These worktops are a low-cost solid surface worktop, albeit with a very thin top surface. In many ways they are handled in a similar manner to ordinary laminate worktops, although the edge trimming/scribing, etc need to be done with a router rather than a jig saw. Joints are cut using a laminate worktop jig, although you do need to invest in a slot milling bit to get the loose tongues in, so the extra processes do make the job slower. It is true that they require a bit more care in installation (e.g. you DO need to incorporate expansion gaps), but the only major difficulty is that the joints need to be sanded through the grits in order from P120 to P240, P320 and finally Scotch-Brite red on a random orbit sander. This
must be done on a random orbit sander with good extraction (read Festool, Metabo, not some cheap Black & Decker tat, what you are after is good dust extraction and an effective brake on the oscillation action), the machine and worktop need to be cleaned thoroughly between grits to avoid cross-contamination (standard solid surface procedure, that) - and you do need a mask and dust extraction as the sanding produces large volumes of chokingly fine dust, just like every other solid surface material.
So other than a decent 1750 watt 1/2in router and a jig (which you'd need for a laminate top in any case) with some new 1/2in bits the only extras are a decent random orbit sander, a vacuum cleaner (which you should have), a dust mask (ditto), a decent quality slotting cutter (it doesn't need to be the Titman combination specified as
Wealden will sell you a T5430 3mm x 40mm diameter slotter and a T3030-1/2 long 1/2in arbor to achieve the same 13mm x 3mm slot, but for less dosh - just over £17). a 20mm straight bit (for the cut outs), a 3mm round-over bit (for the edge profiling of cut outs) and finally some edge cramps for the ends - probably about an extra £60 if you can beg, borrow or even hire an ROS. If you can make an MDF cabinet or cut a worktop joint well, then you can joint this stuff - if you have limited equipment, ability or experience then get a tradesman in to do it, but remember that the job will cost more as it is a much more time-consuming operation and requires equipment not normally in the kit of a kitchen fitter
For anyone interested there is an on-line guide
here
Scrit