"Paul Franklin" wrote in message
...
| On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:45:05 GMT, Al Tsiemers
| wrote:
|
| I need to cut a prefabbed 6 ft. post-formed laminate countertop with
| integral backsplash down to 5 ft.
|
| What tool and techniques will result in least chipping of the
laminate and
| give the straightest edge?
|
| I made an L shaped saw guide out of two pieces of 1x4 and clamped it
| to the bottom and back of the backsplash (opposite side from the
| laminate).
|
| Then I used a portable circular saw with a 40 tooth carbide blade to
| first cut the backsplash (running the edge of the saw base against the
| guide) and then the main part.
|
| I first cut it 1/8 oversize and then moved the guide and trimmed the
| 1/8. Came out nice and clean.
|
| Cutting it a little oversize allows you to get the hang of it and also
| eliminates the pull of the big offcut when you are doing the final
| cut. Make sure you support the offcut on the first pass so its weight
| doesn't tear out a chunk at the end.
|
| HTH,
|
| Paul F.

Great advice Paul
I would only add to finish the edge with a belt sander (holding the
sander vertical with the laminate top face up)
|