On Mon, 24 May 2004 10:58:27 +0100, "Bob"
wrote:

I'm getting ready to tackle the last big job in my kitchen renovations -
fitting laminate worktops.
I'm hiring a jig and router for next weekend, and I'm fairly confident I can
make a good job of it. I do still have a couple of questions that I'm sure
you guys can help with :-)

1) Is it best to do the cuts in one go, or make several passes, getting
deeper each time?

You need to do several passes. I have a fairly powerful 12.7mm
router (DeWalt DW625) and did my passes at about 8mm increments.
The trick is to make sure that the cutter is sharp, keep the router
moving but don't force it so that it slows noticably.

You must make sure the the work is properly supported. WHat I did
was to lay strips of timber on my bench to act as spacers and then I
laid the worktop on that. This prevents any tendency for it to move
and crack away as you go through.

Also, do make sure that the jig is very firmly clamped to the worktop.


2) I'm a bit concerned about the laminate chipping. I've read that scoring
it first helps, and also clamping some wood to the surface can stop it, but
what about the bullnosed front edge?

This won't happen with a router if you follow the jig instructions.
Cut from the bullnose front towards the back.



3) Would a circular saw work for the straight cuts? I imagine it would be
quicker, but would I need a special blade (especially to avoid chipping the
laminate?)

I use a router for both. You are much less likely to chip the
laminate than with a saw.



Thanks for any advice you may be able to give. I've tackled everything in
the house myself so far (with lots of helpful advice from here), but I would
probably have left this one to a professional. Unfortunately no-one seemed
to be interested in doing the work (not unless they also supplied their own
low quality worktops). In any case, as my mother-in-law helpfully pointed
out, I could mess up quite a few cuts before it would have been cheaper to
get someone in!

If you have enough worktop, try a practice cut near one end.





Bob


..andy

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