Good for jigsaw on laminate. How to saw a laminate: we select a tool

T from who at least once sawed wooden board regular saw or manual jigsaw, knows perfectly well how difficult it is to achieve a smooth edge with such tools. And for someone who has ever had to cut a laminate, it is no secret that, armed with an ordinary saw, you can’t lay a laminate floor, well, or lay it, but you are thoroughly tormented. Here you need a special tool - a jigsaw. In addition, the representatives of the stronger sex usually know what to cut both a wooden board and metal pipe The same saw will not work. Each material has its own file. So how do you cut laminate flooring?

If for an ordinary floorboard you need a file with a large tooth, then a laminate, like MDF panels, will fit only a small one. Blade manufacturers have developed a saw blade designed specifically for laminate flooring. Its teeth are characterized by a certain pitch and specific wiring, which protects the edge of the laminated board from annoying chips. In addition, the blade has an optimal width for cutting laminate, which allows you to make both straight and curly cuts with extreme accuracy. The file is made of a special material that, thanks to its flexibility, remains strong even in the most difficult situations. The world's leading manufacturers are well versed in the needs of their customers. That is why jigsaws with famous names have in the sales kit an additional set of the most popular files. A special file for laminate is no exception. If you are still unlucky, and you got your tool without a useful kit, you will have to go to the store and buy the necessary file.

Going to the store for files, do not forget to look at what kind of file is used for it. Not every file will fit your tool. It is not necessary to look for a saw blade of the same brand as the jigsaw. The main thing is that the file you choose has the appropriate type of shank. Each jigsaw fits a shank of a certain shape. There are jigsaws that are suitable for files with any shanks, but this is only if the power tool is equipped with a universal fastening mechanism. Do not be discouraged if you did not find a special file in the store. Choose a canvas, guided by several simple advice. For a figured cut of a laminate, select the narrowest and most flexible canvas. The teeth must be small. Such a file will allow high-quality cutting and will not damage the surface decorative coating. If you do not need curly cuts, you can choose a wider blade, but always with a fine tooth. Pay attention to the files, in which the tops of the teeth are directed in the opposite direction. This trick will help preserve the decorative laminated board and prevent chipping. If you can't buy a saw blade with a reverse tooth direction, try sawing the panels with the laminate facing down. In this case, the front side of the board will not suffer.

As you can see, everything is quite simple. How to cut a laminate is not difficult to figure out. Choose the right jigsaw blade, and you won't have to pay the master for laying the laminate, handle this task yourself, although it's not just about choosing the right jigsaw 😉

Laying laminate- the task is not difficult, but, as in any business, there are secrets and tricks here. It's about how to speed up, improve the quality and expand the possibilities of laying laminate with jigsaw. Practice shows that the quality of laying strongly depends on the quality of cutting the laminate elements on site. Nowadays, there is a jigsaw in almost any home, and professionals even more so.

Do I need to mention that the material to be cut requires a certain type of jigsaw blades? If you try to cut a laminate with a saw that is not intended for this, then there is a high probability of spoiling the workpiece with chips, uncontrolled “wobbles” of the file.

For satisfactory cutting of the laminate with a jigsaw, you will need a special file. Before you go to the store for a laminate saw, carefully read the contents of the case with your jigsaw. After all, in recent times manufacturers, in response to demand, began to add to the tool kit and special saw blades for laminate. Features of sawing on a laminate - the shape, pitch and method of setting the teeth, as well as the material of the saw blade. For example, Bosch positions one of the produced bimetallic blades "Special for laminate" as a saw blade for laminate, which is distinguished by its flexibility and high strength.

If it was not possible to buy a specialized file for laminate, then you can use a file with fine teeth and a narrow blade. For straight cuts, a wider file is also suitable. For figured and curvilinear cutting, the rule applies: the narrower the canvas, the more accurate the cut. It is recommended to make cuts reverse side laminate panels. This achieves an increased cleanliness of the edge of the cuts on the front side.

In some cases, laminate saws are used with the reverse direction of the tops of the teeth. In this way, the likelihood of chips when sawing from the front side of the material is excluded.

In any case, when choosing files for laminate, do not forget which file shank is required for your jigsaw. Please note that jigsaws usually allow the use of blades with several types of shanks. "omnivorous" jigsaws are also known, the clamping device of which securely fixes any files.

Saw blades for laminate, fiberboard, chipboard and plywood are manufactured by Bosch (Bosch T101AIF, Bosch T101BF, T101BR), DeWALT (DT2164, DT2165, DT2220) and others.

Bosch T101BR- a standard jigsaw blade for laminate, equipped with a reverse tooth. When working with this file, the glossy surface of the laminate does not tear, so the cut is smooth and neat. It is also suitable for work on glued wood.

Renovation work is often associated with laying laminate flooring, which has become popular due to its attractive appearance, easy installation and care. In the process of working on the floor covering, the need for trimming the lamellas inevitably arises. And this is where the electric jigsaw comes to the rescue. Any experienced craftsman who works with this tool knows that a jigsaw blade for a laminate must be selected carefully.

The electric jigsaw is one of the most preferred types of tools, since with it you can get a high-quality smooth cut that does not have chips, burrs and other damage on its surface.

Important! When working with a thin laminate, you can use an inexpensive jigsaw, the cost of which does not exceed 2000 rubles. With it, you can cut wood up to 7 mm thick. To cut more laminate with greater thickness, you will need a more serious tool with a power of up to 750 W and a cost of over 3,000 rubles.

