cutting formica?

[keith ouellette]

I always get this confused. If you have formica on sheet goods is it formica side down or up for chip free cutting and does taping the cut first help reduce chipping?

[Gary Keedwell]

I always get this confused. If you have formica on sheet goods is it formica side down or up for chip free cutting and does taping the cut first help reduce chipping?
What saw will you be using?
Gary

[Art Mann]

I would cut it shiny side up on a tablesaw. Taping the cut line will probably help too. However, making a clean cut on the original sheet isn't very important anyway in most situations. You normally apply the material oversize and use a trim router or file to trim the edge smooth and flush.

[keith ouellette]

What saw will you be using?
Gary
It is a jet 3hp exacta table saw. The formica is bonded to luan with contact cement.

[Steve Clardy]

Tablesaw, good side up

[Russ Massery]

Ditto on Steve's Reply... I might add at least a 40 tooth blade. and a slow feed

[Gary Keedwell]

It is a jet 3hp exacta table saw. The formica is bonded to luan with contact cement.
Table saw...good side up. The blade is spinning down into the work, there-for the splinters occur when blade is exiting the wood (formica).
Gary

[keith ouellette]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Good side up.