WOODWORKING QUIZ for 28 Oct 04

[Ralph Jones]

Good Evening Friends,
When constructing a counter top with a wood edge routed on a 45º angle with plastic laminate on the front as well as on the surface of the counter.

What steps do you use in the construction of this style of counter top?

Respectfully,

[Ralph Jones]

Good Evening Friends,
I am surprised that no one answered this quiz, I assume that you don't just throw a piece of plywood on the cabinets and call it a counter top. I have learned that you blokes do things quite differently down there than we do up here but, from the buildings and interiors I have seen on the boob tube, your architects do some nice designing and the counter tops are just an example.

I find myself when I am watching a program, looking at the design of the buildings, trim, and many other methods used in the construction of buildings and interiors.

I have seen these styles of counter tops that I mentioned in the first post and was wondering how you do it down there?

Respectfully,

[echnidna]

Hey Ralph,
Down here a boob tube is a female undergarment.

[journeyman Mick]

Ralph,
it's probably been more than ten years since I laminated a countertop myself as I can make more money, more quickly by using one of the companies that cut board to size and make laminated tops - complete with post formed edges which I wouldn't dream of buying the equipment for. I've never actually seen a top with a timber edge taken back at 45deg and laminated on the front edge as well. Usually timber edges are exposed on the front edge and have an ogee profile, round over or bullnose. The router bit is usually set to cut the laminate square and then transitions into the curve (a bit hard to describe). I guess if I had to do what you're describing (and hadn't managed to talk the client out of it ;) ) I would use a 45deg bit with a reduced diameter bearing so that there was a step cut at the bottom and drop it down far enough that it cut a small step at the top. This way you would avoid having an angled cut on the laminate which would be sharp, ugly and more likely to loosen over time.

Mick (who hates laminating almost as much as concreting :p )