What device do I use for shaving excess laminate, which is hanging over my plywood?

Question

I am constructing a kitchen bar eating area.

Answer 1

Router with laminate trimming bit. Or a good ol' metal file if it's only a little. Be careul of the sharp edges. Laminate breaks pretty easily, to if you have good adhesion you could try to snap it off pretty close to the edge and then just file it.  

Answer 2

A block plane would probably be the best hand tool.

Answer 3

They make a laminate trimmer.  However, if it's only hanging off by a very small amount, you could also use a belt sander.  Take your time and do it carefully.  

Answer 4

Router.  There are special bits to do it.  If you don't have a router you could sand it but a power sander might chip it.

Answer 5

The best method depends upon the conditions that you have.  Nothing is quicker for laminate than a router (or little router called a laminate trimmer.)  The bit for it comes in two flavors.  One is straight and one is beveled.  If you use the straight one (makes a square edge) and don't dull the edge with a file it is possible for the laminate edge to be sharp enough to cut clothes when you lean over it.  The Bevel trimmer bit does not seem to have this problem.  

Some problems you might encounter with the trimmer.  Because the bit is in the center of a circular base you cannot trim into a corner.  If your top is against a wall, the last several inches you will do by hand.  You can score the laminate with a utility knife and then snap it.  From that point I like to use a 4 in 1 file.  I use the flat rasp to quickly bring the edge close and the file to finish it off.  I would not try to trim by hand anything much bigger than a 1/8 to 3/16 overlapping edge.  The chance of a split becomes greater with more overhang.  

Another problem with the trimmer.  The bits use a roller guide that is intended to roll along the opposite edge and trim the edge you are working on.  You will want to avoid the roller following anything but a smooth straight edge.  The top will go over the side (return) edges.  (There are two ways to do this)  If the sides are not perfectly perpendicular to the top the trimmer blade will either over cut or under cut the top.  An under cut you can finish by hand.  

Generally you don't use plywood as a base for laminate.  It is not stable enough and the possibility of warping with humidity is too great.  Use particle board instead.