Best Guide: How to Cut Countertop For Sink (Updated 2022)

Make sure to cover the butcher block’s cut ends with a solvent polyurethane finish prior to placing the counter top on the counter. The finish stops moisture and dampness from entering into the grain of the wood and distorting the surface of the material.

Make use of a completely new carbide saw blade. Blades that are worn or aged may run too slowly, and this will allow the wood to smoke or shred in a jagged manner.

This is the most detailed tutorial available for cutting the countertop.

This article walks you through the process of cutting a new countertop for your kitchen sink point by point.

Once you’re constructing or renovating a kitchen, having a prefabricated laminate countertop may save you both effort / expense on the project.

Those worktops, which often have an incorporated splash and a front border that wraps around the whole surface, are long-lasting and simple to get at a home store.

Let’s see how to cut countertop for sink in this guide.

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How to mount undermount sink to granite countertop

Where are kraus Sinks made

How to Cut Countertop For Sink

For cutting the countertop for your sink, you may the assistance of following tools.

So try to buy these tools from any home improvement stores or online.

Materials Required

• Pen with a felt tip

• Drill

• Painter’s tape

• Kraft Paper

• Spade bit with a 1/2-inch diameter

• Jigsaw

• 12-TPI jigsaw blades are recommended.

• Two-by-four lumber is measured in length.

• Screws

• A belt sander, a wood rasp, or a coarse file (optional)

• Knife for everyday use

• Tape Measure

Step 1: Choose the Perfect Blade

• While cutting laminate, there are two ways you may implement it to ensure that the corners are smooth and chip-free.

• You must apply both procedures if possible.

• In the first step, you will apply painter’s tape on the kitchen countertop surface, sketch the sink pattern on the tape, and then trim through it with a knife.

• The second step, is to select the perfect cutting blade for the work.

Step 2: Use Jigsaw Blade with Atleast 12 TPI

• Use of a commercial jigsaw blade with a limited amount of upward angled teeth is not recommended since the teeth will cut harshly and drive the laminate upward, increasing the likelihood of chipping.

• Replace it with one with at least 12 TPI (tooth per inch) and with teeth that extend directly out from the shank without any upward inclination.

• Another thing to consider is whether the kitchen countertop is sturdy enough—whether it is securely fastened to the cabinet or mounted on a sawhorse—so that it does not wobble or wriggle about while you are cutting.

Step 3 : Making a Mark on the Countertop for the Cutout

• When you purchase a new sink, it will arrive with a pattern that you may use to create the opening in the sink.

• If you’re refurbishing an old sink, on the other hand, then you just have to create your own layout.

• This could be accomplished by spreading Kraft paper over the sink hole, binding down the sides, then cutting around the interior corners of the sink using a sharp utility knife to create a border.

Step 4: Give Enough Space for Positioning

• In order to properly position the layout on the countertop, you must provide a minimum space of 1 1/2 inches between the front end of the sink and the front margin of the laminate countertop.

• You’ll also require sufficient space at the rear for the jigsaw, which is approximately the same number as at the front.

Step 5: Measure the Size of Sink Opening

• With just a measuring tape, calculate the size of the sink hole, and then use those values to draw a basic outline of the aperture on the countertop using painter’s tape.

• Create an overlapping pattern on the tape by laying the template on top of it; next level the template and glue it down; then draw the borders of the tape with a felt-tip pen.

• Discard the layout, and you’ll be ready to begin cutting the hole.

Step 6: Cut the Hole

• A jigsaw may be used to cut the hole.

• Cut a small hole within the outline using  a 1/2-inch spade bit so that it barely reaches the line at the bottom.

• The jigsaw blade should be slipped through the hole, the saw foot should be level on the countertop, and the cutting should start on the line.

• Following the completion of almost three-quarters of the shape, you will need a bracing to avoid the cutout from collapsing suddenly and cracking the laminate backing.

• A simple method for doing this is to fasten a piece of two-by-four to the cutout that is wide enough to overhang both sides.

Step 7: Dry Fit the Sink

• After you’ve completed cutting and removing the cutout, you may begin dry-fitting the sink.

• If somehow the sink cutout is too small, expand it using a belt sander, wood rasp, or coarse file, to make it larger as required.

• Continue to enlarge the opening until the sink can be inserted easily without jamming; now take the tape off and you’re finished.

