DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

i've put in new worktops and have one exposed end! I'm going to put on a laminate edging strip using contact adhesive, what's the best way to cut/finish it??

Snip the excess off with a pair of side cutters and then file the edge to make a smooth finish.

[quote="plumbbob"]Snip the excess off with a pair of side cutters and then file the edge to make a smooth finish.[/quote]

side cutters?? what type of file wud u recomend?

Side cutters are, well, wire cutters. Check out product http://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=36412 ... 071&m=1228 from Screwfix.

Any fine flat metal file will do such as the from Screwfix.

http://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=25065 ... 071&m=1228

The excess can be removed very easily without damaging the laminate, but it may be a good idea to try a test first on a piece of scrap. The difficult part is following the front curve.

"side cutters??"

Yes I thought the same. Apart from the very obvious and expensive route of a laminate cutter or a festool then you can use the back edge of a sharp wood chisel held flat down on the top and at an angle to cut the protruding edging. Then you can rub off the sharp edge with 340 grit "wet n dry".

Alternatively asharp fine toothed hacksaw blade will also do the trick but you'll probably need to file some of the edging before using the wet n dry.

Trust me, I am no novice at this. It is the standard way of trimming the laminate.

Once you have done a few dozen edges or so, they can be done neater than with a electric trimmer, and not that much slower either!

We bought one of those electric trimmers a few years ago, and we all decided it was rubbish as it often chipped the front edge, and you could never do the last few inches against the wall.