Laminate worktops - jointing

[garyslater]

An update now the worktops are in. Three days of work and I think perhaps an entry in DIY disasters maybe more appropriate!!! The actual joints themselves are quite good, however I encountered three problems when fitting the U shaped worktops.
Firstly, the right hand side - female joint went well. However when cutting to size with a jigsaw this didn't behave and then I had to redo it with a router resulting in the worktop being 10mm too short!
Secondly the side with the two male joints. Right hand side perfect. However I scribed the two sides together and cut them without re-measuring after I had cut the first joint. Result - approx 20mm short! This was fixed by attaching a baton against the left hand side worktop and then glueing the edging strips against the baton and the finish is satisfactory.
Thirdly, when cutting the left hand male joint I did not support the waste sufficiently (and probably left too much waste) and guess what - it fell raway and chipped out the laminate. I managed to glue this back on again to give a satisfactory result.
It is a great shame about these three errors as the actual joints look good.
Thanks for your invaluable advice

 

[kevin_robson]

Glad to hear it went well in the end. Sounds like all three errors could have been a disaster so glad you manged to fix them up and are happy with the result in the end.

The question is would you do it again - I'm not so sure myself! Certainly wouldn't want to do it on a more expensive worktop than I did do.

However, it was quite satisfying to get it done and am glad I did it myself in the end.

 

[Paul_Thomas]

I have read this post with interest as I am just about to fit a new worktop in our kitchen.

When I took into consideration that my existing very underpowered router (Only used for small jobs) would need replacing and that I would have to purchase new bits for it, I instead decided to purchase my laminate worktop from a local specialist who is going to cut the dog-leg joint and finish off the ends for me in the workshop. As we are only needing a L shape section this has worked out far cheaper than buying the tools for a job I will only ever do every 10-15 years.

All I will have to do is scribe the one piece to the wall and trim it with a jigsaw. Then apply the glue and colorfill, assemble the joint and fix it to the cabinets.

I would certainly see if you have a local specialist who can do this for you. (I do however appreciate the satisfaction gained by doing a job oneself)

 

[Scrit]

I instead decided to purchase my laminate worktop from a local specialist who is going to cut the dog-leg joint and finish off the ends for me in the workshop.

I presume you are one of those lucky souls who has a a kitchen with straight walls and right angle corners. What bliss!

Scrit

 

[Paul_Thomas]

I instead decided to purchase my laminate worktop from a local specialist who is going to cut the dog-leg joint and finish off the ends for me in the workshop.

I presume you are one of those lucky souls who has a a kitchen with straight walls and right angle corners. What bliss!

Scrit

Absolutely not, in fact the wall runs out by 30mm at one end! However because I am only installing an L shape and the one side is a peninsular I only have to scribe the one wall, which I will do myself and trim with a jigsaw.

 

[garyslater]

Kevin asked me whether I would do it again - probably yes as I now have the tools and have learnt from my mistakes. Would I be allowed to do it again - NO!!! I agree with Paul - the tools did cost quite alot and after purchasing everything that I needed I discovered that I could have paid £75 per joint which would have gained a better result and cost less. However it is nice to be able to say that I did it myself.