Best Blade For Cutting Laminate

platinumLLC

What is the best 12" blade for cutting laminate? Seems like the blades I have tried wear out after doing one laminate job. Is there a blade that lasts longer when cutting laminate or one made specifically for laminate? I have looked into the laminate trimmers that are like a paper cutter but the are pretty expensive and I already have a miter saw so plan on just using that for now if I can find a blade that lasts unless there is a decent laminate trimmer for a reasonable price? Thanks

Floordude

I wouldn't waste a 12" blade on a laminate floor. It is bad enough wasting a 10" blade.

I go with Harbor Freight 10" blades @$20 a piece.

silvertree

I use the 40 tooth cheapos at Menards 20 bucks

Mike Costello

I have a Magnum Laminate Shear, it seems like big bucks to buy but it is totally worth it if you do alot of lam jobs

Its dustless and I am on year three of the blade with tens of thousands of sq ft run through it

PrecisionFloors

Same here.

Platinum, if you are using a mitre saw to make cuts, thats where the problem lies. Use a table saw. You will see blade life increase 1000%...no kidding. A mitre saw is for trim and cutting dimensional lumber, not forcing a blade through melamine and aluminum oxide

And I agree with Floordude as well....I only use cheap Irwin 7 1/4" blades on my table saw for laminate. Anything else is a waste of money.

platinumLLC

Thanks guys. I don't do a ton of laminate but probably average 1 job a month. I just looked at the magnum shears, is the L9 a decent one? I found it for around 425 so that's not a horrible price but still a decent investment. Is this shear good enough for your normal laminate install? What would be the advantage of the 13" or 20" magnum shear? I have never installed boards wider than about 7-8". Maybe my best option is to get the cheap blades and treat them like disposables.

PrecisionFloors

The larger ones allow for cutting larger materials and the 13" will cut 7-8" wide planks on a 45 whereas the smaller one wont, its just good for straight cuts I believe. If you do VCT, LVT, cove base, carpet tile, rubber transitions, engineered wood, even solid hardwood it WILL come off of the truck once you use once

I would get the largest one you can fit in the truck and afford. I bought the 13 a few years ago and kinda wish I had gone to the 20, but I had very limited space at the time. The only downside to the larger ones is the weight, but I would probably build some kind of stand on wheels. I'm gettin too damned old to work hard...gotta work smart now

Mike Costello

Thats my only complaint. The damn thing is heavy!

I have the 20 inch. its great for engineered wood too and actually makes a pretty clean cut

kaptin

i was wondering what is the install price for laminate wood in a commercial budiness in houston tx

Mike Costello

Twobitty fourbitty billiondy

PrecisionFloors

.39/sf


Only if your good though

platinumLLC

kapton-what is itchen and bathroom remodeling?

Price to install laminate floors in Texas-.39 a square foot

Price to pay for a good spell check- Priceless

DmitriyZ

I use a jig saw for end cuts. Blades are cheap. table saw for rips. Work well and less dust if you work inside the house.