Working with Melamine

[UncleJoe]

I need to make some utility cabinets and for this application it looks like Melamine is the best option. Anyone have recommendations for blade choices, screws, or a special melamine glue???

I was thinking that I would domino the joints, but I am open to learning a better way if someone wants to share thier experience

 

[lwoirhaye]

You can get special screws for it.  They have coarse threads I think.  They aren't always sold as "melamine screws" but the general style holds better in the material.  I think McFeely's may sell them.  They work for a lot of tasks and I have them in various sizes but I don't know if the ones I have are "melamine screws" because they weren't labeled as such when I bought them from bulk bins at a cabinet supplies store.

Melamine glue works.  The Roo glue is superior but the other stuff works.

You want a ATB grind saw blade.  You can get those Oshlun ones and get some good cuts off them before chipping becomes an issue as the tips dull.  If you're using a table saw some very nice melamine specific blades are available at premium prices.

 

[ryanjg117]

I believe Iwoirhaye is mentioning CONFIRMAT screws and they are pretty amazing. Long, coarse thread and a lot of bite. The only challenge is drilling them into the edge of melamine straight - a jig can work wonders here. I also suggest buying a quality confirmat drill like this one made by Snappy. This drill is unique in that it has a slight taper so the screw will feed easier and then bite near the end. Add a bit of Melamine glue along the rest of the butt joint and you should have a much stronger connection than Dominos alone could offer.

 

[lwoirhaye]

Comfirmats are different.  They do work great on melamine though.  These screws have similar threads to confirmat screws but otherwise they look more like a bugle-head screw.  They don't require the complicated pre-drilling Confirmats do, though they do require countersinking.

This kind of general thing:https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-3-4-in-Melamine-Screw-and-Cap-10-Pack-9501050/202088921

 

[Peter_C]

I have built many 24" deep garage cabinets out of Melamine, with the majority being 8' high. Cheap, easy to work with, and looks pretty good when edge banded. Since I only have a biscuit joiner that is what I use. Typically I use the router to knock off the Melamine at the glue up point so I can glue wood to wood, although the Melamine glue is really strong. With biscuits and clamps I never use screws or nails. Typically I use a plywood backer routed in for attachment to the wall. For cabinet bases you can buy adjustable feet in different heights.

 

[gnlman]

Hi. I build all my shop cabinets from 3/4 inch melamine I believe it's called panolam...it has a pine core if I remember correctly.
I use dominos and glue them with regular titebond glue and pocket screws. I also build my drawers this way with 3/4 inch bottoms inset as well...good and strong, and once edgebanded look fine stand up to abuse and clean nicely.

I have tried titebond melamine glue as well, but while it works ok...you can break the joints apart, and I would not trust it on it's own. Have not tried any other glue as I get good glue results with the domino in the joints plus the pocket screws..I  have some heavy fasteners in some of the drawers, no issues so far. I should give the roo glue a try as well as the confirmat screws as they might be faster than pocket screws in some cases...then again I'm not usually in a hurry...lol

As far as blades, not sure if you are using a track saw or table saw...I found the blade that comes with the ts55 gives pretty good results but mine started to chip a bit more....could be getting dull as I use it for other wood too....I decided to try out a freud track saw melamine blade and it works very well...better than the festool blade...but then again it's fairly new...but it's less expensive, and allows me to keep my good festool blade for nicer wood projects.

For the table saw, my tool guy recommended this blade (see pics) and it works really good with a zero clearance insert....it actually cuts nicer than my tracksaw blades....I have a dewalt jobsite saw as I only use it on occasion for narrow cuts like drawers at times as it's easier than the tracksaw if the drawers are not too deep....but the cuts are without any tearout....this will also depend on what quality of melamine you are using...if it's crappy...you will get chipout no matter how good the blade....maybe scoring first or using tape might work....or just buy cabinet grade stock and be done with it....lol
Greg