fitting kitchen worktops.

[Screwdriver]

That's a bit crazy isn't it, also the cost of a plane ticket to get such a job done.

Surprising how much some people will spend on a kitchen. But if you’re spending a small fortune on a kitchen, the last place you want to save money is on the installation.

 

[Ashley Burton]

I would get someone in who does the job on the regular. It's a one hit job, You screw it & you will be looking at it for years to come! Sometimes you have to bite your pride & get in the professionals

 

[tlovatt]

Walls are miles out of kilter.
I reckon worth paying somebody to do it.
Thanks All; thats confirmed what I was thinking

If the walls are out then cut the first piece with the correct joint (45 degree over the radius and then parallel to the front), then cut the second piece roughly to length allowing a few inches spare, put the second piece in place and (using some offcuts to prop it up to be level) lay the first (already cut) workpiece over the top - you can then draw along the cut out in the firdt piece to mark out the second one and as you have them both in the correct place the joint should be at the correct angle to suit the walls.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Surprising how much some people will spend on a kitchen.

Tell me about it....ours was imported from Germany...it was before the Uk started doing descent kitchens! They supplied their own fitter....which was lucky because they broke the top that was being used for the sink and had to order a new one.

Came all the way from Germany and took a week to get to the UK....spent 5 minutes in our house and then went all the way back to Germany! When we ordered the kitchen we swapped from a wood top to the grey....yep they sent the wrong colour!

 

[brightspark]

if the walls are out you need a large square to clock how far out the angles are before you start cutting and joining .easy to make a wooden one then either straten the wall up or scribe and cut the back of worktop to suit if its not too far out

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

He gets flown all over the world to fit kitchens. One job was in New Zealand!

I once got sent to Sidney for a job...missus dropped me at Heathrow on Monday and picked me up Friday of the same week....not as wonderful as it sounds

 

[Newlands]

Here’s a handy link for anyone wanting to use a worktop jig http://www.raygirling.com/wtjig.htm - unless you fit kitchens every day it’s not always straightforward. I’ve done a fair number of kitchens, but not enough to know off the top of my head the correct routine for cutting the joints - some cuts are made from the face, and others from the back, and the pins in the jig have to be in the right holes!
Agree with what others have said re the router - you need a ½” model with a decent sharp worktop cutter. Plus a biscuit jointer or domino cutter is very handy. Which is why so many people above have suggested getting a chippy in to do it for you!

 

[brightspark]

I once got sent to Sidney for a job...missus dropped me at Heathrow on Monday and picked me up Friday of the same week....not as wonderful as it sounds

once went on a shop refit to the isle of man . sounds like fun il go worked 12 hours a day got hissed went to bed got up went to work and home when finished at end of the week . might as well have been on the moon same when I rewired 2 houses in france

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Walls are miles out of kilter.
I reckon worth paying somebody to do it.
Thanks All; thats confirmed what I was thinking

Yup pay someone
Not hard but by the time you've laid out for decent router. 200 notes. Worktop jig. 120
Clamps I'm sure you have.

Other option is the metal but joints but they look gash.
Normally used in council properties for easy replacement.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

One trick I've used when cutting anything laminated with a saw is to first score with a nice sharp knife along the line of cut, then saw on the waste side. It reduces the chance of the laminate surface splintering.

Track saw these days. Clean cuts both sides

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

once went on a shop refit to the isle of man

I spent 5 weeks there on a job...thankfully the hotel had a Casino.

Was my own fault...I volunteered because I got the isle of man mixed up with the isle of wight....never made that mistake again...oh to be young and foolish

That plane in is a bit nuts when its blowing a gale...I really thought we were going to ditch in the drink!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

If the walls are out then cut the first piece with the correct joint (45 degree over the radius and then parallel to the front), then cut the second piece roughly to length allowing a few inches spare, put the second piece in place and (using some offcuts to prop it up to be level) lay the first (already cut) workpiece over the top - you can then draw along the cut out in the firdt piece to mark out the second one and as you have them both in the correct place the joint should be at the correct angle to suit the walls.

Eh

Cut the female Mason's mitre with a jig. Stick an offcut of worktop on the units and lay the next piece in place overlapping

Mark from the under side agaisnt the female Mason's mitre.
Measure 9mm back from the line and set up for a male cut against this line.


Only time I joint diagonally is around a bay window where a Mason's mitre is unfeasible.

 

[gaz1]

jigsaw is a no circular saw is a no

best to use a router

but to do it without a jig then mark the front corner point of the work top
then measure an 1" back front edge and back edge pencil this line in
at the front edge 45 degree mark

cut with wood saw or router router best as will be straight

other piece mark an 1" back then 45 degree it marke it and cut it off

this was done without a jig just a router for the lock pins new worktop to old worktop had been previously cut to fit

 

[Turbo]

Did this once when I rebuilt our old kitchen into our utility shed- I ended up using the aluminium strips to hide my bad joints. This is what I learned.
Even with the correct reverse tooth blade a jigsaw will not cut worktop straight vertically.
I decided to use a router to square up the edge of the worktop - didn't have a bit deep enough. Went to hardware store - they wanted £40 for a trend deep cutter for worktop!
After the ambulance dropped me back home I tried a long HSS milling cutter for steel in the router. It was destroyed after a few feet of cutting!
I found out after that only a decent quality router bit like a trend will cut laminate worktop & they are worn out after doing 4 kitchens!

My advice is get someone in to do it, it's not worth the risk of screwing it up like I did!

 

[Newlands]

Track saw these days. Clean cuts both sides

Wot he said. Use the track saw to cut everything to length leaving a suitable allowance for joints. Also use it for any cut-outs for hob and sink. Then router plus jig for the joints.
I use Wealden Tools for router cutters - https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Worktop_Cutter_960.html
Replaceable tips are worth it if you plan on doing more than one job.

Biggest problem is the cutter chipping out the laminate on the front edge - avoided by doing the cut from the correct side of the worktop according to whether it’s left-hand, right-hand, male or female.

 

[Morrisman]

Simples.

 

[pedrobedro]

Sometimes you have to bite your pride & get in the professionals

Mixing metaphors Ashley, get him to swallow the bullet while he's at it Just buy the jigs, watch a few Youtube videos then get someone to come and do it

 

[Ashley Burton]

Mixing metaphors Ashley, get him to swallow the bullet while he's at it Just buy the jigs, watch a few Youtube videos then get someone to come and do it

I wouldn't even bother buying the jigs to start with!

Got a carpet fitted in my last house as it wasn't worth my time for how little they charged to fit it

 

[jimbo84]

Whatever you cut it with stick some heavy duty gaffer tape (not the rubbish from the DIY sheds, the proper stuff) on where you're going to cut and put your line on the gaffer tape. Make the cut and if you carefully peel back the gaffer there'll be no damage to the edge and you'll have a proper neat cut.

 

[tlovatt]

Eh

Cut the female Mason's mitre with a jig. Stick an offcut of worktop on the units and lay the next piece in place overlapping

Mark from the under side agaisnt the female Mason's mitre.
Measure 9mm back from the line and set up for a male cut against this line.


Only time I joint diagonally is around a bay window where a Mason's mitre is unfeasible.

If you do not start the cut at 45 degress for the thickness of the radius on the leading edge then the 2 pieces will not fit together???? This is exactly what a masons mitre does and where there is a 45 degree portion on one end!