If work of this kind is carried out on a regular basis, then it is better to immediately purchase a more expensive, but reliable tool. The table below shows the average cost for electric jigsaws as of July 2018.

Table 1. Average cost for jigsaws

Choosing a file

To obtain an even and smooth cut at the end of a laminate lamella, it is not enough to purchase a high-quality tool - the result depends on a properly selected file. Some manufacturers complete the tool with several types of files. It may happen that you do not need to purchase an additional file for working with laminate - it will be included with the tool.

From others, a laminate file is distinguished characteristics. The shape, pitch, tooth setting and blade material must be considered when buying a saw blade. So, a laminate saw blade from a well-known Bosch tool manufacturer is flexible and durable, since a bimetallic blade is used for its manufacture.

By and large, if for some reason it did not work out to find a file with a marking saying that it is designed to work directly with a laminate, you can pick up another one that has fine teeth and a thin blade. The result can be different:

1. A file with a wide blade allows you to get a high-quality straight cut.
2. For a figured or curved cut, a thin saw blade is chosen.
3. A neat edge on the front side of the lamella will be obtained if the cut is carried out from the outside.
4. To carry out an even cut on the floor on the front side, a file with reversely directed saw teeth is selected.

How to work with a jigsaw

The following rules will allow you to get a high-quality cut when cutting the laminate and simplify the trimming process itself:

Important! Many laminate manufacturers provide information on the packaging on how it is recommended to trim the lamellas - on the front or back side.

Video - How to cut laminate

Other laminate cutting tools and their features

In addition to the jigsaw, there are other ways to trim the laminate. Having one of them available, you can not buy a jigsaw, but use what is. You can get a neat cut without damaging the laminate board using a circular saw, a special cutter and a hacksaw. How to do this, we will tell below.

Cutter

it professional tool, which is quite expensive and is used by craftsmen whose work is associated with large volumes of orders for laying laminate. Such a tool is supporting structure with a very sharp blade. Cutting the board occurs in one step like a guillotine.

Using such a device, cutting can be carried out in different directions - along or across the lamella, while the length of the cutting element has a decisive influence on the quality of the cut along the lamella.

Table 2. The principle of operation of the device

Illustration	Description
	The handle of the mechanism must be pulled back.
	Lamel with applied markings is placed on the supporting structure of the mechanism. The cutting line should be located to the right of the knife.
	The handle of the knife is lowered smoothly and, pressing, cut off the necessary fragment.

There are no undercut marks on the front side of the lamella, and on the back, if necessary, torn edges are sanded with sandpaper.

What do you need when installing laminate flooring? Look for the answer in There you will find everything: from tools to instructions for self-laying.

Hacksaw for metal

Unlike a cutter, a hacksaw is the cheapest and most affordable tool for cutting laminate flooring. A hacksaw is in the household of every homeowner and can be used when you need to trim a small amount of laminate. The simplest hacksaw costs from 200 rubles.

In the process of trimming a laminate with this tool, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

The disadvantage of such a tool when performing this particular type of work is the complexity of the process and the need for skill. Laminate is a dense material, so you can practice on a board or plywood that is similar in structure.

The high cost and the availability of professional skills to work with this tool put it on a par with the cutter. The result when cutting a laminate with a circular saw is very high quality.

The process of sawing a laminated coating, although it is quite simple, requires certain rules to be observed. For best results, it is recommended to use a power tool with high power. The jigsaw will allow you to cut parts of various shapes and sizes, as well as prevent fluffing of the edges of the lamella.

In order for the process of cutting a laminate to be simple, and the cut to be neat, you should follow these rules:

1. Sawing lamellas should be at the maximum speed of the power tool.
2. It is desirable to go through the cutting line of the laminate at a time. Stops and slowdowns can cause slight bumps as well as chipping and other damage to the laminate flooring.
3. The pendulum mechanism of the jigsaw should be turned off.
4. When sawing, you must use saw blades for laminate flooring. In the case when the required saw blades are not available, you can use a file with small teeth.
5. When choosing and purchasing a file, it is important to take into account the figure of the parts to be cut. Thin blades are ideal for cutting round shapes, while wide blades are great for straight lines.
6. Reliable fastening of the panels will prevent the appearance of roughness and notches on the cut.
7. When the teeth of the jigsaw file are located, the top of the lamella should be laid face down. Sawing in this way will prevent damage to the laminated layer. In the case when the teeth are located in the opposite direction, the laminate must be cut with the face up.
8. For best results, press the material along the cut line.

Fast and confident cutting of the laminate will ensure the aesthetics of the finished elements, as well as reduce the processing time of the panels.

How to choose a blade for cutting laminated panels

Many manufacturers have laminate files in their product range, which are made of a special bimetallic alloy. They are distinguished by small teeth and sharpness, and also have increased strength and flexibility. The most popular blades for cutting laminate with an electric jigsaw are blades of the Bosch and DeWALT brands. The Bosch T101B saw blade is the standard saw blade for laminated boards. It will provide an excellent result when cutting both along and across the lamella.

For cutting out curly parts great solution file will become T119BO. It is characterized by a narrow blade and a special shape that prevents the saw blade from pinching on bends. In the case when the right saw blade is not at hand, the best way out is to use narrow models for metal with fine teeth.

When choosing a file, it is important to consider the type of shank, which must match the clamping device of the power tool used.

An electric jigsaw will help cut out various curly elements, provide an even cut without chips on the laminated layer. Working with the tool is quite simple, thanks to which even a novice master will be able to cope with the task. The use of special files will make the process of cutting the laminate accurate and convenient.