Laminate cutting & t-nuts

[rdagger]

I've read several posts that recommend cutting laminate with a utility knife.  When using a knife does it work better to score the front or the back of the laminate?  

Also does anyone have any recommendations for laminating over t-nuts?  I considered covering the nuts with wood putty, but was afraid that when I tighten the nuts it would either split from the laminate or pull the laminate in and warp it.  I'm leaning toward just covering the t-nut holes with masking tape so the contact cement doesn't get on the threads and then laminating over the tape.

[Bgnome]

i thought most people use a flush trim router bit for laminate?
anywho, if you are just gonna score it with a util knife, i assume it works the same way as plexi.  you score the front then bend it down to break off the piece.  you may also want to sandwich it between wood to get a cleaner cut and break..

[rdagger]

i thought most people use a flush trim router bit for laminate?

First I was going to cut the laminate with a utility knife to a size that is slightly bigger than the MDF.  Then I was going to use a router to flush trim it.

[Sylentwulf]

for the T-nuts, tighetn them with the bolts and joystick bases (or a nut, washers, piece of wood, whatever) and THEN wood putty the top of the T-nuts. That way th t-nuts don't get full of wood putty, and you won't have to worry about them tightening when you attach the joysticks

[rdagger]

for the T-nuts, tighetn them with the bolts and joystick bases (or a nut, washers, piece of wood, whatever) and THEN wood putty the top of the T-nuts. That way th t-nuts don't get full of wood putty, and you won't have to worry about them tightening when you attach the joysticks

The only problem is that if I loosen the bolts to remove the joysticks the t-nuts will push out on the putty and laminate.

[Sylentwulf]

The only problem is that if I loosen the bolts to remove the joysticks the t-nuts will push out on the putty and laminate.

Why? They shouldn't... The bolts come out, the T-nuts never move once they're in and expescially after they've been tightened.

[Bgnome]

why not use wood glue?  its sandable and would likely hold stronger than putty..

[rdagger]

Why? They shouldn't... The bolts come out, the T-nuts never move once they're in and expescially after they've been tightened.

When you tighten the bolt that goes into the t-nut it tends to compress the MDF and pull the t-nut towards it slightly.  I did a test on a small piece of MDF with 2 t-nuts.  I just covered the nuts with round stickers and then laminated over them.  So far it seems to be holding.

I experimented with cutting the laminate and found that the utility knife works well if you score on the top of the laminate and then bend the laminate toward the score line.  Scoring the back or bending away from the score line tends to chip the laminate.

[Bgnome]

I experimented with cutting the laminate and found that the utility knife works well if you score on the top of the laminate and then bend the laminate toward the score line.  Scoring the back or bending away from the score line tends to chip the laminate.

hmm..  wouldnt have figured to do it that way.  if it works, then what the hey.  even if it does chip a little, you are gonna trim it back anyhow

[Xphile]

why not use wood glue?  its sandable and would likely hold stronger than putty..

shrinks :-)

[shmokes]

I've found trimming laminate with a utility knife to be a pain in the ass, and causes anxiety (the knife tends to grab and release -- I'm always afraid it will release and jump into my knee or something).  I like using a jigsaw with a scroll blade.  It cuts with virtually no chipping and is much easier to control (just make sure that you are cutting with the non decorative side facing up or it will chip).