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Cutting Laminate on a Panel Saw
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor G: I have a laminate shear that will cut up to 24" width. From contributor T: You will need to support and fixture the laminate against movement as a first priority. Especially holding it down at the cut edge. Provide a backer sheet on both sides of the blade with as little space between the backer and the blade. Almost like a zero clearance insert. The next key will be to get the right blade for the application. You will need a blade with as many teeth as you can get due to how thin the material is. It should also have an ATB grind, preferably with a high angle ATB. The high ATB grind will pre-score the material as it goes through and pull less on the edges of the laminate. Most blades that are readily available with this configuration are made for sawing melamine. A thin kerf high ATB blade will be the best, and it will most likely be a custom tool, but very much worth it.
From contributor S: Isn't your blade going the wrong direction to avoid chipping along the cut? On a table saw you are cutting down through the face, but on a panel saw it will be coming through the back. A laminate trimmer, a couple of clamps, and a straight edge would be quick and easy. From contributor O: I've sandwiched laminate between throwaway 1/2" sheets before. Worked quite well - no movement - so it was a clean, accurate cut. Follow the advice on zero clearance. From contributor H: Put the laminate sheet in the panel saw backwards. Chips much less. From the original questioner: Thanks for the replies. I should have been more specific. I do put the sheet on the saw facing away from me, but am looking for the best way to hold it there. I haven't found a spring clamp that will fit between the slats of the saw (1265s), and taking additional sheets on and off the saw to hold it in place is cumbersome. Would you like to add information to this article? Interested in writing or submitting an article? Have a question about this article? Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below? 
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