[RustyRealtor]

Hello Everyone,

I am attempting to cut a hole in a butcher block countertop to accept an under mount sink. The counter is 1-3/4" thick. I bought a new Dewalt (DW616) fixed base router and a 3/4" diameter router bit with a 2" cutting length. I thought I would build a simple template, buzz around it with the router and be finished. However, the round router base, which i thought would ride along the template, is not perfectly centered around the the spindle and I am afraid my hole will be less than stellar.

Can someone please give me some pointers as to the proper way to cut the hole the same size as the sink opening?

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

Hello Everyone,

I am attempting to cut a hole in a butcher block countertop to accept an under mount sink. The counter is 1-3/4" thick. I bought a new Dewalt (DW616) fixed base router and a 3/4" diameter router bit with a 2" cutting length. I thought I would build a simple template, buzz around it with the router and be finished. However, the round router base, which i thought would ride along the template, is not perfectly centered around the the spindle and I am afraid my hole will be less than stellar.

Can someone please give me some pointers as to the proper way to cut the hole the same size as the sink opening?

Rusty....... I'm very confused with the highlite part above. (except for a very expensive offset inside cut router, I do not understand)

(There are some other considerations in cutting out a 3/4 butsher block counter without an additional preliminary cut with a jig saw.)

Do you have a template bit or are you using a template guide bushing.....????

 

[SPS-1]

I can think of two ways:

1) get a bit with top bearing. i.e running bearing against template.

2) They make these centering cones. Put cone in collet. Loosen the screws on plastic plate. Plunge cone (lightly) into plastic plate to center it. Tighten screws. (you can probably find YouTube video better than my explanation)

 

[RustyRealtor]

Thanks for the replies.

The counter is 1-3/4" thick. I was planning to make a rough cut with a jig saw and leave an 1/8" or so to finish with the router.

I couldn't find a router bit of adequate length and diameter with a bearing on it. But I thought, mistakenly, that the router base would be concentric to the spindle.

I will try to find a centering cone.

 

[Nealtw]

Do a rough cut first with a jig saw so you are just removing an 1/8" with the router. If the shank is long enough you should be able to find a bearing and stopper to fit it.

 

[huesmann]

Does the router you have permit you to observe the "cut" as you make it? Or are you cutting blind?

 

[RustyRealtor]

I think the Dewalt router has a pretty good sight line.

I ordered a different router bit - a 3/4" diameter x 2" cutting length flush trim bit with a bearing on the end. I cut the sink hole and left an 1/8". I am going to mount the sink and countertop and when the bit arrives I will use the sink as the template and have the counter flush with the sink.

Thanks for the replies. I will send a pic of the finished product. If I ever finish it, that is.

 

[Nealtw]

I think the Dewalt router has a pretty good sight line.

I ordered a different router bit - a 3/4" diameter x 2" cutting length flush trim bit with a bearing on the end. I cut the sink hole and left an 1/8". I am going to mount the sink and countertop and when the bit arrives I will use the sink as the template and have the counter flush with the sink.

Thanks for the replies. I will send a pic of the finished product. If I ever finish it, that is.

If the router base is 6" across you will need more than 2 5/8" from the back of the sink to the wall. Just a thought.

 

[RustyRealtor]

Thanks, Neal.

I should have 5-1/2" from the wall to the sink.

It's really a tight squeeze - a 30" sink in a 30" Ikea sink base. The sink hole is 28" x 16" and the sink flange is 1" on all 4 sides, so it just slips into the into the sink base, left to right.

I had the sink 2-1/4" from the front of the counter top, but the sink hit the door hinges and I had to move the sink closer to the wall. The doors are 30" tall. I thought the doors were 26" with a 4" strip across the top, but Ikea stopped making the 24" tall sink doors.

Poor planning on my part. The newest Ikea cabinets are a lesson in mindfulness. They are very tedious, what with all the different door and drawer configurations. They used to be somewhat simple.

 

[Nealtw]

Thanks, Neal.

