Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - countertops
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jim greer
04-15-09, 06:30 AM
how do the pro. countertop makers bend laminating material over rounded edges and in corners?
Just Bill
04-15-09, 04:36 PM
I use a paint stripper heat gun to carefully apply heat while bending the material to the approximate shape. DO NOT OVERHEAT, it will melt. Once you have the shape close to your needed bend, it will roll on and fit in place, with contact adhesive. Just keep in mind, that contact means just that. Once it is stuck, it is stuck. You rarely get a do-over.
Godzilla
04-22-09, 08:12 PM
Hey Just Bill
You might know this. I have a makeshift countertop/table in my basement that I am trying to rebuild. It is in the a corner in our laundry room and needed to be removed for the new dryer. Now I am trying to rebuild with the same counter top.
The countertop is one of the old kitchen counter tops made of plywood and laminate on top similar to what youre talking about below. Bottomline I would like to replace this counter with a new one of the same material but I am having trouble finding a new one. Do they still make this type of top? I am not looking to spend alot of money, just trying to make it look new. THis material is easy to work with since its wood and if I need to custom cut(which I will if I cant get it cut by a shop that sells it) I can. I have the frame built already. Your comments are much appreciated. :o
You might know this. I have a makeshift countertop/table in my basement that I am trying to rebuild. It is in the a corner in our laundry room and needed to be removed for the new dryer. Now I am trying to rebuild with the same counter top.
The countertop is one of the old kitchen counter tops made of plywood and laminate on top similar to what youre talking about below. Bottomline I would like to replace this counter with a new one of the same material but I am having trouble finding a new one. Do they still make this type of top? I am not looking to spend alot of money, just trying to make it look new. THis material is easy to work with since its wood and if I need to custom cut(which I will if I cant get it cut by a shop that sells it) I can. I have the frame built already. Your comments are much appreciated. :o
Just Bill
04-23-09, 04:39 PM
High pressure laminate(Formica, Wilsonart, etc) tops are still made and are probably the least expensive top available, and quite durable. They can be made in many configurations. The subtrate material is usually industrial grade particle board, with the outside edge built up to 1 1/2". Big box stores carry laminate , but in limited color selections, there are several hundred possibilities. Premade "post formed" tops are also available, but not with curved corners.
merlesdad
04-24-09, 06:47 AM
Just Bill got it right advising the use of the heat gun to relax the laminate so that you can bend it around a radius corner.
Keep in mind, that the"tighter" the corner the more difficult it will be. FYI, my shop used to do 1 1/2 radius corners with ease unless we use certain brands of laminate and then my newer employees with a little less experience would invariably snap or burn them. So in defense, we went to a 2" radius corner and solved the problem forever regardless of what brand we use.
In your post you mentioned "bend laminating material over rounded edges" If I read this right, you are talking about what is referred to as a post form edge. These are only going to be successfully created in a shop that is equipped to manufacture them. It is not, I repeat, not a DIY project. It not even a possibility in most countertop shops. And besides as Just bill said, with a post form top, you cant successfully laminate a true radius at least and have it look decent.
Keep in mind, that the"tighter" the corner the more difficult it will be. FYI, my shop used to do 1 1/2 radius corners with ease unless we use certain brands of laminate and then my newer employees with a little less experience would invariably snap or burn them. So in defense, we went to a 2" radius corner and solved the problem forever regardless of what brand we use.
In your post you mentioned "bend laminating material over rounded edges" If I read this right, you are talking about what is referred to as a post form edge. These are only going to be successfully created in a shop that is equipped to manufacture them. It is not, I repeat, not a DIY project. It not even a possibility in most countertop shops. And besides as Just bill said, with a post form top, you cant successfully laminate a true radius at least and have it look decent.