Project - "Debbie's Kitchen Breakfast Nook"

There is nothing difficult about adding Formica to a table. I ordered the laminate from my local Home Depot. The Formica distributor is quite a ways away, so this is very convenient.    It comes rolled up, so the very first thing I do is untie it and let some of the flex out.
	Actually, I laid the Formica flat on top of the new table and let it sit over night. In the morning, it was nice and flat. This makes handling the sheet much easier and safer.
I install the CMT Melamine and Fine Cut Off blade. It has a reduced tooth angle that is ideal for cutting laminates as well as melamine and MDF.
	I have installed the Grip-Tites which will help keep the laminate flat on the table. I am cutting a series of 2" wide strips that I will use for the edging of the table.
I have quite a selection of tools for use with laminates. They are: 1) cutting shears, 2) laminate file; 3) carbide scorer for cutting; 4) "J"-roller; 5) laminate trimmer; 6) laminate edger; and 7) manual laminate trimmer.    I used the Porter Cable trimmer (5), the file (2), the J-roller (4) and the laminate edger (6).
	You have to plan which surfaces will get edged first. In this case, I decided to edge the two end sections first. I am using an inexpensive brush to apply a coat of laminate adhesive. I am using the solvent based adhesive, so I made sure that I had adequate ventilation.
Next, I apply a coat of the adhesive to the 2" strips. I won't need them all now, but I can coat them all.    I let the pieces dry until they lose their glossiness and and tacky to the touch. Since the table's edge is plywood and MDF, I applied a 2nd coat to those surfaces.
	All the surfaces must be tacky-dry before they can be applied. This photo is to show "wet-areas" that are still glossy — and not ready to use.
I carefully align the edging keeping it from touching the actual table. This is contact cement. Once the surfaces touch, they can be impossible to pull off.    When it is aligned, I let the center contact the table top edge and apply from the center out.
	I smooth the laminate down with gentle pressure from the "J-roller."
I use my laminate router and a straight bit to trim off the excess on all four sides of the first piece.
	I follow the small trimmer with a fine file. I only use push strokes — if you use pulling strokes, you will probably chip or break the laminate. I want the edging to be perfectly flat and level with the table top. The trimmer did a great job. Here I am only fine tuning the top surface.