Cutting Laminate Counter for Kitchen Sink


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Old 09-30-14, 05:36 PM
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Cutting Laminate Counter for Kitchen Sink

I am installing new counters soon. I bought a used SS sink from the local Habitat for Humanity RE-Store (which of course means there's no "template") -- $18 and a little elbow grease to clean it up and you'd never know it isn't new. I also bought a laminate counter down at Menards.

What's the best way to draw out the cut line for my sink?

I've done lots of searches but everything I've found talks about "taping down the template that came with the sink".

Also -- how should I deal with the BACK of the hole? I don't think a jigsaw will fit between the cut line and the backsplash.

TIA!
 
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Old 09-30-14, 06:06 PM
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Flip the sink over making sure the holes are at the back, center it from back to front, now mark it by looking where needs to fit in the hole.
Remove the sink and connect the lines.
The ones from front to back need to be marked with a framing square.
Done right there's room for the jig saw.
Simple to make sure, just remove the blade and check it.
 
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Old 09-30-14, 06:17 PM
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That was my first thought too (RE tracing the sink outline). But that gives me just that -- the OUTLINE. The cut line needs to be UNDER the sink.

I didn't think the back of the counter was that wide ii guess I'll know more when I have the counter in place.
 
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Old 09-30-14, 06:27 PM
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Do as Joe says, but make sure the back line is as far away from the backsplash as your jigsaw sole plate is wide to the blade. Measure across the underside of the sink and determine your rough opening. Mark that opening using your back line as a starting point. Side tomside,drop back in equally from your tracing to the proper RO.
 
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Old 09-30-14, 06:31 PM
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Measure center line of sink (at cabinet and counter).
Place blue tape on counter at approximate left, right, front and back of sink.
Set sink upside down on top of counter.
Trace outline of sink onto tape, making sure it's square and parallel to front of counter.
Take a straightedge and draw additional lines inside outline of sink. Check the sink for clamp area, but usually cut about 3/8" inside of outline.
At the four corners of this "inside" outline, drill small pilot holes.
Flip counter over, draw cut lines using pilot holes as a guide and you are done.

Careful not to cut corners too sharp if sink has a radius.
Careful not to cut too wide/deep as that can be cut more if needed.
 
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Old 09-30-14, 07:32 PM
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Thanks guys. RE the space at back, I had forgotten that a jigsaw cuts on the upstroke so I forgot about the fact that you'd actually cut from the underside. That will allow more room for the saw's plate.
 
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Old 10-01-14, 06:14 AM
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I never cut them from the bottom, I use a down cutting blade instead.
Any Lowes or HD should have them.
 
 

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