Worktop tools

[davecooper]

I am looking at what tools I will need for joining my kitchen worktops. I am going to hire the jig for a weekend but the hire shop also do a hire package which includes the router. This is a 1/4" router but all the instructions for joining worktops I have read say you should use a 1/2" router. Is this essential or can you get away with the smaller shank cutters?
Also, will the trigger action type quick clamps hold the jig firmly enough for routing or should I use proper 'G' clamps ideally?

 

[mr_mike]

Hi Dave,

Ideally a 1/2" router and straight/2 fluted blade I would have said. Strange thay they should hire a 1/4" out as part of the package ? I wouldn't have thought it'd be 'meaty' enough for the job to be honest. Trigger action quick clamps would be O.K. I reckon.

In addition I'd probably pack the following :

Jigsaw (in case you have to scribe the back of the worktop to wall, and for your sink / hob cutouts)
Circular saw (more accurate for cutting straight sections)
Combination Square (for checking your worktop overhang, etc.)
2 Saw Horses
res)
Masking Tape 50mm wide
Silicone Sealant of a best match colour
10mm spanner (for worktop bolts)
Worktop bolts
File (for filing laminate edging flush)
Varnish or PVA Adhesive (for sink/hob cut-outs)
Pencil (for writing fings wiv !)
Compass (for scribing if necessary)
Tin of contact adhesive (for gluing laminate edging if ness.)

I'm sure others will suggest things I might've missed....

 

[mr_mike]

......and a biscuit jointer and biscuits.....is useful to keep the joining worktops laterally (and literally !) flush (from a horizontal perspective). Biscuits prevent them from twisting.

.....You can join your tops without, but will have to be very careful & thorough in keeping them from twisting when bolting them up.

.....Should you decide to use biscuits, you may get a biscuit slot cutter as part of your package, in which case you won't need the biccy jointer !!!

.....I'll get me coat now.....first day off I've had in a while.....shouldn't be fiddlin' around on 'ere confusing people !!!

 

[davecooper]

Thanks for the tips guys. I am going to wait until my kitchen arrives in a couple of weeks before I compile a proper list as I believe things such as worktop bolts, sealant, edging strip etc are supplied. I am also going to borrow a 1/2" router. From which side of the worktop should I make the sink cut out? Also, how many buscuits for the worktop end?

 

[Scrit]

Circular saw (more accurate for cutting straight sections)

Make sure you get a fine tooth blade, preferably an ATB (alternate top bevel) with a few more teeth than the standard supplied rip blade

Varnish or PVA Adhesive (for sink/hob cut-outs)

PVA needs to be exterior (cross-linking) grade - the interior stuff like Evostick green will redissolve in contact with water. I tend to use a thin spraed of silicone instead which saves me carrying PVA

I agree with the comments about 1/2in routers - in any case it's difficult to get the 50mm long x 1/2in diameter cutters you need to do a worktop in 1/4 in shank. Make sure the cutters you use are new and only let each cutter do 4 faces (2 joints) and no more - that way you'll avoid chipping out the edges

Add to that lot:

Mastic/sealant gun (for the silicone)
Disposable gloves (for handling silicone and anything to do with drains, especially in warm weather)
Cordless drill/driver with Pozidrive bits (for fixing the tops to the stretchers at the top of the carcasses) and add a decent size (say 1/2in or 5/8in) to drill starter holes for the cut-outs)
Builder's level and torpedo level (to check that your carcasses and tops are all level - not nive to have a worktip where spills run downhill into the corner or to the back iof the top behind the sink)
And thin paper/card/plastic/laminate for levelling shims.........

From which side of the worktop should I make the sink cut out? Also, how many biscuits for the worktop end?

If you are using a downcut blade on yopur jigger, make the cut from the top with the orbit switched off. A couple of biscuits should hold the worktop ends, after all the biscuits are really only there to help you locate the tops.

Scrit