You score the Formica along a straight line usually then just bend it up to snap it off. The edge is very sharp usually. You should cut it a little large then when stuck down you trim it down to precise size. These days people usually use an edge trimming bit on a router but a file sliding along the edge on a slight angle works equally well if slower and I find I often finish with a file anyway.
There is a special hooked knife with a carbide tip which drags along very nicely and scores the material however the tip of a sharp utility knife works well enough too. Sawing tends to chip and even crack the Formica or Arborite unless it is well stuck down already and generally works better cutting from the opposite side. Hope this helps. ----- Original Message ----- From: Scott Howell To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 5:34 AM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] sharp cutting tool Folks, I know this will sound a little crazy, but I'm trying to cut a piece of material with a utility knife and it just doesn't seem to be doing the job. Now this is a new blade, but let me explain what I'm cutting and how I'm cutting it and maybe the how and what are the problem. I purchased a sheet of material I believe it's formica, the same stuff most counter tops are made from. I need to cut this to fit the end of the counter top I am using as a desk. The guy at the store said a utility knife should do the trick. I've made a few passes and then tried digging in to cut through, but seems the knife first of all wants to skid around on the surface and just scratch the material. I then tried a really sharp pair of scissors which did help, but weren't really sharp enough. Now I realize I could get my Dremmel or even possibly my jig saw out, but I really was looking for a manual non- powered tool for such a simple task. So, the question is, do they make scissors that could be used for cutting material like this or is a utility knife my best option? tnx Scott Howell [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.4/1616 - Release Date: 8/16/2008 5:12 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
