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  1. #1
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    Default Cutting Laminate Benchtops

    Hi All,

    I am about to embark on the ludricrous kitchen reno project in a semi-half-hearted fashion.

    However my question actually relates to jigsaw blades, so I thought I'd throw it in the general forum.

    Bosch make a lovely little laminate special jigsaw blade - however it's specs only suggest that it can be used up to 30mm depth. Benchtops are generally around 33mm depth.

    That being the case, anyone got any suggestions for what blade I can use for my cutouts? (sink, cooktop etc).

    Cheerio,
    sCORCH
    Yes - I'm a lawyer.
    No - I won't bill you for reading this.

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Are you talking about a laminate benchtop on which the laminate itself is a thin veneer of, well, laminate, backed by particleboard or MDF? If so, any good wood cutting blade will do the job.

    Or maybe I don't understand the question.
    Cheers,

    Bob



  4. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke View Post
    Are you talking about a laminate benchtop on which the laminate itself is a thin veneer of, well, laminate, backed by particleboard or MDF? If so, any good wood cutting blade will do the job.

    Or maybe I don't understand the question.
    Gidday,

    Sorry - yes I am talking about a particleboard backed laminate benchtop.

    Fair answer - I would assume that I should get a fairly fine cutting blade to avoid tearout though.

    Thanks for your help,
    sCORCH
    Yes - I'm a lawyer.
    No - I won't bill you for reading this.

  5. #4
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sCORCH View Post
    Gidday,
    Fair answer - I would assume that I should get a fairly fine cutting blade to avoid tearout though.

    Thanks for your help,
    sCORCH
    Yes.

    And also, you might want to tape the cut line with mask tape, which will help prevent tear out. And keep the shoe of the saw hard flat against the benchtop (DAMHIKT! ).

    The lip of the new sink, cooktop, etc. should cover any minor tear out, if it occurs.
    Cheers,

    Bob



  6. #5
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    Default

    Scorch,

    I would just use a sharp new blade for the job. It is for a sink and cooktop right? You don't need a tip top finish. I've done the same on 3 bench tops (ironbark and chipboard) using a standard rip blade. Just go slowly and it will work fine.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  7. #6
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    Don't listen to Bob, listen to me.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  8. #7
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    Default

    You can get one from them that has the teeth reversed so that it cuts on the down stroke, I use this one when I did the cutouts on laminex benchtop, but beware you need to hang on to the jigsaw as it will try to push it up whilst cutting.

    The part number is Bosch T101BR, they don't like tight curves thought but you can still do it just need to go slower or pre-drill the corners first with a hole saw or spade bit.
    Cheers

    DJ


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  9. #8
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    Default

    I believe you can get an upcut down cut blade where the teeth change over half way for plywoods and laminated boards. I think mine was a makita and my top was thicker than normal (last house so cannot measure). But I agree with the others that providing you are careful and stick to the template the lips will cover the chips.
    I never make mistakes, I thought I did once but I was mistaken

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  10. #9
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Wongo View Post
    Don't listen to Bob, listen to me.

    Thanks Wongo.

    Should I listen to DJ, do you think?

    sCORCH
    Yes - I'm a lawyer.
    No - I won't bill you for reading this.

  11. #10
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    DJ is OK but Bob is not.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wongo View Post
    Don't listen to Bob, listen to me.
    Scott,

    Don't make me fly all the way over there.



    And yes, there is a down cut jigsaw blade. But let's not make a mountain out of a molehill.
    Cheers,

    Bob



  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by sCORCH View Post
    Thanks Wongo.

    Should I listen to DJ, do you think?

    sCORCH
    Only listen to me. They are having a lend of you. Bunch of Galahs!
    Cheers,

    Bob



  14. #13
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    Jan 2005
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    Default

    Hi fellas,

    Now I must confess to knowing stuff all about this, however, the only tip I got from a kitchen bloke was to cut out the sink holes from the bottom.

    That is, mask the bench top on the cut line, turn it over, duplicate the cut line on the bottom side and cut out with a standard up stroke blade with the jigsaw on the underside face. This way you get reduced top face tearout and the saw is held against the face as normal.

    Well that is it, my only knowledge on the subject. If you were already doing this and I have missed it and just wasted some electrons writing this, then apologies in advance, please ignore and carry on.

    Cheers
    Pops

  15. #14
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    Default

    just use a chain saw with a sharp chain, the sink and cook top has a good 25mm cover all the way around. no need to pre drill the coners.

  16. #15
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    Default

    Dont lissen to any of the other wombats!! Pops is da man!! he knows all lissen to Pops

    Says he with huge quantities of major stuffups with kitchen benchtops under his belt and jugsaw blades! REMEMBER TO TAPE THE DAMNED THING!!!! BOTH SIDES!!! friggin unholey mess will result if you dont... AND!! another thing start with a drilled hole about a half inch inside the line of cut DO NOT BELIEVE the bussards that say you can just lean the jugsaw down and it will make its own entry slot... flucked up my last one at a cost of 400 with that bloody bit of bs

    But then Im always lissenin to the so called "experts" gotta stop doin that

    But lissen to Pops... dont lissen to Scot the wollywongo or that seppo wannabe bloke DJ kinda knows a few things so hes okay just not them other sods they'll not hessitate to lead you fair up the garden path down to the creek an leave the flamin paddle on the shore!... drunken soaks the lot of em! Just my kinda good people eh! But then I never said lissen to me neither that would or could be right dangerous!

    Just gerrinnait boyoh its not brain science like dovetails an other such mysteries!!
    Believe me there IS life beyond marriage!!! Relax breathe and smile learn to laugh again from the heart so it reaches the eyes!!


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