What is the best way to cut particle board covered in laminate?

Question

I purchased some cabinets, but they do not have the cutout to fit over baseboards. I want to cut a small curve out of the bottom back side of the side pieces of the cabinets so they can go over the baseboard, allowing the cabinet back to be flush with the wall.

Answer 1

the proper way to do this is to remove the baseboard, install the cabinet, then cut the baseboard to fit to the edge. a lot less work than scribing every cupboard. but if you insist on cutting the cabinets, then use a jigsaw with a laminate blade, it will have the teeth pushing rather than pulling the material so you wont have any chips.

Answer 2

The above are correct, (jig saw). However, use a down cutting  blade to avoid chip-out.  That is a blade that have teeth pointing down (away from the saw).  If not available,  score with a knife exactly on your scribe mark.  then cut short of the line by a tiny bit, and clean the rest with a rasp or rough round file.  Any errors (gaps) can be easily filled with matching putty...no one will ever notice, but you..

Answer 3

The pros would use a belt sander to remove the excess stock.That will eliminate tear out. Watch out for the hot plastic.

Answer 4

My choice would be to use a router.  Use a pattern following bit.  Make the pattern out of 1/4" hardboard.  Take your time to get it just right, then all of the cuts you make using it will be just right. and the router won't chip the laminate.

Answer 5

Remove the baseboard install the cabinets then cut base to fit is the proper way but if you must insist on cutting the cabinets use a jigsaw.

Answer 6

A jig-saw with a laminate specific blade is the way to go, but just to make sure you don't chip the laminate, use masking tape over the laminate, and re-draw your cut-line on the tape. A router is also a good alternative, but trust me un the masking tape.

Answer 7

Use a small reciprocating saw (jigsaw) with a medium-toothed blade, designed for laminated wood.  

Or, get a medium-heavy coping saw -- Looks like a hacksaw, but has thinner blade for turning curves.