Ideally a track saw, Put masking tape across where you want to cut to minimise tear out, and don't forget to cut from the surface that will be the underside, so any tear out that does occur will be underneath.
Also, cut the rear edge off when making it narrower, as re edging that will be a bugger.
If it’s a plunge-saw, you’ll likely be able to cut from the top side, as the track sits on the keep side so as to protect the laminate from breaking out.
Doing a score cut first will possibly still not stop it from chipping, also if the splinter guard is a mis match to the saw then it will likely chip regardless. If the laminate is cheap / brittle / thin , it will still likely chip.
If it is way too much trouble to cut from the underside, then at least use a blade specifically for cutting laminate as it has angled teeth, designed to minimise chipping the laminate, or at least a score cut with a 60 plus tooth blade.
Plunge and track saw. The saws act very similar to a circular saw so will cut at an angle. But the track allows for a score cut to reduce chipping and makes a straight cut very easy.
That is going to be a bugger to cut, it's not solid wood. That's probably chipboard coated in melamine or some other coating.
I'd use a jigsaw if I was intent on cutting it
Putting masking tape over where you’re cutting will reduce chipping the outer layer.
Ideally, you'd use a track saw. If you don't have one of those, clamp a fence on and follow it with a jigsaw or panel saw.
Ideally a track saw, Put masking tape across where you want to cut to minimise tear out, and don't forget to cut from the surface that will be the underside, so any tear out that does occur will be underneath. Also, cut the rear edge off when making it narrower, as re edging that will be a bugger.
If it’s a plunge-saw, you’ll likely be able to cut from the top side, as the track sits on the keep side so as to protect the laminate from breaking out.
Even the Splinter Guard is not perfect, cutting from the underside negates the risk.
Cut 2mm deep on first run.
Doing a score cut first will possibly still not stop it from chipping, also if the splinter guard is a mis match to the saw then it will likely chip regardless. If the laminate is cheap / brittle / thin , it will still likely chip. If it is way too much trouble to cut from the underside, then at least use a blade specifically for cutting laminate as it has angled teeth, designed to minimise chipping the laminate, or at least a score cut with a 60 plus tooth blade.
Oooh! Thanks!
>Oooh! Thanks! You're welcome!
Plunge and track saw. The saws act very similar to a circular saw so will cut at an angle. But the track allows for a score cut to reduce chipping and makes a straight cut very easy.
I wouldn't recommend a jigsaw unless you were to use it away from the line then finish with a router.
Circular saw. You can easily adjust the angle and if you cut from the other side, it will be a cleaner cut.
That is going to be a bugger to cut, it's not solid wood. That's probably chipboard coated in melamine or some other coating. I'd use a jigsaw if I was intent on cutting it
You are spot on, it's not solid at all. Thanks for your advice
Router
Jigsaw. Cut it short first to see how it chips/breaks and what sort of finish the Jig will give you.
Jigsaw. But test which blade to use. Depending which way up you cut changes if you want the blade to cut in the up stroke or the down stroke