Cutting high pressure laminate for cabinet doors

[Mark]

I'm planning a kitchen remodel and am going to use various colored HPL for the doors. Designed this for our last house but have to do it myself now due to budget. That said, can my TS55 with the right blade cut through the laminate and plywood core w/o any chipping? I'm trying to avoid the double work of cutting close and then to size with a trim router. I want to expose the plys on the edge of the doors (yes... it won't be the most bullet proof design but it looks sweet and finish it with something like OSMO. Advice/Experience? Thanks

 

[jonny round boy]

If it's good quality laminate, well stuck to the ply, and you're using a sharp blade & good edge strip on the guide rail, then no problems.

If you want to be doubly sure, clamp the rail to the panel, and set the blade depth to cut

 

[woodshopdemos]

I think JRB gave you as about the best answer there is. I would NOT take the chance. Any chipping will screw up the panel. I would cut panels to exact final dimensions. Cut the laminate to 1/2" greater on all four sides. Apply laminate using laminate adhesive. Trim with router. Hang.

 

[Mark]

Thanks for the advice. Given my skill level, John's method would be safer and I've done it that way before with smaller jobs. I've just used a J-roller most of the time but not sure its the best way to do a counter top. Should this just be jobbed out and I can site cut it to fit?

 

[woodshopdemos]

J-roller is the tool of choice. Laminating with that tool and good cement is easy and a good skill to learn. Be sure to use a laminate cement  and a good short nap roller. Too thick a coating is as bad as too thin.

 

[dirtydeeds]

what is high presure laminate

the prefix "high preasure" suggests there are various grades of laminate

i know laminate only under the general term of formica, altough there are a number of manufacturers

 

[mastercabman]

what is high presure laminate

the prefix "high preasure" suggests there are various grades of laminate

i know laminate only under the general term of formica, altough there are a number of manufacturers

Hight pressure laminate (AKA  "HPL") is plastic laminate such as Formica that you would use for counter top.