Undermount sink installation: does it NEED a template?

[Porkins'Wingman]

We've recently bought an undermount kitchen sink to be fitted to a new solid wood worktop.

I bought the sink online here - http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BMS020SS%20.html

The sink was supplied without a template, and having phoned around no template is available for it. However, the website I bought it from provides this document, featuring 'Inset Hole' dimensions - http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/D ... SS_Dim.pdf

The carpenter who was going to do the work is insisting that he needs a template to do it.

The suppliers of the sink say that a proper kitchen fitter would be quite at home working with just the dimensions.

Any thoughts on this? If you've looked at the .pdf you'll see that the inset hole diagram has straight-edge corners rather than rounded - is this normal? Presumably a rounded corner can still be achieved...

Thank you. Been without a kitchen worktop and sink for almost a month and it's just one obstacle after another...

[thescruff]

Have to agree with the supplier.

If the carpenter can't work from the pdf/scaled drawing it's time for a new carpenter.

[big-all]

lay the sink upside down draw the line
draw another line 15mm inside and cut from the top
actual setback depends on manufacturer
drill 2x 10mm holes in diagonally opposite corners

[Porkins'Wingman]

Thanks, but I'm not sure that approach is much good for an undermount.

[big-all]

yep sorry 12mm greater overhang than the inside sink edge 6mm drip groove 8mm from the finished cut edge terminating over the sink area if the worktop protrudes beyond the sink

[prime]

Great to have a template, but then it should be within the fitters capabilities, just a case of taking a little bit longer to do.

[thescruff]

If you got a piece of cardboard or hardboard, it would be a simple task to make a template, all the measurements are clearly marked and a piece of cake to follow.

[speed]

ok if i was doing it i would make a mdf jig,(i would make the jig to the curve of the sink not straight lines. and remove the middle bit as waste.

i would sand the rest of the jig so ins nice and smooth, place on worktop hog the middle bit out with a jigsaw a few mm from the jig then run round the jig with a baring guided router cutter

[thescruff]

To be perfectly honest speed, I think it will look cheap and nasty however way you cut the top.

The partition between the bowls is not ideal for under counter sinks Yuk.

Sorry OP, just don't think it will look good.

[Porkins'Wingman]

To be perfectly honest speed, I think it will look cheap and nasty however way you cut the top.

The partition between the bowls is not ideal for under counter sinks Yuk.

Sorry OP, just don't think it will look good.

No offence taken, I wasn't mad on the partition look myself, but I don't think it ruins anything either.

This is the first time I've done a new kitchen and there's obviously been a few points to remember to maybe do differently next time.

I've had another carpenter come round this evening and he's going to approach it in a similar way to Speed's description. Got to wait a whole 'nother week but if there's an end in sight I don't care.

[royaloakcarpentry]

Would be a miracle to get a template supplied.....................I have never had one come with an undermount sink.

You do not need a template for sinks, or any cut outs. this type of sink all you need is a jig with multiple radius on it, time, skill and a router.

[Loosenup]

templates for undermount sinks can be bought from wilsonart for certain ranges. Mainly Franke sinks . these are mdf throwaway ones so are reasonable .. not all sinks available though . These are used for undermount on the earthstone range of tops but would work equally well with solid wood . do not buy the drainer template .. useless.

however not difficult for a competent carpenter or decent kitchen fitter to make one from scratch .. bit time consuming but not impossible .. I have done it on numerous occasions when the need has arisen .

Phill