Laminated panels are one of the best flooring options. Compared to natural synthetic flooring, they benefit from natural texture and environmental cleanliness, and they have an advantage over classic parquet - higher practicality. However, during the installation phase, the user may encounter the problem of processing the panels. A delicate and moody structure is what a laminate usually sins with . How to cut this canvas is the main issue that will determine the quality of the future coating. The market offers several tools that can accurately and with minimal losses perform the processing of lamellas.
The nuances of cutting a laminate
The problems associated with the processing of laminated panels are caused by a whimsical decorative coating, which is sensitive to mechanical stress. The base of the lamellas is made of strong wood-particle material, but outside the manufacturers use heterogeneous layers that protect the laminate. How to cut panels is a question, giving an answer to which, first of all, it is necessary to focus on tools that are gentle in terms of physical impact. Cutting accuracy is important for the reason that strong chips and damage along the edges cannot be hidden in the future.
There is no universal and specially suitable product for such needs. The cutting operation is performed by tools that are initially oriented to work with wood or metal. Another thing is that there are modifications of tools that are more or less suitable for such work. For example, an electric jigsaw for a medium-power laminate is optimal for such needs when it comes to cutting a small number of panels. But if it comes to large volumes, then it is worth giving preference to a circular saw. There are other options for solving such cutting tasks that deserve special attention.
Cutting with a hacksaw
This is an elementary and most affordable way to cut a laminate. In this case, it is desirable to use a hacksaw for metal with small teeth. The process itself can be time-consuming and inconvenient, but in terms of the ability to ensure high quality cuts, this is one of the most successful options. A universal saw for the laminate is also presented on the market today, which allows the use of a wide range of working blades. That is, the user will be able to perform high-quality cutting of lamellas with different characteristics, changing the cutting nozzles accordingly.
Guillotine cutting
This is a less common tool, but it can also be useful in cutting laminated panels. It is a small mechanical device that looks like large scissors. The active knife in the process of cutting is lowered to the surface of the panel and separates part of it from the base. In the market, the guillotine for cutting laminate is presented in different versions, but all of them are effective only if the cutting is carried out in the transverse direction. This approach to cutting will make it possible to obtain smooth edges without chips and chipping.
Jigsaw cutting
The fret saw is the most productive and functional tool that allows you to cut laminate in a quality manner. With this device, you can quickly cope with any kind of panel - even from a series designed for commercial installation. But there is a drawback that a jigsaw has. Its price, even in budget versions, is about 5-6 thousand rubles. We are talking about models from manufacturers of the Bosch and Makita levels. Domestic counterparts may be cheaper, but their capabilities are an order of magnitude lower than that of products from foreign competitors. When choosing a jigsaw, special attention should be paid to ergonomics, functionality and cutting parameters.
Laminate cutting with a circular saw
In production, the cutting of laminate is performed on special equipment of high power. Circular saws are able to cope with a whole batch of lamellas of various types in a short period of time. However, to obtain a clean cut requires the use of a special model of the machine, designed specifically for working with tile products. There is also a classification according to the type of base - it can be manual or stationary. In the first case, the tool is installed on a stable platform, and manual modifications literally on weight can handle the laminate. How to cut hard panels - in the case of a circular, such a question will disappear by itself. If a hacksaw with a thin blade will stretch the operation for a long time, then a circular saw will allow cutting of several lamellas at the same time.
Tips for choosing the best tool
Do not think that the same jigsaw or circular saw is the best tool for any purpose. The fact is that laying a laminate with a correctly planned installation configuration can completely do without cutting. With minimal processing volumes, it makes sense to use a hacksaw for metal or a guillotine. In terms of cutting quality, the best result is shown by a jigsaw. The price of 5-6 thousand, of course, makes this option not the most attractive, but this tool may well be useful for solving other problems in the household. As for the circular circular saw, it is not worth purchasing it for private one-time needs. Rather, it is an option for professionals who regularly face the challenges of processing flooring. By the way, if a tool is purchased for universal work with wood-shaving materials, then circular saws due to their performance may be the best choice. In addition to a thin laminate, such equipment copes well with lags, parquet and traditional boards for crates.
Conclusion
Laminated panels are widely used mainly due to their decorative qualities. Pleasant wood texture decorates any room, organically blending into living rooms and office environments. Therefore, during the installation process, the SUV faces an important task - to maintain the outer layer with which the laminate is covered. How to cut lamellas - this issue is decided individually. The main criterion for choosing a tool should be the volume of material. On the other hand, if all of the above tools are available on the farm, then an electric jigsaw would be the best solution . Firstly, it is easy to use and requires minimal effort from the operator. Secondly, the cutting blade accurately and without unnecessary damage performs panel cutting along the intended line.