- 1). Set two saw horses on the ground to support two 2-by-4, 8-foot boards that will support the melamine as you cut through it. Lay the melamine across the boards so it is evenly supported. Set up the saw horses so that the wind will carry the dust away from you as you cut. Wear gloves when working with melamine--it can have sharp edges.
- 2). Mark the melamine at the position you want to cut it. Use a T-square to place a straight line across the melamine for you to cut along. Measure the distance from the circular saw blade to the saw's fence. This is the distance you need to clamp a straight board to the melamine from your pencil line. The saw will rest against the straight board and cut a perfectly straight cut on the melamine.
- 3). Apply a piece of painter's tape along the pencil line on the melamine. This will help keep the melamine from splintering as you cut it, and it will help to reduce dust. Put on a dust mask and safety glasses before you cut the melamine. Set the circular saw to cut 1/8 inch deeper than the thickness of the melamine. By cutting shallow, it cuts down on the amount of dust the saw produces. Keep the circular saw running against the fence as you cut the material. If there is not a breeze to blow the dust away from you, set up a fan to blow the dust away from you as you cut the material.
- 4). Sweep up the floor after you have finished the cut. The dust is extremely slippery and harmful to breathe.