What Are Laminate Trimmers Used For?

Standard Trimmer Base

• The standard base on the laminate trimmer allows you to use beading, straight, small cove, V-groove and round-over bits for different types of jobs. Besides trimming laminate edges, the standard trimmer base is used to make the hinge mortise for a door. After making the layout for the door hinge for a cabinet or door, you use the standard base trimmer to remove the wood to make the depression in the wood, which allows you to sink the hinge in the wood so it is flush.

Underscribe Base

• The underscribe base trimmer makes accurate cuts in butted joints. The guide lip keeps the trimmer in place as the trimmer glides along the installed laminate. The bit makes the cut for the laminate mating to form the seamless butt joint. Generally, a joint of this type is used when you make a face frame.

Offset Base

• Offset base trimmers are used for trimming narrow edges on laminate and trimming corners in a backsplash. When you use this base, you can get within 3/4 inches of a corner or wall. The base is triangular, with the bit at the front of the base. The tip of the triangular base fits right into a corner for making smooth cuts on laminate.

Tilt-Base

• Tilt-base trimmers allow you to trim corners that standard trimmer bases cannot reach. Hand-trimming laminate is eliminated when using the tilt-base trimmer because it can be adjusted for 90- and 45-degree angles. The base allows the bit to be flush with the laminate edge for a clean cut. When you use the tilt-base, you can change the way the bit trims the laminate for a different profile on the laminate edge.