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View Full Version : Can laminate cabinet doors be cut with a circular saw


rrmaison
Mar 17, 2009, 09:28 AM
My laminate cabinet doors are damaged at the bottom from being knocked with the broom. I would like to cut off about a quarter inch at the bottom with a circular saw and glue on a new laminate strip on the cut edge. Can a circular saw do a good job and what saw blade would I use?

rtw_travel
Mar 17, 2009, 10:10 AM
A circular saw blade would not do that good a job - you'd have to be really careful to keep a straight edge, and laminate chips easily. A table saw using a laminate blade would be much better. You'll also need a router to finish the new laminate edge... unless youi're really good/ lucky with a file. The other problem is that you'll end up seeing the bottom edge more after you replace it because the new bottom laminate strip will overlap the front piece. (they would have been made with the front overlapping the bottom so that you notice the joint less.)

Is the bruised piece you're trying to replace on the front edge or bottom edge? Can you really lose 1/4" at the bottom of the cabinet door and still have it look OK?

amricca
Mar 17, 2009, 10:34 AM
Why re-laminate the bottom edge at all? (I assume these are lower cabinets because they are being damaged by a broom) Just peel off the damaged laminte and seal it with a good primer and let it be, then you avoid the issue RTW is mentioning.

rrmaison
Mar 17, 2009, 08:55 PM
If I cut 1/4" I will remove all the damage on the face. I intend to paint them once the damage is repaired. I thought I could buy 5/8 inch laminate strips to glue on. The tops of the doors have a wooden strip glued on that I wouldn't know how to duplicate and would probably have to replace all the doors, so I am hoping cuting with a laminate blade on a table saw will work.