joining worktop

[glenn]

I intend to hire a worktop jig and router to join my new worktops (is it
called a masters join?). Anyhow, my mate said don't bother because he said
that its very difficult to do. I am quite proficient at most DIY tasks and
I'm and I am fitting the rest of the kitchen. Has anyone out there used one
of these jigs before? Is it really that difficult? a
Any useful tips?
thanks
glenn

[John]

I hired a jig and a router (need a big one) from HSS it even came with a
video, as long as you take your time and set it up ok its no great problem
"glenn" <glenn...@btinernt.com> wrote in message
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[space]

My brother in law can do almost anything - he is a builder by trade but when
he fitted our kitchen he advised getting the professionals in to this job.
it was expensive but at least it was the way I wanted it.

"glenn" <glenn...@btinernt.com> wrote in message
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[si]

"John" <jo...@thehendersons.surfonwater.com> wrote in message
news:1006bff...@corp.supernews.com...

I hired the jiig and router aswell, its a doddle, dont be put off by people
who say its hard and leave it to the proffesionals etc, there the people
that have usually ever even tried!

Only advice ide give is cut the worktop that your putting your "male" joint
on about 12 inches too long, then cut your male joint first, if you make a
mistake its easy to cut it down and try again, with the female joint you
only have one go at it!, however i only needed one go at each, if you set
the jig up as it states, take your time, let the router do the cutting and
dont force it, youll have no problems at all. and remember, measure a dozen
times at last and cut once!!

[Michael Chare]

> I hired the jiig and router aswell, its a doddle, dont be put off by people
> who say its hard and leave it to the proffesionals etc, there the people
> that have usually ever even tried!
>
> Only advice ide give is cut the worktop that your putting your "male" joint
> on about 12 inches too long, then cut your male joint first, if you make a
> mistake its easy to cut it down and try again, with the female joint you
> only have one go at it!, however i only needed one go at each, if you set
> the jig up as it states, take your time, let the router do the cutting and
> dont force it, youll have no problems at all. and remember, measure a dozen
> times at last and cut once!!

Broadly I have done this and agree.

You can download the instructions from the Trend website
http://www.trendmachinery.co.uk/homepage2003/

As said above try to plan the work so that you have enough material left for a
second go if you get it wrong.

Homebase sell worktops with one precut male end and one female end.

You may have enough material to make a practice cut of a male end.

The hirer said I had to buy a new cutter, he also lent me an old one which I
used for practice.

I did the job outside in my garden. It took sometime (all weekend) as I decided
to route out under each side of my double drainer sink. The tip of the cutter
got dirty and I used to clean it using water amd an old pan scrubber.

The router made quite a noise. I wore ear defenders, so I was OK, but the sound
was enough to annoy my neighbours.

Dont forget that you also need to cut slots for clamps to hold the two halves
together. (Just takes time)

Also you can use biscuits so that the two halves of the joint are kept at the
same level. Either hire a separate biscuit cutter or use a suitable special
router blade,

Michael Chare

[Ian Middleton]

My mate fitting his own kitchen paid for someone to do the 2 worktop joints
in his kitchen. The guy doing it had all the right tools, templates etc and
after much measuring etc did one cut per piece getting it right first time.
Also trimmed the back of the work top flush to the wall where it went
against a slightly "wonky" non 90 degree wall.

Did a nice job, worktop flush to wall and joints perfectly flat and
invisible. I think it cost £100.

"space" <crawfo...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
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[kitchenman]

If you are in my area email me from my site

--
regards
Dave Batter
Kitchenman
www.kitchenman.co.uk
www.sxmitres.info
www.marks-family.co.uk
http://oneandone.co.uk/xml/init?k_id=5568652
"Ian Middleton" <ia...@tcp.co.uk> wrote in message
news:yZ-dnZ-rVuQ...@tcp.co.uk...

> My mate fitting his own kitchen paid for someone to do the 2 worktop
joints
> in his kitchen. The guy doing it had all the right tools, templates etc
and
> after much measuring etc did one cut per piece getting it right first
time.
> Also trimmed the back of the work top flush to the wall where it went
> against a slightly "wonky" non 90 degree wall.
>
> Did a nice job, worktop flush to wall and joints perfectly flat and

> invisible. I think it cost Ł100.