover with silicone or trim.
Thanks
Why not put the guide board on the other side of the saw so you don't have motor interference. Just protect laminate from clamp pressure points if needed.
Would have been much easier for clearance but I was cautious to apply any additional pressure to the loose end since I didn't have it completely secure and when approaching the end of the cut didn't want to chip off the laminate. I think we all know the real solution and that is for me to upgrade to the Pro Skilsaw which doesn't have the motor housing coming off the side. 😉amzn.to/2KX2Yn0
Everyday Home Repairs
The real solution is a table saw..
Table Saw! Great.investment!
@@MrOscar5690 😂😂😂😂
Thanks glad i found your vid I was worried of the finish if i cut with my scale saw but now i know i can order my countertop today instead of waiting for a custom one and still have a nice finish!
Yeah, if you take your time and have a sharp blade you should be good. Also here is a few other videos if you need to install an end cap as well. th-cam.com/play/PLj9rGlCZDWK7_04olh7tQYe3fzVRmrsCl.html Best of luck on the project.
Looks like I’m off to get a finer blade! Thanks man🪚
No Prob 👍
Thanks for the video, I'm redoing my kitchen and the salesperson at IKEA tried to upsell me with a pre-cut countertop that cost almost 5 times as much. Know I'll spend some extra on a good-quality saw instead for sure :)
Guide is on the wrong side.
Not for this instance since this was the preferred direction of travel and the other side was a partially supported end where I wanted to limit the addition weight to avoid issues at the end of the cut.
I'll be cutting a 1 meter long notch 7cm into the back of my 3 meter long $1000 laminate bench next month when it arrives. I'm really nervous about it cause I want it to look good. I plan to buy the finest blade possible. I'll let you know next month how well it went. Thanks for the video tips.
I bought a 60 tooth blade and made the cut. It worked perfectly (better then some display benches I saw installing in the hardware store - where I suspect they cut with laminate side up, with a 20 tooth blade and perhaps no painters tape). There were zero chips and I finished it up with a file to really smooth off the edge of the cut. Thanks for the video.
Circular saw? Cutting laminate is a great excuse to buy a router! I was in Harbor Freight the otherday and they had router bits on sale!
A big thank you for this video. Many videos posted do not include the mistakes or pitfalls encountered with a project. In the end this omittions lead to loss in material and time. Excellent Job!!!!
WHY? WHY? WHY didn't you just make a couple of practice cuts in the "scrap" end before making the real cut???
You had enough material to make as many practice cuts as you needed to know exactly what to do with complete confidence, without any risk of damaging the final surface.
Other than that, great vid!
can i cut off a backslash on a countertop? we need to do an L kitchen and don't want the backslash on the counter that wont be on the wall...
Thank you for this. Need to make the exact same cut and I was thinking along the same lines, but I would have made the same 2x4 mistake. Now I won't!
Best of luck on the project!
Try an oscilating tool instead. It leaves a perfect finish. and no dangerous tools and you can lay it on the floor over a scrap piece of wood. You can tape a wood guide onto the surface for perfect line.
Why didn’t he just move the 2 x 4 on the other side of the saw with different measurements then it would’ve just rubbed against the guard hello
When the saw motor was hitting the guide board, why didn't you just flip the saw around and cut from the other direction?
The interference from the guide can be addressed by having the guide on the other (right) side of the saw. The taping down of the cutoff piece can be addressed by using through screws/or double sided tape to fasten the counter top to the cutoff support shims and support board. Since you would discard the cutoff section, the through holes wouldn't be a problem
Can you use the 140-tooth OSB/Plywood blade to cut laminate countertops?
Nicely done video. I have, pretty much, rebuilt our house but I was kicking around ideas for how I would cut a counter top we're buying (very similar to this one). I've just never had occasion to cut one of these. This helped - thanks. If I screw up, look for a larger than normal bead of caulk against the wall.
Yeah, took me a few tries but turned out as good as I could have expected. Best of luck on the project!
@@EverydayHomeRepairs I like the fact that you pointed out some mistakes - at this point, I've remodeled about five houses (major gut jobs) and I'm almost completely self-taught (drywall, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.). I've gotten pretty good at all of it, but, my missteps could fill volumes. Makes the video more real, personal, etc. Your counter top ended up looking great, by the way. I'll be doing mine in a few days. Peace to you and yours - thanks, again, for the tips.
Thanks Guy, nice work on fixing up that many properties. Do you keep them as rentals or fix/flip?
@@EverydayHomeRepairs Wow.....that's a long story. A couple were rentals - one was my own house, after a bad fire (first renovation project). I got out of the rental thing - long story. The one I'm working on now: I was divorced, and, I am re-married - to the "girl next door". We grew up right next door to one another. Her husband passed away in 2012 and had that hoarding disorder. Nice guy, but never did anything to the house and it was a fixer-upper when her parents bought it for them. When I got here it was an unbelievable mess - and in a really nice area. This will give you a clue.....basically a gut job on most of the house: th-cam.com/video/A-YfeaQFglA/w-d-xo.html
Sacrificial 2x4s across the saw horses (maybe 3) will hold your main piece and cut waste better.
