On Wed, 31 Oct 2012 12:11:19 -0500, Swingman wrote:

On 10/31/2012 9:11 AM, Spalted Walt wrote:
Looking for suggestions as to the best way to cleanly saw (straight, square, no
tear-out) about 18 inches off the length of a 10ft Lowe's laminate coutertop:

http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...8118027007.jpg

http://www.lowes.com/pd_98696-1110-3...ductId=3351914

Since this thing has a 5" integrated backsplash, whats the best tool/method to
accomplish a nice smooth square cut?

Circular saw from the underside?

1. Use a fine tooth circular saw blade and make your cuts upside down
(with the laminate surface on the bottom)

2.Cut the back splash first, setting it on a flat, horizontal,
sacrificial (piece of 3/4" plywood) surface.

3. Cut the counter top part the same way - upside down setting on a
flat, horizontal, sacrificial (piece of 3/4" plywood) surface.

IOW, make your cuts upside down, backup both cuts on the bottom side
(and be sure to not let that cut-off tear the laminate as it falls, so
hold on to it all the way through the cut).

Thanks for your input, Swing. I found a youtube vid shortly after my original
post that somewhat echos your suggestion:

German ingenuity! :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5SOAUgnU4g


I find it a little strange that Home Depot and Lowe's have been selling pre-made
laminate coutertops for many, many years yet there is only ONE video on youtube
(at least that's all I could find) that shows a way of cutting one to length.