If i wanna rip off a strip from a 4m length of worktop will a circular saw be able to do it. The 2 things is it has to be straight and i don't want it to splinter.

Cliff

I used a circular saw on all mine.

Points to take into account:
1. If your saw can cut mitres, set it to do 90 degrees, then test it on a piece of thick scrap wood, or a bit of old worktop, to make sure it really IS 90!!!

2. To avoid splintering, saw from underneath, ie: with good surface away from saw.

3. To get a straight edge, the only true way is to clamp a piece of straight timber, (????????????) or metal to the worktop, and use it as a fence for the saw. DON'T rely on the fence attached to the saw.

4. Try out the saw on a bit of scrap first to see EXACTLY where the cut comes, in relation to the base plate. This helps when setting up the fence, above.

Alcazar

was gonna hire one from HSS as I figured a cheapy B&Q one would perhaps not really be up to the job.

I am buying a 900mm by 4.1m length of worktop. 2 bits need to be 600mm wide and the other bit is a L shape (use jigsaw)

So I gotta chop off 300mm off the width. Whats wrong with the fence on the saw ???. I have a T-square with a clamp so will use that or maybe a long piece of timber would be better.

Cliff

It is possible do do it with a standard Jigsaw if you have a steady hand. I had 1 x 2m work top cut into 2 x 1m sections and it is totally flat. Saying that the person who cut it is a master carpenter :D

Either way take it slow its not somethign to rush :eek:

Darren

Oh and applying masking tape to the section that needs cutting to avoid splintering at the end.

If it's an end that butts up against a wall then a pencil line and a jigsaw will do.

As long as the abutting wall is tiled from the work surface up - the tile and adhesive will take up about 10 mm, so you don't need to be super accurate.

If its an end that is open and will need to have a cover strip attached to it, you will need to be super accurate!

If you use a jig saw you can get a blade with the teath in the opposite direction to normal which stops splintering the formica.

However, I would follow the advice of Alcaza as that method worked for me.

I've tried jigsaws, and they are OK, but the bladers tend to bend in thicker worktops, so you start with a 90 degree cut, and finish about 10 degrees out!!!!

As mentioned above, not a problem if it's a wall end.

I WOULD NOT contemplate using a jigsaw if a joint has to be produced.

The fence on saws tends to be a cheapy, made of quite pliant steel, and not really long enough, front to back.

In use it bends alarmingly, allowing the saw to wander, while you're concentrating on getting the swine NOT to lift up!

I've also tried those backwards teeth jigsaw blades, and they are a swine to use, as they tend to lift the saw, so you need MASSIVE pressure to keep it down, let alone straight.
Far better to mark accurately, and cut from beneath.

Alcazar

Maybe hire a good quality table saw??

found a place that will chop it all up for me. Only bit i need to cut is L shape will use a guide, hopefully it will be straight, hmmm

Cliff

place a few layers of masking tape over the area to be cut and that will stop your "splintering" as you put it. Mark your line with a pencil and make sure you have a good saw for the job. Failing that, if you dont think your sawing method is good enough, take it to The Depot (or whatever they call it in your area) where they will cut it for you for 50p per cut :)

soulgirl I live round the corner from you remember !!!! so anywhere nearby that will cut the L shape ?

Cliff

Mmmm... not sure. What about The Depot? They cut for 50p per cut dont they :)

where is the depot ?

It's just off the Fleetsbridge roundabout - across from Staples :) You can't miss it, it's huge :)

JUst looked on yell.co.uk and cant find anything in Poole with the name "The Depot" ???

Cliff

Soulgirl how much do you charge per cut :)

It's B&Q Depot - I can certainly lend you a jigsaw... well easy :D

right you are refering to B&Q Warehouse in Fleetsbridge, right, yeah i know where that is, its my 2nd home :D

Will they cut stuff that you haven't bought there ?. I will just jigsaw it with a guide hopefully i can get it straight

Cliff

If you make sure you use lots of masking tape and mark the line down that, you wont be slipping and sliding anywhere and you wont get splintering either. You can do it :D

cheers for the advice, i also got meself some laminate blades too which cut on the downstroke to help prevent splintering