This is all depending on saw . Just wondering why you dont put guide on the oppisite side of motor?
Ill be using a left sided blade which will allow me to use your type of guide.
I need to do the same thing. This will be my first time cutting a counter top. It will be used to fit inside a closet on top of a couple two drawer filing cabinets to be used as a desk / work bench. I plan to make some test cuts as my counter top is about three feet longer than the closet is wide. Then I plan to use the 2.5 ft leftover piece for my miter saw. Cutting it into a recessed space in an existing work bench. Then using the cut out piece to keep the work bench level when the miter saw is not in use.
Could the cut be made with the non motor housing edge against the 2X4 guide? That way there would not be any interference between the motor housing and the 2X4. Another method I have used is to use the big square clamped to the material being cut as the guide.
I love your honesty! We all have second and third attempts. Great video!
Amen to that!
The right side of your circular saw should be against your guide. Not the motor side of the saw against the guide.
That is what others had mentioned as well but at least for this cut I preferred to cut this direction and didn't want to place the guide of the short (loosely support) end of the counter. Thanks for the feedback 👍
What I can't figure out is why the guides were set to the outside vs inside of the saw foot? I use 2x material all the time for a guide and have no issue with the motor housing hitting it.
Great lesson 0n cutting laminate thanks!
But I never cut or use guides on the motor side.
I have the same saw and it's an inch and a half on the non-motorside to the cut line.
I've even marked the saw as such.
Thanks! Great job. About to cut my first countertop here very soon!
Best of luck on the project!
Anyone with common sense would know to put 2X4 to the right of the saw
Great video. Appreciate the fact that you left the issues you ran into in the video.
Would this still work with a jigsaw? Any tips or would it be about the same steps?
I agree with your choice of the guides on the motor side of the saw. You have more stability with the widest part of the saw base supported. If you move to the other side as some suggested, then you only have 2 inches of the saw base supported, and more chance the saw will lean, making your cut un-square. Screwing the guide down would avoid interference with clamps, and also prevent the clamps slipping.
Yeah, I like the idea of screwing down the guides. Will give it a try on the next counter 👍
Both your points are simply different ways of skinning a cat, neither of which is much benefit. I always use the shorter opposite to the motor side as my guide edge, never had an issue. Keep the clamps out of the way and you don't need to drill a screw into a finished product, even if it is the underside. How many novices will use too long a screw and break through the other side?
Use this video for help, youll screw up your project and lose some digits.
used the speed square wrong for transferring the mark
Why didn't you just move the 2x4 guide to the right side of the saw?
Thank you for showing me "how to". I never thought of tape.
Screw the 2x4 to the bottom of the countertop and ditch the clamps
Couldn't you just cut the other way opposite of the motor housing?
I have done the hand saw guide a number of times, to avoid the motor getting in the way, I put the guide on the other side of the saw 'table'. I find visibility of the saw table better, so as not to track away from guide. Otherwise sort of fool proof method of guiding the saw. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the feedback!
If you set your rig uo on the opposite side, or cut from the different direction, the motor is no longer in the way. . .
Yeah, if that works for your setup that would be great. For my situation that was not ideal.
Don't use clamps. Use screws to hold 1x6 pieces in place.
140 teeth saw blade be too much are will it be ok to use, you said 60
I prefer the 60 as depending on the sharpness of the 140 the cut speed might be slow enough to create excess heat.
Straight edge should be on opposite side of motor
VERY IMPORTANT!!!! For anyone planning on doing this do not use the Avanti plywood blade from home depot or the ones harbor freight (the are the same blades just different labels). Get the Diablo brand it should say plywood, mdf. It makes a big difference.
Thanks, now I know what blade to use and to cut through the blue take to keep from "fraying," the laminate edges; I have a left hand circular saw, so my motor would be on the opposite side of a cut, like yours, but doing it your way I am afraid of "binding." since the blade is out to deep, the way you came from the back splash, but your edges were clean, thanks!
Yeah, just watch the downward force you apply at the end and make sure the 2 pieces are supported. Best of luck on your project 👍
Dude where did you find a left handed circular saw?
Excellent tips for guide blocking the cut line and choosing a fine toothed blade. Good careful work. MUCH better than most hack rough-in contractors do.
Thanks 👍
Why didn't you just set the wood on the other side of your blade to serve as guide.
Hey Alex, for this instance that side was the shorter / unsupported so I didn't want to put the extra weight on the counter which could cause issues once I got close to the end of the cut. Best of luck with your project.
i watched all kinds of vid. on cutting laminate. Use a fine-tooth circular saw blade. Don't use a razor knife. Don't use scissors. And upon doing a test cut, I found my one dollar, Harbor Freight utility scissors cut perfectly. Ha ha what a joke.
