Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 05:32am | #1

   *
   Six inches is a pretty standard radius for countertop corners, and standard laminate will conform to it pretty easily.

   If you want a smaller radius, you can try heating the laminate strip (hair dryers work ok, maybe an iron, but NO open flames like propane torches).

   You can also belt-sand the back of the laminate to make it a bit thinner (at the site of the radius)so it will take a tighter bend.

   If you're going for the tighter radius, try a dry fit before spreading any contact cement (but then, you knew that).

   --Jay

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 05:54am | #2

   *Use a heat gun (your wife's hairdryer may even work, maybe an iron) to heat the laminate where you want it to bend. You may want to experiment to see how small a radius you can get. I've done a 3" radius, haven't tried smaller, but it could be possible. After you've prebent the edging, spray, roll or brush on the contact cement. Let dry and do it again ( countertop too). Hope this helps.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 09, 1999 07:22am | #3

   *Agree with all on the heat gun(use care) add edge clamps until the contact gets a good set.

2. 
   JR_ | Mar 10, 1999 06:44am | #4

   *
   Keep in mind that some laminates are not bendable,
   mainly the metallic colors.
   JR

1. 
   Frank_N | Mar 15, 1999 10:06am | #5

   *Try using vertical grade laminate for you radius if you have problems with the previous mentioned methods. Vertical grade is a thinner material that you can almost wrap a pencil with if you heat itFrank N.

3. 
   Rich_B. | Mar 15, 1999 10:06am | #6

   *
   Want to bend some laminate on the edge of a countertop so as not to have the square edge that always seems to catch clothes and kids heads.

   What radius will the average laminate bend around (talking the 1 1/2" wide strip that forms the front edge of a countertop)?

   What is the technique for applying the laminate to the bend?

   Thanks.