[hllb]

We need to work on the cover panels for our kitchen (Adel MB) and hubby is worried about how to do it well. All the upper panels are 42" tall, while the cabinets are only 39" tall. So, we have to cut down every single one of them! And, hubby is concerned that the unfinished edge will look bad.

I've heard if you tape where you're cutting, it will prevent the chipping. Does that work? Can you see the cut edge on top?

[dalbrough]

Quick question -

Why do you want to trim all the cover panels? Are you using under cab lighting? The length of the cover panel and the deco strip will cover them up and make it a bit neater? Just my $.02

Here is a thread about it complete with a photo of a kitchen i did with the longer cover panel and deco strip covering the lighting.

http://www.ikeafans.com/forums/kitch...-cabinets.html

Deb

[hllb]

We are using the deco strips for undercabinet lighting, but I didn't think they were wide enough. I thought they were only 2" strips, and there's 3" difference between teh cabinet and the cover panel? Maybe I should measure

[dalbrough]

Here is a kitchen I did using the standard deco strip and cover panel

[hllb]

Is there something on the top of teh cabinets, or is that a shadow?

[dalbrough]

The bulk head had a small trim piece on it that we left when we tore the old kitchen out - we painted it the wall colour.

The dark you are seeing is just a shadow as that small trim piece is in set about 2 inches.

[Chuck]

The extra length of the cover panel is there to act as in Deb's kitchen, to hang down an extra 2 1/4" and cover the ends of the deco strips. You'd need to cut the panels only if you're not using the deco strips.

[boykster]

We have lowish ceilings in our kitchen (7'6" I believe) and we wanted to maximize counter to cabinet space so we decided to NOT use the deco strips and I cut down the side panels. To make a clean cut the most important thing is to buy a finish carpentry blade for your table saw or circular saw. these tend to have more teeth and make a nice clean cut.

I used a circular saw with a 'saw-board' as a guide (essentially a long straight board that I used as a guide to keep the circular saw cutting in a straight line), but for a later project I used a small tablesaw that I had purchased. Either one will work fine, but again, I'd recommend getting a finish blade for the saw you use.

good luck!

Rich

[ikitchensetc]

Ditto what everyone said. Use a good blade like a Diablo double-side laminate blade. And remember which side will chip out! With a circular saw, place the good side down. With a table saw, good side up!