Don't buy Dyson if you care about people
i use cabinet shelf as guide....clamps far away
Not bad, thanks for the feedback.
Are you seriously making a video to teach someone something that you have never done?
He seemed to get the job done and successfully though didn't he Jeff?
Great video FOR PERFECT CUTS. I'm looking to save a lot of money DIY.
NOW FOR A VIDEO ON CUTTING THE SINK AND HOLES. THANK YOU!
Why not just put the 2x4's on the other side of the saw where nothing will get in the way ??????
😂😂😂😂😂
Did you ever try to put the saw on the other side?
Thank you for this did it today 2 cuts . Practiced on the old laminate counters from 1989 I was removing. I used a 6 1/2 inch blade. 60 tooth diablo which was about 22$ . The hardest part was the built in back splash. I used 4 saw horses and clamped the ends so nothing would fall off.
Maybe put the guide on the saw side instead of the motor side?
For this specific project that wasn't ideal but in others I completely agree.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs Based on your excellent instructions, I cut my countertop today and went to put the guide on the saw side. My saw doesn't have a usable edge to guide on the saw side. Maybe once upon a time it did but not anymore. Put the guide on the motor side, bought a 60T blade, masked off the line on the laminate side and ended up with a perfect cut. Thanks for the excellent tutorial.
@@blanchae great to hear and don't forget we have a couple other videos out there as well if you need help cutting a sink hole or installing an end cap. Best of luck finishing off the project.
You have the most mesmerising beautiful eyes!
What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty!
In form and moving how express and admirable!
In action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god!
The transition technique. Cool idea, wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks,
I watch a lot of your videos (just watched the one on cutting the opening for a sink but I need help...Soooo. I already cut a hole for a countertop grill. I didn't cut it wide enough (I was afraid to cut it too big) but now I need to TRIM the opening in the countertop (It's a laminate countertop from Ikea) It's pretty thick about 1.25 inches thick. What is the best way to do this? Router? Circular Sander? help? 🤞🪚
Kudos for showing the peccadilloes...I have the same saw...The worst skilsaw ever made!!! Get a worm drive.
Great video! Thanks for sharing! Based upon your experience I took a couple of preventive measures. First when i was buying my laminate, I had to travel about 45 miles, one way to get the countertops (2 of them) to the jobsite. To avoid chipping i purchased several lengths of foam insulation for 1 inch copper tubing. This allowed me to encase the top of the backsplash as well as the front lip of each countertop in the foam to protect the edges. then I placed both units on to my cartop, one on top of each other, one right side up and the other right side down and off set by about two inches and strapped then down to the roof racks. That worked out perfectly at making sure that nothing moved and nothing got chipped! I also got some 1x8 for my saw guides to make sure that the clamps were out of the way!
Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Nice, yeah damage in transport is super common with these countertops just riding in the back of a pickup truck. Thanks for sharing your experience 👍
Mistake number one: putting your guide on the wrong side of the circular saw. Otherwise, good.
Question for ya, Would you switch the guide to the other side cutting in the same direction or cut starting at the backsplash? Always looking to learn 👍
EHR: what about if you cut at the other side of the guide? Love to learn too!!! Gracias 👍Excelent video.
You are cutting it wrong, if you are right handed you should be cutting from left to right so that the blade is facing the two x four guide, it would be easier this way
Or, you can cut in the other direction and use the short side guide and not need motor and C clamp clearance. Start from the backsplash, roll it up and over and then finish off the cut by walking around.
Yeah, I have another counter top coming up which I will try what you mentioned. For this one I felt more comfortable starting on the flat surface but will give it a try. Thanks for the help.
good video. it was well produced, thank you for that. I will be cutting my own countertop soon.
Very nice, thanks for sharing
Thanks for the tips. We may have a problem as we will be shortening a countertop that surrounds a laundry room sink and covers our front loading washer and dryer. We plan to install risers on a new laundry pair. Any tips besides using the tape and taking it slow?
Even if u don't put tape on it. I'll get a clean cut.as long as u do it upsidedown .. On my experienced. best is the Blade should be a Finishing type. And always make sure everytime u cut with a Skilsaws or circar saws. It's a good practice the good side always facing down.
Is there a reason you didn't put the guide on the other side of the line you want cut? The circular saw has nothing protruding on that side.
I found the material was so heavy that I had to cut some of it away with a jigsaw. This kept it from binding the circular saw blade. Great video! Thanks.
Not what I came here for exactly, but will need this great info in future. I clicked on your link to find out how to cut just a sheet of laminate and then glue it on to my work bench. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this! I have to do the same thing and am well prepared. My guess is you are a teacher--if not, you'd be a good one.
Great video,I have a similar project to do and have just purchased a saw,like the tips that you have given,wish me luck 👍🙏🙏