How hard is it to cut out the sink/cooktop hole...
Discuss How hard is it to cut out the sink/cooktop hole... on IKEAFANS.com. We're Personalizing the IKEA Experience. How hard is it to cut out the sink/cooktop hole... - Sinks, Faucets, Knobs and Pulls - also coordinating kitchen elements. See also: Kitchen Appliances and Backsplash |Splashback.
We are still battling about what to do for counters. IKEA's are so cheap we are thinking we could at least have them until such time that we can afford custom-made.
We are concerned however about the amount of expertise necessary to cut out the cooktop and sink holes to drop-in the countertops.
Any ideas?
Hubby is pretty handy with tools (he is a goldsmith). I am all thumbs.
If you can use a jig saw you're all set. It will be one of the easier tasks in redoing the kitchen. Just remember to measure 2 (or 4) times and cut once. You can always shave a little more off, but you can't go back
One trick my handy hubby taught me is to use a (large) drill bit in the corner whether it be a round or a square one...on the inside of the cut. Then you can slip the jigsaw blade in, and continue the cut. It also helps to make somewhat tricky radiuses (radii?). Since you're using a drop in with laminate, it doesn't have to be perfect, just bigger than the inset and smaller than the flange -- get that right, and you're golden.
The inset would be either the innards of the cooktop or the bowls (not bowels) of the sink, and the flange would be the part that sits on top of the counter...the lip or the overlay. But you really knew that already, didn't you?
"Yo' you gots a 2-bowl number with a top of...ah, ****, I don't know -- customer gots too many re-quire-ments. Just give me a cheap sink wif the 'spensive price tag on it. I'll tell her it's the only one fits." That sounds more like it.
Of course, that's a drastic over-generalization, and not meant to disparage any of our fine professionals. It's mostly based on sitcoms and bad dialogue in trashy novels. But you gets the point.
I'm sure that the laminate is not bad to cut, however the Pronomen counters were quite a bear for my jigsaw, even with high quality blades. It seemed like the wood wanted to burn constantly, so I was only able to go a few inches each time, and then had to stop for a break.
BTW
, make sure that your sink will not interfere with the metal bracket used to mount the false drawers. I didn't even think about it until I got near the area, but luckily mine missed by 1/8"
We are the premier IKEA Kitchen Installer in Massachusetts. Our company offers complete in-house design service followed by an impeccable installation.
Custom. IKEA. Doors. The idea for Semihandmade came from a desire to offer the same craftsmanship we produce in our Los Angeles-based Handmade studio to a wider audience, at a lower price.
Our House ‘takes the pain’ out of the design and installation process by providing hassle-free service every step of the way. Serving CT and the greater NYC area.
