Kitchen worktop cutting

[cb7]

Hello,

New kitchen worktops (chipboard & veneer).

Instructions recommend cutting (sink hole) with worktop face-down, if using a jigsaw?
This goes against all my instincts. Surely face-up would give a neater edge (unseen anyway)?

Any advice welcomed.
Thanks, cb7

 

[big-all]

yes 100% from the top if using a jigsaw
if you use pendulum on the corners or the blade "wanders" its always 10 times worse underneath[farthest away from the machine ] because you have a guide wheel at the machine end

use a brand new blade [101 b or d]for each cutout
dont push to hard
keep the cut line clean
if the blade goes off line go back and angle the blade about 5 degrees the opposit way to help it bite back onto line

if the blade keeps stalling/jambing look underneath to check the blade hasnt gone way off line or trying to cut the workmate in half

 

[cb7]

Excellent advice.
I'm off to buy some new blades, then.

Many thanks big-all, for a quick and informative reply.
Hope I can return the favour some day.
All the best, cb7

 

[diyisfree]

probably too late now, but if the sink has a very narrow flange and you are worried the formica may splinter near the edge, buy yourself a downward cutting blade.

Another tip for worktops, If you cut a lot of scribe joints and want to save your router bit, after you have made your first pass with the router (about 10mm deep) trim off the waste with your jigsaw before completing your further passes.

This means the bit is only cutting your work piece and not going blunt cutting waste.

Ok carry on, sorry for interupting