Video Guide: How to Cut a Hole For Sink in Laminate Countertop

How to Cut a Sink Opening in a Granite Countertop

Here is step by step guide to create a sink opening in a granite countertop

Step 1: Position the Granite Countertop

• Install the granite on a firm work surface and secure it with clamps.

• Make a mark on the cutting line.

• Mask the cut line with biue or adhesive tape to reduce the amount of chip-out.

• Measure again and label the tape with a new mark.

Step 2: Protect the Shoe of Saw

• Make use of blue-tape to protect the shoe of your circular saw from damaging your granite countertop surface if you’re cutting with one.

• The guard should not be removed if you are using a grinder. It is advised that you use face protection.

• Establish a straightedge guide, similar to a shot board, to simplify the task.

• The use of an angle grinder is a freehand-cutting technique.

Step 3: Don’t apply Strain

• No matter what tool you select, make the tool work, but do not push the tool to move.

• The chip-out will be reduced, and the cut will be as clean as possible.

• If the tool is generating excessive strain, perform the cut in two stages.

Step 4: Back-Cutting Technique

• Certain slab installers use a back-cutting technique.

• In other respects, they leave a 2-inch kerf at the final tip of the cut so that the granite doesn’t chip or shatter severely once the cut is completed.

Step 5: Remove the Saw Marks

• Take an angle grinder with sanding discs to remove saw marks from the cut edge and  micro-bevel the cut edge to make it softer.

• Pads range in grit from 50 to 3000 or more, based on the scale of softness and shine needed for the final product.

• The procedure for cutting granite countertops for sinks seems to be the same.

• A hole is drilled in every corner of the granite slab at the sink point, and plunge cuts are required to pierce the granite solid surface countertops in order to make the shift directions.

Video Guide: How to Cut a Sink Hole in Granite Countertop

How to Cut a Butcher Block Countertop

Step 1: Check the Measurements

• Preliminary measurements should be taken to ensure that the width of the sink cabinet to be fitted with butcher block is accurate.

• It is recommended that a 1″ overlap of butcher block be allowed at the edge of the run unless the run is free ended and also not between the opposing walls.

Step 2: Draw Line Using Pencil

• The second step is to attach the butcher block to a stable platform.

• Calculate the length of the cabinet run, considering the 1-inch overhang.

• Create a bright line with the pencil, being sure to use the carpenter’s square to ensure that the line is exactly straight.

Step 3: Press the Masking Tape

• Apply two levels of masking tape well above the pencil line you just made.

• In order to ensure that your pencil line can be seen underneath the layers, keep the line strong and make it much more noticeable.

• Press down the masking tape against the surface.

Step 4: Change the Position of the Blade

• By using a small wing nut which lifts and descends the saw’s guide plate, you can change the level of the saw blade to the desired height.

• To do this, the blade should dangle approximately a quarter inch below the surface of the butcher block countertop.

• You should not use a blade that is lower and wider than the thickness of the wood because it may result in rips and fracturing of the wood countertop fibres.

Step 5: Adjust the Straight Edge Clamp

• Place the straight edge grip along the line you drew using the pencil.

• With the straightedge guiding your circular saw throughout the counter top, you can cut a precisely straight line across the surface.

• The straightedge clamp should be adjusted such that the guide plate runs along the clamp and the saw blade runs parallel to the pencil line.

Step 6: Verify the Settings

• As circular saw models vary widely, you must modify and verify the settings of both the guide plate and the blade multiple times before you are satisfied with the results.

• Give yourself plenty of time to ensure that your clamp is in the proper position, since this is the most crucial stage in producing a smooth and clean cut.

Step 7: Cut along the Line

• The butcher block should be cut all along the pencil line .

• Circular saw movements should be consistent, but not so rapid that the blade shreds the wood counters.

Step 8: Get Some Help

• Get the assistance of a friend or family member to catch the additional portion of butcher block counter top as you reach the edge of the cutting run, in order to prevent damaging or breaking up your nice piece of butcher block countertop.

Also read: How to get rid of sink smell

Video Guide: How to Cut A Hole in Butcher Block Countertop

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you learn more about the best way to cut your countertop for a sink. We are always trying to provide new and helpful information about home improvement.

Please don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber if you have any doubt about remodeling.