I should have 5-1/2" from the wall to the sink.

It's really a tight squeeze - a 30" sink in a 30" Ikea sink base. The sink hole is 28" x 16" and the sink flange is 1" on all 4 sides, so it just slips into the into the sink base, left to right.

I had the sink 2-1/4" from the front of the counter top, but the sink hit the door hinges and I had to move the sink closer to the wall. The doors are 30" tall. I thought the doors were 26" with a 4" strip across the top, but Ikea stopped making the 24" tall sink doors.

Poor planning on my part. The newest Ikea cabinets are a lesson in mindfulness. They are very tedious, what with all the different door and drawer configurations. They used to be somewhat simple.

If you are riding the bearing on the sink, you want to make sure the bearing isn't spinning with the bit, if it gets stuck it will burnish the sink.

 

[Mystriss]

Do you have the "bushing" [I think] in the router base plate? (The silver part):

 

[RustyRealtor]

No, Mystriss, I do not have the bushing. I ordered a bit with the bushing on the end.

 

[Nealtw]

Do you have the "bushing" [I think] in the router base plate? (The silver part):

That bushing is part of a kit that you add on. Use that instead of a bearing when you are plunging the router.

 

[Mystriss]

I thought the 616 came with it? Maybe it's the 618 that does?

Either way, I suppose as long as the bit clears the wood (below the bushing or bearing) it should work.

I think I prefer bushings because I find em more stable ~shrug~

 

[Nealtw]

I thought the 616 came with it? Maybe it's the 618 that does?

Either way, I suppose as long as the bit clears the wood (below the bushing or bearing) it should work.

I think I prefer bushings because I find em more stable ~shrug~

I bought set with a new craftsman router back in the 90s. The router was mostly plastic and flexed a little in the middle so the bit ate the bushing.

I went back to using the table router with a fence, THWI. The router went back.

 

[ront02769]

I am missing the whole router deal. Turn the sink upside down, put it in place, and draw it. Then just measure 3/4 of an inch in from that and draw again. Drill a hole in all four corners and jigsaw away. Not looking perfect? Out the sink in and no one will see it....and you’ll have saved yourself grief and router $$.....and I agree on the ikea cabinets. Especially hate the ones that hang off of that long metal plate that yuo screw into the wall.....and hence are not flush against said wall

 

[Nealtw]

I am missing the whole router deal. Turn the sink upside down, put it in place, and draw it. Then just measure 3/4 of an inch in from that and draw again. Drill a hole in all four corners and jigsaw away. Not looking perfect? Out the sink in and no one will see it....and you’ll have saved yourself grief and router $$.....and I agree on the ikea cabinets. Especially hate the ones that hang off of that long metal plate that yuo screw into the wall.....and hence are not flush against said wall

It is under mount.:wink2:

 

[RustyRealtor]

ront02769, I drilled the corners cut the top with the circular saw and finished with a jig saw and left stock for the router. I mounted the sink and slathered the top with mineral oil and installed the faucet and told my wife I should've just finished it without the router. I'm OCD, I think. My reasoning for the router is the fact that I find it impossible to drill a well located and perpendicular hole with a hand drill. I want things perfect, but I have yet to come close. I've spent way too much time on this countertop. And, I'm gonna have to pull the faucet when my router bit arrives.

 

[Nealtw]

ront02769, I drilled the corners cut the top with the circular saw and finished with a jig saw and left stock for the router. I mounted the sink and slathered the top with mineral oil and installed the faucet and told my wife I should've just finished it without the router. I'm OCD, I think. My reasoning for the router is the fact that I find it impossible to drill a well located and perpendicular hole with a hand drill. I want things perfect, but I have yet to come close. I've spent way too much time on this countertop. And, I'm gonna have to pull the faucet when my router bit arrives.

How will you finish the CT to protect it from water. will you be able to drop the sink and clean up the bottom edge and finish the bottom a bit.

 

[ront02769]

It is under mount.:wink2:

Two little words! Ohwell.