Replies

1. 
   bd | Jan 21, 2008 11:12am | #1

   I've gotten fairly good results using a quality general purpose blade. You can tape over the cut line w/ masking tape to help prevent chip out. If you don't mind the expense of a new blade, get one of the blades designed for melamine & veneers, etc. & use the tape.

   On the router side, they sell sets of bits for laminates. One to do the straight flush cut & one to add the bevel/chamfer on the top edge. If you're edging with wood, T-mould or something else, all you need is the bearing guided flush cutting bit. If you don't want to buy a bit to do the chamfer, you can get by with just a flush cutting bit & ease the edge of the top with a file. A lot of people will either use Crisco or Vaseline around the edge on which the bearing rides as a safeguard to prevent burning in the case of a bearing seizure or as the primary lubricant if they're using the bearingless pilot guided solid carbide bits.

2. 
   bigfootnampa | Jan 21, 2008 10:55pm | #2

   I use a single tooth carbide cutter to score the back side and then snap off.  NO SAW BLADE.  I use a file (followed by a sanding block)  to trim and bevel the edge... NO ROUTER BIT.  It takes a bit longer to get it done this way but actually saves a whole lot as you only have to do it once and use one set of materials.