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Fitting The Worktops. This page deals with fitting standard wooden worktops. If you are fitting composite, granite or stone worktops I would strongly recommend that you hire a specialist. There are two main ways to fit your worktops. You can use specially designed joining strips or a scribed joint / masons mitre. I am not going to go into too much detail regarding using the joining strips for two reasons. 1. They are self explanatory and require little technical skill. 2. I hate them (sorry to get personal) they are in my opinion a trap for grease, dirt and germs and they are on your kitchen work surface. If I haven't put you off yet they mark easily and tend to look unsightly long before the rest of your kitchen begins to weather. Unfortunately having had a go at joining strips I am now going to inform you that cutting a masons mitre requires a great deal of skill. However there are now a large range of jigs available that when used in conjunction with a good quality router can make the task much easier. This is what I am going to cover here. If you have not used a jig and or router before I have to recommend that you hire a carpenter/joiner to fit your worktops for you. Although the right tools make the job easier there is still a fair bit of skill involved and almost no margin for error. If you still insist on having a go then good for you and I hope this helps. Tip! Where practical start with your longest length. If you make a mistake you may be able to re use that piece elsewhere. If you are not going round a corner measure and cut the worktop using a router against a straight edge. If you are going around an internal corner offer both pieces of worktop into place and check that they will meet at right angles without leaving a large gap between the worktop and the wall. You should set up your jig and make your female cut first. Once you have done this put this piece in its final resting place and measure from the female cut to the desired finishing point. Cut your male joint before cutting the worktop to length so that if you go wrong you can make the cut again. You then need to cut out the bolt guides on the underside of the worktops using the jig. If possible I would recommend that you also use a few biscuit joints to eliminate the possibility of up and down movement. You should seal the cut ends with silicone and a bit of matching colourfill immediately prior to joining the two pieces together. Then tighten each bolt until it bites. Going along each bolt in turn tightening a bit until they are all tight and the joint is closed. Use the solvent provided with the colourfill to wipe away any access colourfill. Then fix the worktop to the units with small right angle brackets. Once you have done this your units should be very strong and sturdy. Lastly if you bought your kitchen from us and need further assistance with fitting remember we are able to offer telephone advice Monday to Saturday 8am - 8pm so don't hesitate to contact us. RETURN TO CONTENTS |