I am trying to take off 10 inches from a kitchen table

First run a piece of 1-1/2” or 2” masking tape the full length of your rip centered on the cut line. Formica up on the table saw since the teeth are traveling downward.

I may be wrong on this part, but I would use a sharp “cross-cut” or a “combination” style blade and move fairly slow. On my 10” saw I would reach for the 40-tooth or better.

-- Dragonsrite, Minnesota

I agree with dragonsrite

-- Lynn "If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right". Henry Ford

Ditto.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

I would cut formica side up about 1/8 inch too wide. Then lower the blade to NOT cut the formica, I would then flush trim the formica with a flush cut router bit and masking tape. I dont think you can cut the formica cleanly enough on a table saw. A router is the best bet for clean cut in laminate.

-- "_If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves_." Edison

I think a good melamine blade would be the best way (i have an 80 tooth HiATB). Once it’s cut, you will need to sand the edge because that stuff is sharp (so a little chip out won’t matter). If you don’t have a good blade, then cut a little proud and finish up with flush trim on the router like Dave just said.

Oh, top up like everyone else said…

Or…you could just score the formica (top down) and then flip and finish the cut.

A few ways to do this, none is wrong or the only way.

-- Childress Woodworks

I agree with Dave. The router bit is going to give you the best results.
If you don’t have a router, you could use a file for the trimming.

-- Mel

Thanks so much guys for your fast answers. What you all said is very believable, now that you said it, I remember something about the blades rip in a downward slice and the damage to the formica is minimal. It doesn’t have to be perfect a little chipping won’t hurt I will use the router if I need to or fudge it some way with some kind of edging.
It has to come out smooth but not altogether beautiful.
WTG guys, thanks!
Rosemarie

-- If you always do what you always did, then you will always get what you always got!

Right out of cabinet making school I worked in a cabinet shop. My job was making formica counter tops. You can use fine tooth blade on table saw and have the formica on TOP. Use a file to take sharp edge OFF after cutting.

-- "My mission in life - make everyone smile !"

Good idea, when I had my cabinets donme they left me some formica and I used that to line some of my drayers and some shelves in another room, I did use the router to clean th edges,
Thanks for that. I will put all your ideas to use where I can.

-- If you always do what you always did, then you will always get what you always got!