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joining kitchen worktops (Read 6766 times)
eddierzz
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joining kitchen worktops
Sep 29th, 2006, 6:02pm
 
Bought a worktop jig to join my worktops with a mason mitre joint, if I do the first pass with a router can I use a fine tooth saw and follow the line of the router or is it better to make a few passes with the router till the cut is complete.
Thank you for any help
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TIMBA-WOLF
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KENT,(under a tree!!!!), United Kingdom
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Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #1 - Sep 29th, 2006, 7:20pm
 
Hi and welcome to the forum,

it is with out doubt better and more accurate to use the router and the jig to complete both cuts!
just take care , use a nice sharp cutter (1/2" shank of course!) read the jig instructions, and then take your time!, if you have some spare worktop , small off cut etc test out the jig and your skill on this prior to doing the actual joint... so you can get a feel of the way it all works/goes/progresses!!!

no doubt the other pro's here will add their  GOOD nad SOUND advise!
regards Wolf!
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AS HONEST AND LOYAL AS THE TIMBER-WOLF. --VAR@*SH, DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!! PAL!!&&I DON'T SUFFER FROM INSANITY- I DAMNED WELL ENJOY IT!!!!!
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mr_spanton
Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #2 - Sep 30th, 2006, 11:05am
 
Hi Eddie

The main point of using a router template is that it is so designed to precision cut both sides of the joint, male and female.
Wolf is correct about taking your time, practise first if you havent done one before; the first time I did a worktop I used sections of the old worktop I ripped out to practise on before I tried machining the new worktop. Also a sharp (preferably new) cutter is ESSENTIAL even if it costs a bit. The trend replaceable cutter type are good. The hire shop (if your hiring) should supply a cutter for free or at least reduced price. Watch out they dont try to palm you off with an old blunt burnt out cutter, it will only cause scorch mrks and a rough surface. Also 1/2 inch capacity is essential try to hire a makita or elu, powerful as you can get. Also do the cuts in several passes, about 10 mm depth at a time instead of trying to do it all in one pass, less strain on the motor and a smoother more precise finish.
Hope this is of help
cheers Jonathan Smiley
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Scrit
Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #3 - Sep 30th, 2006, 4:33pm
 
Quote:
Watch out they dont try to palm you off with an old blunt burnt out cutter, it will only cause scorch mrks and a rough surface.

Not to mention chipping the laminate

Scrit
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splinter
Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #4 - Sep 30th, 2006, 7:38pm
 
I told not to mention ripping outthe lamiate
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chippysmith
Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #5 - Sep 30th, 2006, 8:05pm
 
Quote:
Bought a worktop jig to join my worktops with a mason mitre joint, if I do the first pass with a router can I use a fine tooth saw and follow the line of the router or is it better to make a few passes with the router till the cut is complete.
Thank you for any help


It is a given, I know of a few that will make the first pass with router then jiggy the cut through the centre, this reduces expensive cutter wear.  It makes sense but can be risky if your jigsaw is iffy,  they do tend to go off line/create angled cut if the blade is slightly worn.
personally I use the replaceable tip cutter and go for it...  its all about focus...  good luck
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big_all
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Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #6 - Sep 30th, 2006, 9:43pm
 
Quote:
Quote:
Bought a worktop jig to join my worktops with a mason mitre joint, if I do the first pass with a router can I use a fine tooth saw and follow the line of the router or is it better to make a few passes with the router till the cut is complete.
Thank you for any help


It is a given, I know of a few that will make the first pass with router then jiggy the cut through the centre, this reduces expensive cutter wear.  It makes sense but can be risky if your jigsaw is iffy,  they do tend to go off line/create angled cut if the blade is slightly worn.
personally I use the replaceable tip cutter and go for it...  its all about focus...  good luck


just to add to chippys comments

most jigsaws that "wander" will only do so in one direction as in to the left or right
so if youve sussed out which way it may wanders providing its only an occasional wander you can cut along the line making sure that if the blade "wanders" its to the waste [or less important side]
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big all ---------------  we are all still learning
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Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #7 - Sep 30th, 2006, 10:17pm
 
keeping on the same subject BUT not so to speak..
i did in the early 90's work along side  a deaf mute and a mute team of kitchen fitters!! all communication was done by a small chalk board they carried,
they may have been unable to talk etc with the outside world, but they cut each and every worktop with an extremely old fine toothed AMERICAN panel saw and couple of smaller hand made fine toothed saws, and i have still to see a better joint!  i personnally can only aspire to their skill with a hand saw!!!!  and the thing i remember the most is that while one carried out the fancy cuts ,the one whom did the panel saw cut (they took it in turns!!!) the one holding the panel saw would actually make it "SING" by playing it!!!!

it really WAS a strange pairing of people but i was always facinated by them!!!!!
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AS HONEST AND LOYAL AS THE TIMBER-WOLF. --VAR@*SH, DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!! PAL!!&&I DON'T SUFFER FROM INSANITY- I DAMNED WELL ENJOY IT!!!!!
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mailee
Re: joining kitchen worktops
Reply #8 - Oct 1st, 2006, 6:25am
 
Another thing to remember is to make all your cuts with the router tight against the outside of the joint and make the last pass tight to the inside of the joint  for a full clean cut.
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