how do I cut laminate kitchen door?

matty_hunt

Hi.
I am thinking of getting a new black gloss kitchen from the Trade Depot. (any comments on that appreciated) The problem is that whilst the doors are black the rest of the unit is white and although one can buy black end panels I dont have the extra 18mm space for each end panel. So, I was thinking of buying the end panel and cutting them to replace the sides of the unit, which is flatpack, drilling the appropriate holes and constructing the flatpack unit using the black side peice instead of the original white one. However, as the end panels are silghtly larger than the unit side, to cover the unit side and the thickness of both top panel and bottem shelf, I will have to cut the rear and top edge off the black end panel. My question is, how do I cut a laminated chipboard panel without making a mess of it or splitting/chipping the laminate? Is this a reasonable idea?
Many thanks.

golfnutt

Use a jigsaw with a good quality worktop blade, they only cut on the down stroke. So no damage to the laminate.

ianeverton

I would cut it back with either a saw or jigsaw to within a few millimetres of where you want it to be finish cut.

Then i would use a very sharp router with an edge guide to get it perfectly straight.

This is the way to cut worktops without the surface cracking or splitting.

matty_hunt

thanks guys. I assume that would that be laminate surface face up?

golfnutt

Yes, and also mask the top so you dont scratch as you cut.