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Pro and Cons of using laminate

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vader:

The next panel I build is going to find it's way onto my cabinate so I want ti to look as professional as possible and now gauwdy ( is that a word ? )  I've decided to use laminate and was wondering what are the pros and cons and what I should look out for...the biggest thing I saw was fingerprints on dark colors from what others have said and I wanted black or a very dark blue :( .  I ordered the flush trim bit earlier.  Any words of wisdom ?

Thanks

Tim

PS. The rest of the cabinet will be laminate also

neuromancer:

Work with the contact cement in a well ventilated area.

Use wooden dowel rods to keep the laminate from sticking before you want it to. That is, lay the rods on the plywood with the contact cement. Place the laminated (also with contact cement) on top of the rods. Position the laminate, and then remove the rods.

You need a J-roller to make the two parts stick together.

Bob

DrewKaree:


--- Quote from: vader88 on December 02, 2004, 10:34:14 pm ---The next panel I build is going to find it's way onto my cabinate so I want ti to look as professional as possible and now gauwdy ( is that a word ? )  I've decided to use laminate and was wondering what are the pros and cons and what I should look out for...the biggest thing I saw was fingerprints on dark colors from what others have said and I wanted black or a very dark blue :( .  I ordered the flush trim bit earlier.  Any words of wisdom ?

Thanks

Tim

PS. The rest of the cabinet will be laminate also

--- End quote ---
Drill the holes after attaching the laminate. 

If you're worried about fingerprints showing on your cabinet, then seriously think about why you're building a cabinet in the first place.  If you can't stand fingerprints, perhaps laminate isn't the problem  ;)

If you're gonna use T-molding great, but if you don't like the look, a 45o router bit will work just as well, and you may end up liking that look even better!



stevejt:

If you have never used laminate here are some things that might help:

Definately yes on the well ventilated area.  The fumes are HIGHLY flamible and can cause a flash fire.  They can also make you very sick, from headaches to vomiting.  If you are lucky, it would only make you high, but every one is different.

Do a small practice piece.  Make sure the bit height is set right, (very important).  Personally I like a 22 degree bit better than a 45, but thats just personal preference.  The 90 degree bit leaves a sharp edge that needs to be finished with a file,(unless you like a sharp edge,lol).

Go SLOW with the router.    It is important to keep it FLAT. If you angle it accidentally you can "burn" the corner.  It will dig into the corner down to the wood, ruining both peices of laminate if it goes deep enough.

It might be better for you to set it a TINY bit too high.  Obviously too low can ruin the edge.  If you set it a tiny bit too high, you can finish with a file gently.

Any corners where the router bit leaves a "round", can be finished off with a file, GENTLY.  The file can remove too much laminate just like the bit.

Good Luck

Steve



vader:

Thanks for the tips guys.  The bit I purchased is just a flush trim and I don't see anyway to set a angle on it so it looks like I will have to file down the edges.  I'll head over to MLCS to  see if they have what I need or if you could provide a link that would be useful.

Thanks

tim


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