Full Size Kitchen
Kitchen countertops play a significant role in the overall versatility of the kitchen. From island cabinets to oversized breakfast bars, frugal homeowners endeavor to create user-friendly kitchens. For large families, the U-shaped countertop provides the most space in relation to each area of the kitchen. When building a U-shaped countertop, it is crucial for the joints to be as strong as possible.
Instructions
Measure and Cut
1. Set the fence of the table saw at 26 inches. Rip three pieces from the three-fourths-inch plywood. When assembled, this will be the deck onto which the covering will be installed. Next, set the fence of the table saw at 20 inches. Rip one piece of the left over plywood to this width and then cut two pieces from it 36 inches long.
2. Measure the length of the space where the connecting leg of the countertop is to be installed. Subtract 52 inches and cut one of the 26 inch wide pieces accordingly. For example, if the area where the connecting leg will be is 120 inches, subtract 52 inches and cut the piece 68 inches long.
3. Cut the other two legs of the U shape to the length needed. Lay the pieces in the U shape with the piece from Step 2 between the other two.
4. Measure out from one corner of the kitchen wall to the center of the kitchen sink. Next, measure from the corner of the countertop that represents that corner of the kitchen wall and make a mark of the plywood fro the center of the sink. Place the framing square on the mark and draw a line across the 26-inch width of the plywood.
5. Measure from the line drawn in the previous step and make a mark at 16 inches in both directions. Place the framing square on these marks and draw lines across the plywood as before.
6. Measure from the back edge of the kitchen countertop on the line representing the center of the sink and make a mark at 13 inches. Next, measure from this point towards the back and mark the center line at 10 9/16. Repeat this toward the front as well.
7. Place the framing square on one of the lines drawn in Step 6 and move it up or down the line until it comes to the mark you made on the center line. Draw a line perpendicular to the center line on each of the 10 9/16-inch marks. Place a vegetable can in the corners of the lines representing the sides and the front and back and draw a semicircle connecting the lines.
Assembly
8. Place the plywood with the sink cutout drawn on it on the 4 by 4 blocks. Align the blade of the skill saw on one of the outside lines of the sink cutout. Turn the saw on and lower it through the countertop until it seats and cut the line until it reaches the semicircle in the corners. Repeat this on all four of the lines. Cut the semicircles out with the jig saw.
9. Set the fence of the table saw at 1½ inches. Rip enough pieces to cover the entire perimeter of the U shaped countertop.
10. Set them up in the U shape with the bottom side of the top is facing up. Place the two 36-inch pieces from Step 1 of the previous section over the splices. Be certain they do not enter the area of the sink cutout and trace their shape onto the plywood. Remove them, apply glue to the area and secure them with the box nails.
11. Cut the 1 ½ inch strips to the lengths needed to fit around the perimeter of the U shape with the electric miter saw. Apply glue to them and secure them with the box nails. Make sure they are flush on the front edges.
12. Turn the top over so the top side is facing up. Place it on the cabinets and secure from underneath through the corner blocks on the cabinets with drywall screws. Check the joints and sand them with a belt sander and 100-grit sandpaper. If you want to use laminate material to cover this countertop, see the article in the Reference section entitled "Laminating a Countertop".
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