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Hand Tools and Cutting Tools for Laminates

Laminates are thin pieces of wood that are glued on top of composite woods or cheaper woods. The purpose is to give the visible appearance of top-end wood but still remain in a reasonable price range. Another term used for laminates is veneer. The process of lamination is the attaching of the veneer to the wood.
  1. Roller

    • This device is used to roll across the top of a laminate to assure that the glue sticks firmly and the bubbles are removed. It has a wooden handle and a 1-inch diameter rubber roller about 4 inches wide.

    Hand Clamps

    • Hand clamps come in a variety of sizes depending on the job. They are clamped onto the laminate after it has been attached. They are operated either by twisting a handle or squeezing a grip. The grip has a gear in it and will only tighten down until it meets complete resistance. They are made of wood, plastic, metal or a combination of these. Make sure you choose one that has a cushion so that it will not scratch the laminate.

    Scoring Cutter

    • This resembles a razor knife with the blade at an angle. It will have a wood or plastic handle. The purpose of the tool is to be drug across the laminate to score it. From there it can just be popped off by hand. This is a good tool for plastic laminates since they do not splinter like wood laminates.

    Laminate Shears

    • Laminate shears are designed to cut plastic or wood. They resemble scissors in action, but the design forces the power of the squeeze downward. This gives the cutter more control over the action. Because the hands are back and the bottom surface of the shears are flat, a cleaner cut can be provided.