can I plane laminate cabinet

kaydprew · #1 Jan 28, 2008, 09:49 AM

Getting a frig that is 1/4 inch too tall. Can I plane the laminate cabinet above to accommodate. thanks

twinkiedooter · Jan 28, 2008, 10:02 AM

I did the same thing when I got a new side by side refrig. I carefully planed the cabinet and I was okay. Just take your time. Wait until you get the refrig there so you can see just how snug a fit you will need. You can also see if the feet on the appliance can be adjusted also as some models have that feature before you go planing anything down.

glavine · Jan 28, 2008, 04:33 PM

i dont see how youd plan anything like that. the planner wont plane all the way across, which makes planning worthless if you can go all the way. figure out how much you need to take off and use a jigsaw to cut it with. make sure its a jig saw blade made for finish cuts. and also id tape the cabnit aswell to avoid any marks made by the tool. after you cut it take a orbitial sander say 80 grit or higher 100 and sand the edge smooth

Decorate Now Patterns · Jan 28, 2008, 06:20 PM

Make sure you know what is under the laminate. If it is pressed wood, then you'll need to re-glue a new piece of laminate over your edge or else it won't look nice. You'll need to be super-careful, as this is not a job that is going to hide oopses easily. And the potential for oopses is fairly high with this project. Overall, I'd avoid planing if possible.

Instead, see if removing the leveling feet will clear 1/4" for you. You can put the furniture sliders underneath the fridge, if needed and if there is room. If the sliders won't work, then small carpet squares can help the fridge slide across smooth floors without adding much height.

Ideally, move the cabinet up instead of planing it.

schwim · Jan 28, 2008, 06:28 PM

Planing laminate is not the way to go for two reasons:

1) planing laminate almost always leads to tearing the face of the laminate.

2) The substrate under laminate is very often chipboard. You don't plane chipboard.

I would use a router with a guide, which would leave you nothing more than two rounded corners at the ends, which you can solve with a fine tooth saw and a file.

If you attempt a jigsaw, you need to tape the face of the cabinet to reduce blowout, as even the finish blades hurt some laminates. I wouldn't use a jigsaw for the simple fact that it's very hard to cut a perfectly straight line.

As others mentioned, if you can see the new edge, you'll need to pretty it up a bit. It doesn't necessarily need to be an exact match as it's hidden by the fridge, but you'll sleep better knowing that it's pretty again

thanks,
json

glavine · Jan 29, 2008, 03:52 PM

do you know for sure that it is laminate..........if it is real laminate.. like it was a kitchen refacing job, then using a jigsaw may not be the best, unless its a metal cutting blade.

id wonder if you can access the screws, if you couldnt jsut take the cabnit down where you can use the better tools to plane it with. goodluck



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