f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

OK I have to cut some kitchen trim panels and a piece of melamine and I want to do so with absolutely no chipping.

When I have done this before I have always cut 2mm shy of the line and used a router to trim up to the line to leave a perfect finish, but boy is it fiddly and time consuming.

I was looking at the Festool TS55 saw and guide and wondered if that with a proper melamine blade would do the trick.

If not do people have any recommendations on a foolproof way of doing this that doesn't involved several passes?

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

I had a kitchen fitter do some stuff for me a while ago. He used a very fine tooth blade. He also laid white paper masking tape over the reverse surface and normal work surface, marked it up then cut it from the reverse side.

Top job.

dpb

Good luck , chipboards cheap anyway

Cpt Jack Sparrow

iTrader: (14)

You need the blades with the teeth that are angled downwards in the jigsaw if tou know what I mean.

Finer toothed and as above masking tape.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Have you EVER contributed anything to a thread other than stupid comments? Nope, I don't think you have.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Was that in a jigsaw or hand saw or circular saw? I have never seen anyone successfully use a jigsaw to cut this stuff, or not what I woudl call successfully.

Yes I have read that, but doesn't that just rip it on the other side? It doesn't mater in most cases, but my leaning is towards a proper circular saw.

dpb

How thick is this trim , anyway , might have some bearing

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

I wouldn't use a jigsaw for this, it's not steady enough.

As mentioned above get the finest blade possible and more importantly take your time and concentrate. Oh and definitely use masking tape

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

stick trim to end of worktops , glue very, very well and trim with sharp chisel once it has dried.

hodgy0_2

the Festool range of powertools are fantastic quality - I borrowed my brother-inlaws to make some bathroom cabinets a few years ago

he had the circular saw with the aluminium rails - unbelievably good piece of kit

so if anything is going to do it the Festool is a good choice

scooby1994

iTrader: (2)

the best and neatest way is with a router,it does take longer but you know it will be right once it is done,

scooby1994

iTrader: (2)

also, i dont know if you own one or are going to buy one but the festool gear is horrendously expensive,i do a lot of corrian worktops and we always use festool ,top quality but expensive if you are only going to use it a few times

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Last one I did at home, i clamped a metal rule to it and made several deep passes with a new Stanley blade along the top surface.

I then cut with a new jigsaw blade working carefully close to the line and it chipped to the line only. One pass along the wood with a jack plane/planer and it was done.

TIP: If using a worktop jigsaw blade, the downward facing teeth try and lift the jigsaw at each downward stroke, so work at low speed and keep plenty of pressure on the saw or it will jump out of the cut

If you can get hold of one, those saws with two contra-rotating blades do a very good job.

decepticon

I cut mine before with a circular saw, perfect cut. cut it from the underside (non faced side)
Use a spirit level clamped to the worktop as a straight edge to get a good line.
never use a jigsaw, it doesn't work well
do a practice run if possible

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

Are you trimming panels with strips? I don't want to offer my 2p without understanding what you are doing that's all. I've recently done a load of melamine trimming refurbishing my friend's kitchen not two months ago you see.......

daveyj

iTrader: (1)

T'is ok......read the thread fully and now have the jist.....and no, that's not something we did so that's two pointless thread replies in a row from me. Get in

Felix.

If you can get one, a router is probably the best. Have a collar attachment and firmly clamp a straight edge to your counter top - allow 9mm gap to the cut line.

Remember which way the blade turns as it cuts into the laminate, so the blade turns into the laminate and not away from it.

This guys pretty good

500

Listen to decepticon, he speaks the truth..

Make sure you have a finer blade in it and not a ripping blade is all I need to add to the above.

gazney101

iTrader: (5)

I use my makita 18v circular saw everytime, cutting from upside down and it never chips although i use a new blade for every kitchen, however i still leave the line on and plane in for a perfect fit with makita 18v planer.

As you say leaving the line on and trimming with the router is your best bet for a perfect finish

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for all the replies. Yes the Festool gear is expensive, but I would probably try and buy secondhand, use a new blade and just sell it on afterwards.

However I have a router and that is how I did it last time. So I may just use my standard circular saw with a decent blade and then rout up to the line if that guarantees me a good finish.

I was just hoping not to have to faff with the router, but if that's the only way then no worries.

Yes watched a few of Tommy's Trade Secrets videos and he gives some good advice.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Pay a professional to do the job?

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Good one

dpb

Save yourself 500 quid by the looks

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

I would use a circular saw with a blade that has as many teeth as possible, the more teeth the cleaner the cut, also put masking tape on the cut line then draw the cutline on the tape and cut throuigh it. Also clamp a guide to follow so yoy can slide the saw as smoothly and consistently as possible without stop starting.

This is how I did it anyway with no splinters.