To laminate before or after sink hole has been cut?

[digitaldai]

A kitchen project, should I cut the sink cutout before or after laminating the Formica to the plywood.
30mm plywood, formica classic.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gq8Pi8tnkNGfV5eN6

many thanks.

 

[Orraloon]

I have never laminated a whole worktop but I have cut out a sink hole in one already laminated. My instinct says laminate first.
Regards
John

 

[Bingy man]

I agree with @Orraloon as if your measuring is not exact you have no wriggle room . You will of course need to take care cutting out the sink aperture to guard against chipping the laminate..

 

[Setch]

My gut says cut the hole first, then laminate and flush trim. If you cock up the hole in ply you can patch and get away with it. If you chip the laminate or stray from the line you're sh*t out of luck.

No experience to inform this position, so take with a pinch of salt.

 

[digitaldai]

I thought maybe laminate after as the trim router is very easy operation and is really unlikely to chip the laminate compared to cutting with saw.

 

[niall Y]

If you use contact adhesive and have cut the hole first, before fixing the Formica then the glue can make a gungy mess of the bearing router bit when you trim the opening.