A laminate trimmer is a smaller, lighter, and less powerful version of a router used for cutting through veneer or laminate. It was developed to meet the specific need of trimming laminate and is more economical than a full-sized router. It can also be used for small routing jobs, but safety precautions must be taken.
A laminate trimmer is a handheld power tool much like a router, except it’s smaller, lighter, and less powerful, designed for a single task: cutting through veneer or laminate once it’s glued. Because it’s smaller and lighter than a conventional router, a laminate trimmer can be used safely with one hand. Laminate cutters and routers have a lot in common with power drills, but instead of drilling holes, they shape the wood, usually trimming its edges with sharp blades built into the sides.
Laminate cutters were developed to meet a specific need. Laminates and veneers are applied to a wide variety of surfaces. Cut larger than the substrate they are being glued to, the overlap is trimmed after the gluing process so that the veneer is perfectly flush with the edge of the piece. A full-sized router can be used for the business, and many home woodworkers don’t have the budget to be able to afford both a router and a laminate trimmer. Trimming laminate is such a common job in places like cabinet shops, however, that developing a tool that could be dedicated to the task, freeing up routers for other jobs, became a priority. Furthermore, it made economic sense to develop a tool better suited to the job; a laminate trimmer costs about half as much as a full-power router of comparable quality.
On the other hand, many home improvement wood store hobbyists have found it more economical to use a laminate trimmer for jobs other than cutting laminate, jobs they would otherwise have to use a router for. As the efficiency of the engines has increased over time, they have become more capable of handling most small routing jobs. In fact, it’s a good rule of thumb that if the bit fits your laminate trimmer – they generally have a 1/4 inch (about 6.4 millimeter) collet – then it can get the job done.
The operation of a laminate trimmer is similar to the operation of a router. For example, when cutting laminate, a ball-cushioned flush bit is the best bit to use. Placing the trimmer baseplate on the laminate with the tip protruding from the edge, turn on the trimmer and cut the laminate towards the edge of the workpiece. Once the pad contacts the edge, simply use it as a guide, following it until the entire laminate overlap has been trimmed. The most important thing to remember is to keep the baseplate flush with the laminate.
The safety considerations shouldn’t be underestimated simply because it’s a smaller and lighter tool. The fact remains that it is a power tool, spinning a very sharp bit at very high speeds up to 30,000 rpm. Before using a laminate cutter for the first time, the operator must read, understand and follow the operator’s manual and always wear safety glasses whenever using a power tool.
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