What methods do you like for rough cutting large sheets of laminate before gluing? I like a table saw for smaller pcs. but what about when they are too large to handle on the saw? thanks
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I use a pair of these shears:
http://www.benojgundlachco.com/applications/CatalogManager/default.asp?gpcid=1&cid=5&scid=140&ItemID=741
I have a pair of those, or thay at least look like them. They seem so slow and tedious to me, also mine always want to curve to one side of the cutline.
I have used mine enough to have a pretty good feel for it. I can give them a subtle tilt and get them back on line, if they stray.I have a laminate cutting table and fence I use on my table saw too (made of 1/2" MDO). This set up provides zero clearance cutting, support, and keeps the laminate from jambing under the saw fence.
circular saw-on inside corners I drill a 1'' hole at the corner and cut to it. Keep the corner round-it don't crack out of there handling the sheet. After routing on the base, don't file the corner square-same reason. I cut with sheet right side up, minimal small chips.
Tried a festool cutting system on the last one-sweet.
Strips for splash/edges-I use a stripper.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
"Strips for splash/edges-I use a stripper'
Does she cut a straigher line?
or just more fun to watch her do it.
What does she do while waiting for you to cut the sheets?
Why she exposes the beauty and wonderment of nature, of course.
A little mystery is fine,
but full disclosure is so much more revealing.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
By the way, just what is a stripper (the kind you were referring to, not mhole) ?
seriously, I've have not heard the term except for the "performing" type
I can't go root around for it in the laminate bucket at this time but.
It's a pull tool that rips from real narrow to just short of 4'' wide. It creases (and is adjustible for lam thickness) the laminate both sides, using a glide fence that sets the width. You pull it through the sheet for a continuous strip of same width ripped laminate.
Mine is french I think. Sold at good lam. distributors.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Probably a Spanish Virutex?
Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Thanks Adrian, and my apologies to Spain.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Spain won't hear about it from me.
Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
gracias.
Hey, is that spanish?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Not any more.
It's darn near midwestern.
Try this.
http://www.amazon.com/Virutex-C015L-Portable-Handheld-Laminate/dp/B000071NUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1228352737&sr=1-1
I call mine a slitter.
Alot less interesting than a stripper.
Calvin, I've had a viretux for years, but have never gotten it to work consistently.
Most of the time it won't "track" and the fence moves away from the edge. I end up with a tapered strip.
I also find setting the spacing on the wheels a problem. The strip doesn't always separate cleanly.
Any suggestions would be appreciated...pete
The wheels are adjustable. Turn the knob.
Tighter for vert grade.
Goin' straight - practise.
Here's what's worked for me.
I dial down/up the setting so it is both easy to pull and still creases it enough to readily "break off". Too tight and I can see where you might pull crooked causing it to not track right. Too loose and it won't crack it enough to "break off".
I don't set it tight to allow it to separate the strip while pulling, rather to just crease it enough to easily come apart-often while pulling, but sometimes after just a slight bend of the strip.
I also don't usually use the up top handle to pull. I hold more of the body of the tool and pull that through. I guess by habit I do put a little inside pressure to guarantee the fence is tight against the sheet edge.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks, I'll try that. I usually have a good feel for a tool. This one has eluded me, much to my frustration!
I've even wondered if I got a lemon. But then I hear my fathers' old admonition in the back of my head, it's a poor workman that blames his tools...pete
Having a slitter is a must, in my book. I use the Tridon, which is a Taiwan clone of the venerable Spanish Virutex:View Image
Router with straight edge for long cuts, laminate shears for short runs, or sidewinder circ saw if I've had too much coffee and feelin lucky.
when i have a 5x12 pc and i need to rip it to a rough cut,i put a very fine blade in my skill saw.
so usally i'm working in a house that has carpet that will be thrown out when done with remodel. i lay the formica upside down,measure what i need,set my saw blade at 1/2" and start cutting,using the carpet for my cutting board.
if no carpet in house i have used a pc of foam board.
if the cut has a 90 degree L in it i will sometimes hot glue a little pc of scrap wood across the corner so i don't split it while getting in place.don't ask me how i know that,but it can happen twice on the same job.
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I don't find it hard to cut 4 x 8's on the table saw, and I can do 5 x 12's alone depending on what cuts I need to make. I sometimes rough cut an L-shaped countertop with a 5 x 12 by overhanging it, using the counter substrate as a guide, and using a flush trimming laminate trimmer .
Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
"cut right on the carpet" love it!
Dont think I can usually get away with that tho
Think I might try the foam board next time-thanks
what the customer doesn't want cut marks all over the carpet???
you'd be surprised at how little it damage it does to the carpet,i don't cut deep enough to cut the backing,thats to close to the floor.larryif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I always wondered who invented those carpet squares.
"if no carpet in house i have used a pc of foam board"Thanks, that answers a question I had. I do have some extra 3" x 12" pan roof filler foam planks that a few saw kerfs won't hurt.
LIVE
When I am going to do a laminate job I buy a 1x12 x 10' long.
I clamp it to my cut lines and use a router with a laminate cutter to cut to rough size.
Rich