Laminate for TS station

[BigguyZ]

Hi,
I'm finishing up on my workbench (I'll post pics when I'm done), and my next project is a table saw station for my Craftsman contractor's saw. I'm going to be using a design in the Shopnotes #89 issue. What I need to find is the laminate veneer for the top. I tried using google, but I get either wood veneer, or laminate flooring.

Now, I can find vinyl laminate, but not at a size of a sheet that will cover the table surface w/o a seem. Anyone have a resource where I can get a 4'x8' sheet of vinyl laminate?

thanks!

[JoeyGee]

Do you mean vinyl laminate for floors? That's the only vinyl laminate I am familiar with. I am confused as to what you are looking for. Why not use a laminate made for counters? Both HD and Lowes carry that in 4X8 sheets, but it sounds like that is not what you are looking for.

[BigguyZ]

What I am refering too would be a veneer that you could apply to a double thickness of 3/4" MDF to seal/ protect the top of a work surface.

Here's the link to the online extra for that Shopnotes issue.
http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/089/...aw-workcenter/

[cabinetman]

Not to get too technical, but it's actual called "high pressure plastic laminate" or just called "mica". Melamine surfaces are a "low pressure plastic laminate". Here's a little dity on mica:
http://www.panelart.com/rex16.htm



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[BigguyZ]

Not to get too technical, but it's actual called "high pressure plastic laminate" or just called "mica". Melamine surfaces are a "low pressure plastic laminate". Here's a little dity on mica:
http://www.panelart.com/rex16.htm



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

Sweet- so where would I buy some? From a cabinet shop, as advised? Or online? I'm cheap, so whichever would be less $$.

[THyman]

Sweet- so where would I buy some? From a cabinet shop, as advised? Or online? I'm cheap, so whichever would be less $$.

Home Depot or Lowes carries it. It will be with the kitchen/bathrrom cabinets and should have several colors to choose from.

[cgallery]

Yes, it is HPL = High Pressure Laminate, common brands are Formica and Wilson Art. Keep in mind that besides the large number of colors/patterns, there are also different surface textures. If you are sliding material across the top, you want a smooth, glossy finish.

I've purchased mine at Menards and Lowes. Home Depot around here doesn't stock any. I've purchased full sheets (4x8) with small defects for $10 to $15 (just have to ask for a price adjustment).

Good luck and don't forget the pictures!

[BigguyZ]

Well $10 to $15 I can afford! I'll definitely check out Menards first- there's several close by where I work and live. Lowes is a bit of a drive.

Now if only I could find a cheap source of plastic edge wrap...

[cabinetman]

Just a few more details. It comes in two thicknesses. The first (recommended for vertical grade application) is 1/32" thick or sometimes called V32. For countertops 1/16" is recommended. It also is available as a solid color through, called "color core", which has no backing to show when filed. The mica that is slightly textured provides a better "slip" than the slick glossies. For suppliers other than big box stores, look in local yellow pages under different headings, such as:

Plastics: Sheets, Rods, Tubes
Cabinetmakers' Equipment & Supplies
Mica
Plastics: High Pressure Laminates

The headings in your area might differ. You might call some local cabinet shops and nicely ask where to buy. They just might have some leftovers to sell you. Tell them you know me.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[BigguyZ]

Usual practice on small jobs like yours is to use the same laminate on the edges as is used on the countertop.

The plans had the edging for more durability. I think that the laminate would work, but if I can get a small amount for not too much, I'd prefer to go that route.


the textured surface offering less friction makes sense, and that's what I was going to go with. Plus, abrasions will show up less.

[gjat]

Just a few more details. It comes in two thicknesses. The first (recommended for vertical grade application) is 1/32" thick or sometimes called V32. For countertops 1/16" is recommended. It also is available as a solid color through, called "color core", which has no backing to show when filed. The mica that is slightly textured provides a better "slip" than the slick glossies. For suppliers other than big box stores, look in local yellow pages under different headings, such as:

Plastics: Sheets, Rods, Tubes
Cabinetmakers' Equipment & Supplies
Mica
Plastics: High Pressure Laminates

The headings in your area might differ. You might call some local cabinet shops and nicely ask where to buy. They just might have some leftovers to sell you. Tell them you know me.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

I'd love to buy a few square feet for jigs and to make inserts for my router table. Who do you know near the Tampa / Leesburg area?

[Whit]

Laminate

I thought that the laminate should be put on both sides to control moisture into the plywood. You can get oversize, trim and use the trimmings on the edges. Then use a flush trim router bit to trim the edges. That is what I did on an end table about 20 years ago. The table is now used occasionally in the garage as an assembly table.
whit

[BigguyZ]

OK, to ressurect an old thread- I've been working on my TS workcenter and I'm coming to the part where I have to worry about the worktop. I was in Lowes today, and checked out the laminate they had. I was specifically looking for Wilsonart Ebony Star- as it was previously recomended. They didn't have that product, and all of what they did have was rather smooth- wich actually caused more drag than something textured.

So- where can I get that specific laminate, or at least something similar in texture (I don't care about color). Also, I looked for a cheap backer laminate, and I couldn't find anything at Lowes either. Is there another name for that?

Thanks!

Edit: fixed typo

[BigguyZ]

OK- I was just browsing, so I didn't bother to grab an employee and look into it further. I'll do a bit more research after work tomorrow.

Thanks!

[mschrank]

If you are dead set on using the "Ebony star" product, you'll likely have to special order it and pay a premium.

I use regular old smooth laminate with an occasional rubbing of Johnson's wax, and it's plenty slick enough.

If you're still interested in saving money, I'd recommend searching out a used building supply business...should be several in a city the size of Minneapolis. This link might get you in touch with one.

We have a business like this in our town, and I've bought several chunks of laminate from them for less than half the price charged by the Big Boxes.