Options on joining two straight worktops.

[dylanp]

Hello all,

I am planning on making part of my garage into a utility/laundry room. Nothing special, just a few wall cabinets and worktop over washing machine and dryer. My question relates to the worktop. I have a spare 600mm base unit, which I am intending to use as an under-sink cabinet. Washing machine and dryer are both 600mm, give or take, so 1800mm in total. I'll need around a 2m length of worktop. Rather than go to B & Q etc and buying a 3m off-the-shelf worktop I am hoping to be able to join two cut-offs I have left from when I had a kitchen fitted last year. I have an 700mm length and a 1400mm length. Could I fit these together just using fixing plates and maybe a jointing strip? Maybe attach an end slab under the joint for additional support?

Many thanks

[Pooneil]

These are the fellas you need for a proper job:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/worktop-conn ... prod23556/

You'll need a router to cut the rebates they sit in, although I've seen it done to some success by drilling several holes to shape.

Or a jointing strip would work.

[Bikergirl]

I have in my younger greener years fitted these with a drill and a chisel, but a router is so much easier.

[speed]

the only problem is the joint will have to go over the washer and dryer meaning there is lack of support for the join, the best way to join is with the bolts pooneil suggests with a few biscuits, but if you put any weight on the worktop it will prob fail, nodoubt baskets of washing will get put on the worktop.

if you have room inbetween the washer and dryer to put an end panel it will help

imo you are better off just getting a new length, because when the jointed top fails and you have rip out the sink go buy a top and start again

[Pooneil]

the only problem is the joint will have to go over the washer and dryer meaning there is lack of support for the join...

Well spotted.

[dylanp]

Hi chaps, thanks for the replies. As I don't have access to a router I was hoping I might get away with fitting 3 fixing plates on the underside and a joint strip. However, as 'speed' notes above, weight is going to be a problem. My thought was to attach an end panel too.

[dylanp]

Maybe I could attach a timber block the load-bearing end-panel with angle brackets to provide additional support?

[ayjay]

If you put the 600 cupboard in the centre and use the whole of the 700 piece of w'top it leaves you needing 1100 of the other piece and puts the joint over the 600 cpbd - it's not ideal to have a joint under a sink(or drainer) but it's do-able, depends how fussy you want to be in a garage.

[dylanp]

If you put the 600 cupboard in the centre and use the whole of the 700 piece of w'top it leaves you needing 1100 of the other piece and puts the joint over the 600 cpbd - it's not ideal to have a joint under a sink(or drainer) but it's do-able, depends how fussy you want to be in a garage.

That was something I was considering.

[dylanp]

Or maybe screw an end panel into the base cabinet gable to give me 50mm to rest the joint on?

[ayjay]

Or maybe screw an end panel into the base cabinet gable to give me 50mm to rest the joint on?

By the time you've cut the sink top in there'll not be much more than a couple of inches left at the back and front to support, the base unit should do that.

You will need to seal it really well if the joint is under the sink.

[fin]

ive had to do this once. though not with a sink. i was fitting a kitchen and we needed 3 lengths of worktop. it happened to be the last 3 lengths in the country of a discontinued design. i cocked up the last mitre lol. so we had to add on maybe 200mm or so to the last worktop to recut the mitre. i ran my router over to make sure it was spot on. cut the bolt tie holes. and used clear silicone to seal it. i could barely see the join and i knew it was there.

[Colour Republic]

I think the best way in your situation give the sizes, lack of router and placement is put the sink at one end, place a sheet of ply or MDF over the whole length, place a jointing strip at 1400mm (over the washer) then screw to the MDF/ply

[dylanp]

I think the best way in your situation give the sizes, lack of router and placement is put the sink at one end, place a sheet of ply or MDF over the whole length, place a jointing strip at 1400mm (over the washer) then screw to the MDF/ply

That could work!