Miter a countertop

Miter a countertop

by ken
(claverack, ny)

How do you cut a 221/2° miter in a 2ft (600mm) countertop?

Hello, hope you can help.

Two of us have volunteered to build the bar in the new firehouse. The bar has a total length of 39 feet and is to contain 4 miter joints of 22.5 degrees each.

How can we cut these four joints across the 2 foot width so that the joints fit snugly, without any unsightly gaps?

Cheers,

Ken

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Miter a countertop

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Jul 04, 2011

Worktop Clamping
by: Anonymous

No problem, glad I can help.

If you look at this video on youtube (copy and paste thie address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUTLTZYpjtE&feature=related)
about 4 minutes in he demonstrates the clamps I was talking about and also using a biscuit jointer to add strength.

Not the most exciting video but it shows how to clamp the joints up. It doesnt matter that he is doing a 90° joint it will work for yours too, as long as the counter you are using is thick enough.

Gary

Jul 04, 2011

countertop miters
by: ken

Thank you for the info gary. I believe that clamping the joints will be tougher than cutting the miters. ken

Jul 03, 2011

How to neatly cut counter top miters for a bar
by: Gary

There are a couple of different ways you could cut these miters perfectly, depending on your skill level, the quality of finish required and what tools you have available.

Easiest method:
Using a circular saw and a clamped straight edge. Because the saw cuts on the upward stroke you'd need to cut the tops upside down. Also, score with a stanley knife the front edge so the timber doesn't splinter out when the saw breaks through at the end of the cut.

Second way:
Straight edge and a router. Worktop joints are generally cut with a jig and router, and i've used the jig before as a straight edge to cut counters. This way you could cut face up, still score the edge and make more than one pass taking about 3/4in at a time.

Best way?
If you have acess to one or can hire/borrow use a plunge saw. Dewalt, festool and makita all make them.
Basically a circular saw with a guide rail, cuts a perfectly straight line and you cut from the top. I'd use it out of the three.

Joining the tops:
You didnt ask, so may already know/have this figured out. If not, i'd use worktops clamps underneath if the tops are thick enough to use the dog-bone shape recesses underneath. Ideally use a biscuit jointer or fit dowels in the edges to give the joint more strength too.

Hope that helps, any more questions post them here,

Gary

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Miter a countertop

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Miter a countertop