Cutting worktop with circular saw

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March 5, 2004 at 3:33 pm #5250
mk1wight	As this is my first post may I start by saying how useful I find the tips and comments. – Thank you. My question is on cutting worktops with a circular saw. Does it require a special saw blade or will a general purpose tungsten tipped blade suffice – and is there a recommended minimum machine power. My saw is a 1020 watt Black & Decker Pro-line fitted with a 24T blade
March 8, 2004 at 6:03 pm #5251
timfoley	Cutting worktops using a circular saw is best achieved remembering that the more teeth the blade has, the better the finished cut will be. 24T will provide a far inferior finish to the laminate than an 80T blade but it also depends on the application of the cut top. If you are cutting a finish up to a wall or cutting out for a sink or hob then utilising a circular saw with an 80T TCT blade is acceptable. For the purpose of front edge finishing or worktop joints the finish requires an even better finish and a router should always be used. As for your saw, if it is capable of cutting beyond the depth required then it is suitable albeit at a slower rate than a more powerful motor. The only acceptable case for using a 24t blade when installing a kitchen, is when cutting tops or boards oversize in readiness for a neater finish.
March 8, 2004 at 7:38 pm #5252
mk1wight	Tim, Thanks for your reply. As far as I can find so far a 40 tooth blade is the maximum that fits my 184mm dia circular saw. It sounds like I will either need to find an 80T blade that fits my saw or invest in a bigger machine that gives me a greater choice of blades. I guess more importantly I had assumed that a sawn finish would be acceptable for visible worktop ends. I am looking to buy a router for jointing and will experiment with finishing worktop ends as well. Mark
March 8, 2004 at 11:09 pm #5253
timfoley	Forgive me Mark, The maximum number of teeth available for circular saws employing a 184mm blade seems to be 48 and this will provide an acceptable finish for up to wall applications. Your saw will prove suitable for the above application but it’s worth investing in a reputable 1/2 inch router for a professional finish particularly if you have ambitions to use it on a regular basis. A favourite tool of many kitchen installers is a flip over saw and these are utilised for fillers, corner posts, plinths etc. As these employ an 80T x 250mm circular saw blade a neat spelch free finish is assured.
March 9, 2004 at 9:48 am #5254
mk1wight	Thanks for clarifying that, Tim, I don’t think my budget will run to a flip over saw just yet but I shall certainly be investing in a router; and a 48 tooth blade for my circular saw. Mark
March 12, 2004 at 10:11 pm #5255
swifty	I would like to add one bit of advise if I may When using a circular saw on laminate worktops it’s best to start at the radiused front edge and with the laminate face down to prevent chipping.
March 12, 2004 at 11:25 pm #5256
timfoley	Thanks swifty, This is vital for achieving a good finish to the face side