Join Laminate

This film shows how to accurately join two pieces of laminate or Formica together. It is important for you to know that this is the only approach I have seen that will work. Even if you attempt to merge two laminate edges from newly manufactured pieces, my experience has shown that they will not merge perfectly together to form a uniform joint. These joints will most likely have irregular spaces with variable joint distances along the bordering sides. Consequently, this will make your project look like it was crafted with substandard workmanship.

I developed this video while building a bar in my basement, which I will later feature in a multi-part series on how to finish a basement.

In addition, I purchased the laminate in this video from Home Depot. It was manufactured by the Wilsonart Company. Formica brand laminates, which are also popular, are similarly available at Home Depot, Lowe's, and other retailers.

Lastly, this joint was absolutely necessary for me to build because the width of my bar exceeds the width of the largest Wilsonart piece available from Home Depot, which is 5 by 12 feet. Knowing that I needed additional laminate for other portions of my finished basement, I also purchased a 4 by 8 sheet of Wilsonart Laminate and joined these 2 sheets as shown in this video.

Within the video, I will provide the following information:
1) Demonstrate the problems with joining two pieces of laminate
2) Show you how to overlap both laminate pieces, set your saw’s cutting depth, and clamp a cutting fence (guide) in place
3) Test the fence alignment
4) Cut the overlapped laminate pieces
5) Remove and clean up the laminate remnants
6) Glue the new laminate in place
7) Fill the small joint with Wilsonart Color Matched Caulk

[brett]

With the music I was EXCITED to see how the edges matched! This is valuable to my research on how to do laminate. I'll need two seams, wondering how to do them. Thinking on either side of a sink. I'll have a C shaped bar. 7' on the top and bottom of the C, 9' on the side between the two. Sink will be on the 9' section in the middle.

[rrodriguez]

Planning on doing this in the next week.. i will file the ends (bottow side) so the top can be closer together..

[DellAnderson]

I like your presentation style, clear, organized, and does not waste the viewers time. I was wondering how the process would differ if you put the laminate edging on before the top laminate. I prefer the aesthetics of an edge seam on the vertical surface rather than on the top surface near the edge, but I am not sure how this is done without causing some router scuffing. Perhaps I'm over thinking and it has to do with ball bearing and router bit depth? Either way, thanks for this nicely done demo.

[powerplay]

That join has got to be the cleanest invisible joint I have ever seen.

[Tadwitetrash]

Nice seam, I like that style of deco edging too.

20 year laminate guy here. Been doing it so long wilsonart came to see me so they could steal my methods lol

[mikemacneill]

Love the video. Looking to do something similar, however, the seam is currently projected to be right next to a sink. what is the proper way to waterproof this seam to alleviate future issues? Possibly a dumb question, thanks for any tips or tricks.

[supershotgungaming]

As Millworker I have to say this is a good method to make a good join

[am]

have the same problem, two pieces of laminate just won't butt up tight, now I know how to handle the problem...wonder if a trim router could be used instead to the saw ? trim router with a 1/8 inch straight bit ?... thanks for posting . really helped me out

[Allansoko]

What type of blade did you use would a diamond blade work

[dinau]

What if you can't use a saw? Looking to recover the existing countertop in my kitchen, almost all the counters back into a wall

[stephanielowe]

I noticed on the corner where you couldn’t flush up the laminate seemed to be done off camera. I’m going to be in the same position (where the router won’t let me get into the corner). How did you finish that part up? Use a different router?

[duke]

If you use a router with a straight bit and a straight bit, overlap the lam at the seam. cut both pieces at the same time. perfect fit. No seamfil.

[khunsiongbong]

Can be painted on the interface with a black pen first

[randallsemrau]

A router has about 1/10th the degree of runout, of a rotating cutting wheel or blade.

[chrisc]

that looks like the black alicante from wilsonart. It's the same one I am probably getting. That seem is very noticeable in my opinion. Must be the black color

[YankeeinSC]

This...reminds me of an early 1970's space launch broadcast. The band-aids on your for arms indicate your commitment to excellence, a pact that exceeds Joe Biden's endorsement of Carmella. Bravo phucker! I may just be doing my own laminate using your tutorial, just because it's so convincing. Do you have a several years, after many spilled beers later, follow up vid?