Formica Cutting

M

me2

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Oct 11, 2003
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I have a sheet of formica that I need to cut for a counter top. Any ideas on how to cut it? I'll have quite a bit left. Can it be used for knife handles? Its pretty thick, so I'd probably have to split it.
 
Formica ?? The original Formica counter material was a paste applied hot to the counter !!! Then they came out with a laminate, a thin layer applied to MDF. Now they have a solid surface material similat to Corian. Corian IIRC is acrylic with a filler and patented. The other makers use Polyester with the same filler.They all have about the same properties. Yes they are used for knives .Perhaps not the toughest but I haven't dropped my kitchen knives to find out ! It's normally cut with carbide tipped saw blades.
 
A carbide saw blade turned backwards works the best when trying to cut it in pieces. If you glue it down before cutting then you need to cut from the backside to keep it from chipping.
 
It's been years since I've laminated a table with Formica. I just used a very sharp combo blade on a table saw. I think the Formica is a phenolic so you may want to be careful of the dust and fumes. the other way you can cut it is the score it then snap it. Cut it large, run the laminate over the edge, trim with a router bit with a ball bearing guide after gluing it to the table.

I used contact cement to glue the Formica to the table top.

The extra stuff, you can laminate several layers together to make thicker stock for knife handles.

ric
 
Are you sure you mean Formica,..... or is it Corian? Formica counters are a laminate, Corian is a solid material, and makes fine knife handles.
Stacy
 
What they said.
I was a cabinet maker for years and have used lots of plastic laminates and solid surface materials.

All of them are pretty much cut a little big with a carbide saw and finished out with a router.

any questions feel free to e-mail me
Cmott69@sbcglobl.net

C.J. Mott
 
Stacy, www.formica.com makes lots of stuff. My kitchen counter is Formica solid surface installed about 12 years ago !! There are other makers.
The original Formica was c.1950 " Another material called Formica ,forms a durable and good looking counter top.This material is installed hot and spread smoothly over the base to which it is applied. "
 
Thanks mete. I was aware that Formica came in a thicker surface, but thought it still had a composite base or core. I didn't know it came fully solid and that thick. I had assumed that the "solid surface" meant that the surface was solid over a base material, not laminated, but bonded. What does the center look like when cut in cross section?
Stacy
 
There are tons of makers of solid surfacing nowadays; Formica, Corian, Wilsonart, etc; if you want really wild colors and textures check out Avonite.
 
Crap, it is Corian. Sorry guys. I read the label on the edge and it is indeed Corian. I think I remember Dan Koster using it on some of his knives. Its 7/16" thick as well, so a good thickness to start with.
 
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