what do you know about laminate?

[Kaido]

I was in Home Depot yesterday and came across sheets of that stuff. Some of the sheets looked really awesome. How do you apply it? How do you cut it? Some of them would make good finishes for DIY speakers and stuff. I'm googling but not finding much in the way of how-tos.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

use contact ahdesive, spread on both the backside of the sheet and the surface you are applying to.
use round wooden dowels spaced between the two to keep the sheet from sticking in the wrong place, and as you push the sheet down, pull out dowels one by one.

cut it with a router or a circular saw with a laminate blade (or a carbiude blade turned backwards). before cutting, apply masking tape to the face of the sheet to minimize chipping.

 

[Kaido]

will a bandsaw work for cutting it? I found a pattern called "verdi pompeii" or something, it's absolutely incredible in-person.

so if I read that correctly, spray the back and the surface, then space out wooden dowel sticks on the surface and put the laminate on top, then remove one by one and get it centered and press it down?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Kaido
will a bandsaw work for cutting it? I found a pattern called "verdi pompeii" or something, it's absolutely incredible in-person.

so if I read that correctly, spray the back and the surface, then space out wooden dowel sticks on the surface and put the laminate on top, then remove one by one and get it centered and press it down?

exactly. the best glue to use is contact cement. use a brush or weenie roller to apply it. I don't know if a bandsaw will cut it or not, you'd have to try.

 

[OffTopic1]

Most laminate uses contact adhesive, and some smaller area type uses heat iron.

1. Measure twice cut once and test the laminate over the surface before applying adhesive on the intended surface & laminate (leave 1/4 to 1/2 inch overhang on each side).
2. Almost any saw will be okay to use, and band saw is great (use fine tooth).
3. Use old pieces of wood/doweling that is longer than the surface for aligning the laminate (use enough wood so that the laminate don?t sag and adhere before alignment).
4. Pull the center support wood pieces out first and use a roller and roll from center to edge.
5. Use a knife, saw, or router to clean majority of the excessive overhang, then gently file clean (45 degree angle) the edge for a finish look.

 

[Kaido]

A roller like a dough roller in a kitchen? I'm not familiar with it if it's a shop tool.

so basically it looks like this from the side?

------------ > top layer
o o o o o > dowels
------------ > contact surface

I think I'm going to buy a small piece to experiment with. If I use this on a box, what's the best way to clean up where the edges meet? I've worked with caulking before when I installed window treatments. If I can find some black stuff like that to clean up the edges, that would probably make it look a lot better.

 

[Bryophyte]

Just remember to follow directions on the adhesive container. My brother in law didn't let the adhesive dry before sticking them together once and it peeled back up within days.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Just remember to follow directions on the adhesive container. My brother in law didn't let the adhesive dry before sticking them together once and it peeled back up within days.

youch. this is why I ask questions 🙂

I'm finding out building stuff is mostly about prep work. I used to do a lot of airbrushing and it's like 90% prep work when you're painting anything other than a t-shirt or canvas. I think Maximum PC has an article this month about case painting - it's just tons of prep and sanding. But, you avoid orange peel and get a great finish this way, so it's worth it. My first couple computer paintjobs were pretty flakey hehe. I've learned to do a lot of research before starting a big project :thumbsup:

 

[Lvis]

A laminate trimmer works best for the finish. Its just a tiny router, really. If you want a clean edge, they are the way to go.

Most rental places have them, but they don't cost much, either.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Lvis
A laminate trimmer works best for the finish. Its just a tiny router, really. If you want a clean edge, they are the way to go.

Most rental places have them, but they don't cost much, either.

I'll see how it does with a saw and file first. I'll only be using the laminate on speakers and subwoofers that I'm planning on building. Laminate looks dang nice :thumbsup:

 

[Lvis]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Lvis
A laminate trimmer works best for the finish. Its just a tiny router, really. If you want a clean edge, they are the way to go.

Most rental places have them, but they don't cost much, either.

I'll see how it does with a saw and file first. I'll only be using the laminate on speakers and subwoofers that I'm planning on building. Laminate looks dang nice :thumbsup:

I've heard it can be scored and broken with a utility knife. But I've never done it. I work on boats, and we use the stuff all the time.. I think you will be disappointed with the results using a saw and file.

But maybe it will work fine. Good luck