kitchen worktops

[BDA019]

hi 1st post new member

i want to make the gap for my gas cooker a little larger about 1.5cm
can i cut it with the work top still in place or do i have to take off and reverse it
which saw do i use ie circular or jig

 

[Scrit]

If the worktop is jointed in any way it will be almost impossible to take-out a section and turn it over without damaging the joint edges (the laminate will probably chip), always assuming the fitter hasn't bonded/glued the joint permanently. You'll also have to get the worktop out and the rear edge will be sealed with silicone, not to mention probably sitting beneath a row of tiles. I do the occassional in-situ worktop replacement and I can tell you that once a worktop goes in you generally need to destroy it to get it out.

That leaves cutting in situ. Is there actually a big enough gap between the cabinets to cut an extra 1.5cm width out, bearing in mind that ideally you should cap the exposed worktop ends next to a gas cooker with something like an aluminium cap strip? I find it strange that a fitter has put in a cooker with an overhang like that. However, if you insist on doing this you'll need a jigsaw which can have it's orbit action switched off and some downcut blades (Bosch T101BR) to make the majority of the cut and a Fein Multimaster with something like a dished circular blade to finish off the cut. This will still leave you with a roughish edge and some chipping out, which is another good reason to cap over the exposed ends with ally finishing strips - just remember to seal the exposed edges with silicone sealant before capping off.

Good luck! You may need it

Scrit

 

[BDA019]

hi
thanks for your valued comments
I had a go at the job this morning all i had to do was remove the old cooker remove the alloy strip meausure the amount needed to be removed and very gently cut with a jig saw clean the underside of the alloy strip and replace with sillicone and screws
as i started to make the cut my heart was pounding if i make a bad job of this our lass will kill me so i am glad she was not around
all in all i made a very good job ,either god or someone up there was looking over my shoulder, i am no joiner so there was a lot of luck
now we can go get a better cooker
the fitter left 55cm instead of 60cm