Abstract: A headstock of a panel cutting machine for cutting panels having a laminate, and particularly wood panels having a plastic laminate comprising, a conveyor for feeding a panel in a feed direction on a feed path, a rotatably mounted panel cutting device disposed in the feed path for cutting the panel and a rotatably mounted laminate cutting device disposed in the feed path in front of the panel cutting device in the feed direction and in alignment with the panel cutting device for cutting the laminate of the panel. A panel cutting drive is connected to the panel cutting device for rotating the panel cutting device and a laminate cutting drive is connected to the laminate cutting device for rotating the laminate cutting device in a direction opposite from the rotation of the panel cutting device and tangentially in the feed direction. A pressure device is connected to the laminate cutting device for biasing it downwardly at a selected pressure onto the panel.