This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares his secrets for fabricating a stylish new plastic-laminate kitchen countertop. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Shopping List for How to Build a Laminate Counter:
5/8-inch A-C fir plywood [], used to make substrate for counter and backsplash
plastic laminate [], used to cover plywood substrate
contact cement [], used to adhere top laminate
paint roller [], short-nap paint-roller sleeve, used to apply contact cement
aerosol contact cement [], used to adhere edge laminate
silicone adhesive [], for securing sink to counter, and counter to cabinets
assorted drywall screws [], for assembling the counter and attaching the backsplash
1/2-inch-diameter wood dowels [], used to prevent laminate from sticking to counter
Tools for How to Build a Laminate Counter:
portable circular saw [] and straightedge guide [], used to cut plywood parts to size
drill/driver [], for drilling holes and driving screws
belt sander [] and 100-grit belt [], for smoothing the laminate flush with the plywood top
block plane [], used to trim the plywood build-up strips flush with the plywood top
trim router [] fitted with flush-cutting bit [, for trimming laminate
single-cut mill bastard file [], used to trim the laminate flush
J-roller [], used to press the laminate down into the contact cement
jigsaw [], for making sink cutout in countertop
caulking gun [], used to apply silicone adhesive
air compressor [], air hose [], pneumatic brad nailer [] and 1-inch brads [], used to attach plywood build-up strips to underside of counter
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How to Build a Laminate Counter | This Old House
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