How much of the sheet of laminate is usable?

[rootbeer]

I'm trying to see if I can get both sides of my cabinet onto one sheet of 4' x 8' laminate, but I'm not sure how much extra room I should allow for. Are the outside edges of a sheet of laminate usable, or do you need to trim them off to get a smooth edge? How much room should I allow between pieces on the laminate sheet?

I've got a layout mocked up in SketchUp, but I'm not sure if it's too tight. I have the cabinet sides right on the external edges of the laminate sheet, and at some points the two sides are only 1 3/4" apart. Is that doable, or too dicey?

[Le Chuck]

For a factory bit of laminate I try and get as close to the edge as possible.  Easier on the router, less waste, fit more on, etc.  I usually go for about 1/16 overhand unless there is damage (dinged corners are pretty common on sheets) but even then it sounds like you have more than enough room.

[rootbeer]

Thanks, LeChuck. Would you glue both pieces of plywood to the laminate before cutting them out, or cut the first side off the sheet once it's glued?

[Le Chuck]

I usually lay my laminate down on the ground (glue side up (sweep first)), then lay my project on it and pencil trace a side.  Then I'll cut/saw off the chuck I need so it's more manageable, leaving a little room to play with.  Then I spray both surfaces with glue, roller it on, wait about 2 minutes and route it clean with a laminate bit.  Lather rinse repeat.

I've seen people just plunk the whole side of laminate down and router it off but I don't like chewing through that much laminate, it wears out your blades a lot faster and leaves more room for error and I'm cheap and error prone.   

[rootbeer]

Sounds like a good method. Thanks for the help.