Splicing countertops

[zingo]

I have three countertops that need to be joined into a "U". The edges are rounded, and the question is how to best join them together. Should I go for diagonal cuts in the corners, or right-angled? How can I make the joints as unnoticeable as possible?

 

[Larsa]

There are aluminum joint strips, but it's not very nice. I would have made straight joints. It's a bit tricky because you have to miter the actual curvature, but if you're careful it works. Mill/saw a biscuit in the joint and mill in special fasteners for jointing on the underside.

 

[zingo]

That's what I thought, but what is a "kex"?

 

[jon_h]

A so-called biscuit is a small oval corrugated wood piece. It works somewhat like a dowel, but more precisely and stronger.

Edit: Check here

 

[H_L]

Just wanted to clarify, you need to use a biscuit joiner to mill grooves in the joint surfaces and then glue in biscuits at 15-20 cm intervals.

 

[Larsa]

You can also mill a groove with a sidfalsfräs (http://www.jula.se/Butik/docs/Mallar/mall6.asp?OrderId=403634942&pf_id=SE-186120&dept_id=SE-) and glue in a strip of plywood.

 

[zingo]

Now it's starting to get advanced, and there's a significant risk of making a mistake with the record if you've never done it before. And then there's no turning back. New record.
I guess I'll have to come up with something else.

 

[Martin_Blomberg]

Now it's starting to get advanced, and there's a significant risk of making mistakes on the board if you've never done it before. And then there's no turning back. New board. I might have to come up with something else.

Practice cutting and joining some leftover pieces of countertop before you tackle the real material.

 

[zingo]

Good idea, but I don't have any restskivor yet.

 

[johnnyz]

If I were unsure, I would go to a carpentry shop so they could adjust the boards to each other in a professional way. Be sure to include the wall angles that the boards will rest against, possibly make templates out of regular battens or any other wood you have so they can transfer the angle directly to the boards. Good luck.

 

[Martin_Blomberg]

Good idea, but I don't have any scrap sheets yet.

You can usually get free scrap sheets at K-rauta, Silvan, Bauhaus etc. if you ask. There are 2 types of scrap sheets, those that are sold for around 200 kronor per meter that are larger and can be used for something, and those that end up in the trash container. These intended for the trash container have odd shapes and are unevenly cut, etc. However, they are excellent for practicing on.

 

[Mikael_L]

I suppose it's also possible to test with some wood shavings or similar, if you have some leftover.
So to route + biscuit, to test that little notch at an angle you probably need a countertop for.

 

[zingo]

The boards should be placed on the rafters that form the framework for cabinets and shelves underneath them. Can't you place a rafter along a joint and, for example, connect the rafter with the boards using several metal brackets after sawing as best as you can?

 

[OlaF]

If I were uncertain, I would go to a carpentry so they could adjust the boards to each other in a professional way. Be careful to include the wall angles that the boards will rest against

Word! The walls are probably not exactly 90 degrees against each other, and the seam in a countertop must be *really good* for it to look nice and to prevent water and dirt from getting into the seam.

 

[Plupp 23608]

Does anyone know why it's almost always done like in Larsa's picture, instead of cutting the boards at a 45° angle across?