Any counter top pros here.

[Stratosman]

Hey I have a solid surface top on a small bench in the garage, anyway I ran water and waste to it and plan on putting a sink there for fish cleaing and what have you, anyway, how do you go about cutting solid surface, do they make a circular saw blade or a jig saw blade or what? Just going to do a drop in stainless type tub so edge cleanliness isn't a huge deal.

Thanks!

[alwaysonthemove]

solid surface of what?

[merkman]

ehow dot com says:

How to Cut a Solid Surface Countertop By Jeremy Holloman

Step 1 Spread plastic on the driveway or flat surface where you plan to cut the countertop.

Step 2 Place the countertop on a pair of sawhorses on top of the plastic. Be sure to have someone else help you move the countertop.

Step 3 Mark the line of the cut on the countertop using a straight edge and a pencil.

Step 4 Clamp the straight edge to the countertop to guide the saw during cutting. If the edge that you are cutting will abut a wall and be covered by a backsplash, then you don't have to use the guide, as any imperfections in the cut will be covered.

Step 5 Cut the countertop using a circular saw and a new carbide-tipped blade, preferably one with 40 teeth to provide the smoothest cut possible. Move the saw slowly to prevent excessive heat buildup on the blade. Have a helper hold the nozzle of a Shop-Vac slightly behind the circular saw to capture most of the dust from the cut.

Step 6 Mark the next cut, if needed, and repeat the process.

**Don't use a cheap blade. Quality saw blades cost more but cut much better than the cheaper alternatives.

**Wear safety glasses and a respirator, because cutting a solid-surface countertop creates a lot of fine dust particles.

[Stratosman]

Okay thanks...I was wondering if a circular saw blade would work or get gummed up too much.

Thanks again

[walleyeseeker]

You will need to use the highest number of teeth possible. Also, a triple chip grind carbide blade is best. Make sure to keep your cuts as straight as possible and do not cut square inside corners. Always leave inside corners with a small radius. The best way to cut out for a sink would be with a router with a 1/2 inch straight bit. Solid surface is easy enough to work with, but square corners and chips will lead to cracks in the top. Good luck.

[Stratosman]

That's about the route I took... set it on some horses and layed out the cut and plunged a circular saw through and cut to about 3/8" to the corners and finished with a jig saw. Really pretty easy and I now have a fish cleaning station in my garage...ready for ice fishing.

Thanks

[Snowking]

i love the smell of freshly cut solid surface. use to do 3 tops a month. now its all granite.