sawhorses - Wood Tools

OVERVIEW:How To lnstqll Butcher-Block Counters,rll fa\/t '=re / \Counterbores & Edge HolesBiscuits olign countertop ----- receive counlertop fosteners (poge 78) 45'Chomfer fi / \ n-T--.sec'onsor^,,")y;oround sink opening echoeseLlFtbeuel on sink rim (poge 79)\W-/'\B\\\ -/u fI ffi-l!, v Robbet routed oroundunderside of sink openingrecesses sink into thickcountertop (poge 79)./ - p Counterlopa:\ '[Fosteners- (poge 78)Oversizeinq Holesewood movement*...;....q,*t\#10 x l7z" Ph'SheetMetol Screw,,,/ ,4.// /t/SinkKohler K-3.l 60-HKohler.com;800-456-4537\\,,,,Undermount',r'l''A6,SinkSeolont#10 x 3/a" PhSheet Meiol ScrewPocket Foro ron off the kirchen cabinets onpage 68, I wanted countertops thatwere elegant and durable, with aclassic look that compiemented thecabinets. But I didn't want to break thebudget with stone or solid surfacing. Idecided that maple butcher-block counterswould be the best choice.At first, I figured I d just build the counterrops.But the idea of cutting. jointing,gluing up, and sanding all those strips ofhard maple into perfectly flat slabs was abit daunting. Plus, a quick count proved I'dhave to make a major investment in barclamps to have enough for the job.Using Pre-Made Tops -ThattwhenI arrived at a per€ct compronrise: Id buythe countertops, and then install them mysel{For the tops, I turned toJohn Boos andConrpany (lghlrDoes.ead.The maple topsI used are 11/2" thick and come in 2- to72-foot lengths. Plus, they're economical atIess than $4 per square foot.In some situations, you may be able toorder countertops in the exact length thatyou need. More often, though, you'll orderthem extra long and then cut them to fit.A Quick Overview - Installing thetops was really a straightforward process.The Illustratiort above shows what's involved.The big challenge here is cutting the longnriters where the rwo sections meet. But arouter and shop-built guide make it easy(page 78).Two more jigs simplift installing theunique fasteners thatjoin the secfions.I also added an undermount sink. whichrequired clean, accurate cuts and a decorativeedge (Sink Detail).Aeain, a router andtemplate keep the process simple (page 79).After that, it's just a matter of mountingthe countertops to the cabinets.This is likeinstalling any other countertop, except themounting holes are oversize, as shownabove, to allow the countertop to expandand contract with changes in humidity.77