How to Cut the worktop corners

ahll

yes I was wondering what was the best way to avoid chipping off the melamine surface ?


I had also thought about buying some off cut work service to practice on.

I have a router (never used it) but I dont have the jig but they seem expensive to buy.

HugoSP

ahll wrote:

yes I was wondering what was the best way to avoid chipping off the melamine surface ?


I had also thought about buying some off cut work service to practice on.

I have a router (never used it) but I dont have the jig but they seem expensive to buy.

Firstly, don't BUY the worksurface, try and find some at your local tip, or ask at your local DIY/kitchen store. Explain what you want it for and they may be only too glad to clear out damaged stock. The chances are they may have a few damaged pieces for you to have a go at.

You'll need a decent plunge router. Don't even attempt it with a piddly little B and D job. Look for a 1/2" plunge router rated at around 2000w. You may pay up to £80 or so for a low budget version.

culpepper

If you stick masking tape over the line you are going to cut with a saw ,it should'nt crumble away when you cut it. Just stick the tape down then draw the line on it.

BobProperty

Unless you are going to do this on a regular basis or are heavily into woodwork then do as Nelly suggests and get someone in. The advice given on here so far I agree with, you need a 1600w min 1/2" router, and a decent one isn't cheap, a jig and good quality router bits. I don't think you are looking at much less than £250. One of the regulars on here http://www.trustedtradesmen.com/forum/default.asp says he uses a new router bit for each joint he makes on a worktop. That's the only way he is happy with the result and doesn't damage the laminate.

McAzrael

***Declaration of interest - I work in a joinery workshop***
Joining worktops with hidden joints is not as easy as it looks. Get a pro to do it. We charge £60 a joint if you want a guide to price. Look up a joinery workshop and make sure that they include biscuit jointing, the biscuits and bolts.

lynsiloo

I agree with getting someone else to do it for you. I recently fitted my own kitchen including worktops. It all looks very nice now but it came at a price. The first jig I bought I managed to destroy by lifting the router before it had stopped spinning (it has a kind of gyroscopic effect when still spinning). Then, trying to be a perfectionist and get the cut perfect by cutting and recutting I ended up with a worktop that was slightly too short to go anywhere (new worktop required). Not to mention all the router blades I went through as they tend to burn out very quickly and do not give a good cut once this has happened.
If I was to do it again I would happily fit all the units etc myself but for speed and less hassle I would definitely get someone to cut the worktops.
Good luck with what ever you decide.

ahll

Ok seem like it mite be a better idea to get someone in to do the cutting if corners are required