TAKE NOTE ON THE ORDER OF PROCEDURE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAMINATE COUNTERTOP. Countertop Procedures

Step one Step two Rip one side to 11-1/4” Glue solid piece flush with the top and equal to the length. Do NOT nail this board on. Glue and clamp only. You can do step 3 while this is in clamps. Countertop Procedures

Step three Step four Cut ¾” strip to fit on the bottom opposite end. Glue and nail this piece in with 1-1/4” finish nails flush with the front of the top. Cut laminate piece to 12-1/2” by 12-1/2”. Cut laminate strip 2” by 12-1/2”  You can use a table saw.  Portable circular saw.  Fine tooth hand saw.  Utility blade and straight edge. Write your name on the bottom of the laminate and the bottom of the your top in permanent marker to prevent theft. Procedure Continued ….

Step five Step six Procedure Continued …. Thoroughly sand and clean the surface where plastic laminate is to be applied. Remove any glue or rough edges before applying the laminated plastic. Apply two coats of cement to the edge. Then apply one coat of cement to the back of the laminated sheet. Edges must be done first. Do NOT glue the solid wood edge.

Step seven Step eight Once it has dried and slightly tacky to the touch, then use your fingers to help center the strip across the front edge. Apply even pressure with a block of wood. Use the router with a straight trim bit to cut the excess laminate from around the edges of the top. Use a file to flush out the laminate with the surface of the counter and surrounding edges. Procedure Continued ….

Step nine Step ten Brush or roll the contact cement onto the counter surface. Also apply a smooth and even layer of contact cement to the back of the laminate sheet. Let both surfaces dry. Check the contact cement label for the recommended drying time. Should be slightly tacky to the touch. Keep the sheet of laminate and cemented base apart until they are correctly positioned. Then apply even pressure with a block of wood or laminate press roller. Procedure Continued ….

Step eleven Step twelve Use the router with a straight trim bit to cut the excess laminate from around the edges of the top. Use a file to flush out the laminate with the surface of the counter and surrounding edges. Produce a slight 45° angle on the laminate edge side only. Procedure Continued …. Use the router with a ½” round over trim bit to cut a detail on the edge of the solid material. Create a step on both the top and the bottom of the front edge of the top where the solid material is located.

Step thirteen Step fourteen Use the sanding block to clean the solid front edge free from any router marks, and any excess glue from the laminate. Start with 80 grit paper, and move onto 150 grit to finish. If you want to apply a finish to the front edge then go ahead and do so, it is recommended but not required. Grading is all that is left. Good luck with the project. Procedure Continued ….

Things to note. Table saw Chop saw Router File File card Sanding block Nail gun Glue Contact cement Lacquer thinner