Laminate MDF: Which circular saw blade?

[jjasniew]

I got one shot at this, to make a nice clean cut on laminated MDF, about 2" thick. I have a circular saw, was hoping to use one of these two blades. Thanks!

 

[DPH]

Left if you must, but OOOF!

If you can be kind to yourself, go to a big box store and get a Diablo 7 1/2" 48t semi-finish. It's a nice balance between clean cutting and material removal. It's also awfully affordable. Below that I'd recommend the 24T rip and if you want to splurge and go slow, the 60t.

 

[jjasniew]

"Diablo 7 1/2" 48t semi-finish" I'll look for one next time I'm in walmart or Home Deep.

Thanks DPH!

 

[Mark Tillotson]

I'd not worry about the cutting blade if you can finish the end result somehow, sander, router or whatever.


2" is a big cut for a 7" blade, go slowly...

 

[jneutron]

Laminate tends to chip. I've only been able to prevent chips by having a backing board hard pressed against the laminate. But that is going to make the work 3 plus inches thick. Is it laminated both sides, or only one?

jn

 

[Steve Luck]

Lots of masking tape where you are cutting and or thick sacrificial card or ply. Triple chip tungsten tipped blade would be good too.

 

[MAAC0]

I've renovated my house and used this
guilhotina wolfcraft corte laminado wolfcraft - leroy merlin portugal

And .... the blade is not sharp.

 

[boswald]

Find someone local who does kitchens, talk to his carpenter.

 

[phase]

I had used the blade that had been used on many projects prior here when I cut my counters some 15 years ago. I recall cutting from the back side.
Just go slow, and use a guide, maybe clean any residue from the sides of the blade first.

 

[altec9440]

Try Matrix or other brand twin blades saw. One blade turn on the opposite of the second one. Clean cut through adhesive tape.

 

[DPH]

I had used the blade that had been used on many projects prior here when I cut my counters some 15 years ago. I recall cutting from the back side.
Just go slow, and use a guide, maybe clean any residue from the sides of the blade first.

You want the "a-face" to be entry point of the cut so that any chipping/blow out occurs on the "b-face". Circular saws spin such that the bottom is cut first which pulls the saw to the material rather than push it away, increasing stability. So, yes, you're correct. 🙂

 

[H713]

You'll get the best cut on MDF using a blade designed for MDF/laminate (they exist- might not be cheap though) and a nice heavy guide.

If you can possibly afford it, a track saw is an amazing tool that will change your life.