How to cut laminate worktop

[weirdbeardmt]

Hi.

I’m starting the process of building a router table. I have an off cut of kitchen top that I think would be good for it.

I’d like install some T track etc in it for the fence and looking for some advice on the best way to rout this in so that the surface itself Is as neat as possible. I’m wondering if it’s best to just score and cut the sections first.

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Orraloon]

I have cut kitchen top with the table saw and got a reasonably neat edge. I have also routered out an opening for a router plate. If the bit is sharp and you take lite skims of just a couple of mm to avoid heat buildup it should be fine. Try test cuts on a scrap piece first.
Regards
John

 

[Doug B]

The corner joints in laminate worktops are generally cut with a router which leaves a very crisp machined edge, personally that would be the way I’d go about letting in your T track plus the height adjustment feature on routers make setting depth of cut a doddle.

 

[TheTiddles]

Router, take a shallow pass through the laminate top then plough in
Aidan

 

[weirdbeardmt]

thanks all. Currently trying to get my head around the various kits that exist for this purpose. Ranging from the cheap shift you can get for t-bar to the eye-wateringly expensive (and constantly out of stock) UKJ router table kits...