Can I cut solid laminate with a jigsaw?

tadaska · Post by **tadaska** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:19 am

Not sure if this is the right sub-forum but here it goes.

Like the title says, is it possible to cut solid laminate with a jigsaw and achieve a clean cut?

I'm just a DIYer, no experience in this area at all.

I will need to make it shorter and narrower and make a cut-out for the column.

The edges I cut will be going against the walls so it doesn't have to be 100% perfect I suppose but got to be good enough. Maybe a bit of imperfection could be masked with some dark sealant applied into the gap between the wall and the worktop?

If it can be done which type of blade should I buy for the jigsaw? Or is the material going to be too tough and should be done with a different tool?

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:32 am

You would be a lot better off using a decent handsaw for most of that to be honest

You would just need to use the jigsaw to start the cut where it goes against the face of the pillar

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:40 am

If cutting from the top, use a down-cut blade, if your jigsaw has pendulum action, turn it off (0), do not let blade overheat. If using a conventional blade or a circular saw, cut from the back.

Minor chips, if any, can be sanded with 240 grit on a block. See this page:

solid-laminate-worktop-installation-instructions

ahfix · Post by **ahfix** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 12:18 pm

Use a board clamped down as a fence to keep the jigsaw straight.

ah

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:18 pm

Jigsaws are the most useless bit of kit going in my opinion, they do nothing well. If you think about the blade action is goes up and down which tends to cause breakout on both sides of the cut. You can try to minimise this by taping the cut lines but it can still chip. Another thing you can do is cut it proud and finish off by planing down to the line. A table saw does it better as the rotation of the blade is in one direction and you can reduce breakout by laying thin ply or an offcut on the good surface and cut them sandwiched together.

If a jigsaw is your only tool then cut proud and plane down, assuming you have a plane.

DWD

tadaska · Post by **tadaska** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:48 pm

I think I'll cut using a handsaw and then sand it down. My jigsaw does scare me a bit.

But how do I get a perfect fit? I thought I'll just measure and mark it on the board. But now I am having doubts. What if things are not quite straight and I get gaps.

Any clever ideas? Maybe I should make a template out of cardboard or something?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Wed Jun 23, 2021 1:52 pm

Yes, a template is always a good idea. Leave a bit of nibble room.

DWD

oz0707 · Post by **oz0707** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 5:21 am

Bosch do some called clean cut for plastic carbide. Had to use them for a solid lam washroom the other week. Plenty of masking tape as the were up cutting. Can always cut from bottom if it helps.

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:40 am

Of course if you have plenty to off cut, do a trial near the waste end before your actual cut.

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:55 am

A router will give you the best finish.

Several vids here on working with solid laminate:- https://llandafflaminates.co.uk/zenith- ... -worktops/

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:05 am

Whatever you do don't cut a worktop from below with a jigsaw!

If you do when you turn it over you're likely to find the blade has wandered 10mm or so from the cutline at the top!

You can get downward cutting blades but they tend to make the saw jump unless you put a hand on the top to add pressure

tadaska · Post by **tadaska** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:10 pm

I started cutting with handsaw. It cuts nicely but it ain't worth the effort I'll be at it for hours.

I'm thinking a mini circular saw would be nice. Never used one. From looking at pictures it looks like the guard covers the blade and you can't see where you are cutting. And I would not trust those flimsy looking guides.

Is there a hand held mini circular saw that lets me see where I am cutting I could buy?

ahfix · Post by **ahfix** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:41 pm

I bought one years back, spend a couple extra £££ and by a full sized 18v if you can. (or 240v). Much more usesful in the long term ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VskDj-x ... uckleheads

Search youtube for tutorials.

tadaska · Post by **tadaska** » Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:14 pm

I decided to give my jigsaw a try. It's better than by hand. Not able to keep a straight line but it's a bit faster. Still, that stuff is tough. The blade turned all shades of blue and purple almost instantly and it starts smoking. But I just keep going. I'm using Bosch Clean for Wood blades. Slow but no chipping. I think I'll just recess the board into the wall. I have a feeling it's going to be easier than sanding that board down to the right size.

ayjay · Post by **ayjay** » Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:09 am

tadaska wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:10 pm Is there a hand held mini circular saw that lets me see where I am cutting I could buy?

It's not necessary to see the cutting line if you clamp a straightedge to the workpiece and run the saw against the straightedge, you just need to first measure from the edge of the saw's baseplate to the side of the saw tooth and set the straightedge that distance away from the line.

If you're only cutting off a very small amount, find something the exact same thickness as the workpiece to support the other side of the saw's baseplate, (to keep the cut at 90°).