Does anyone know the best way to cut an opening for a sink in a formica countertop?

Answer 1

Draw the opening you want, and use a router...

Answer 2

You should have a drill with about a 1 inch wood bit and a jig saw with a not fine but next course size.
I have cut many holes for kitchen and bathroom sinks. What you want to do is center your sink where you want it and draw the outline of the sink. Then look at the underside of the sink and see how much room you have before the sink or clamp line is and the measure it and I guess its called free hand that inside line off of that measurement.
Be sure that when I say center it in mean on the cabinet not the top it self because of the over hang on the top. Drill a hole on the inside of the inside line for you to start your blade. You may want to drill more than one hole but that will be up to you. Like if it is a kit. sink with 4 corners.
You should be good with that. Just make sure you cut on the inside line. If this is a sink you will want to have some of what ever color you want adhesive caulk. I'm not sure if you caulk a stove top or not but it should tell you if you are suppose to.

Answer 3

In the first place a router is for finish work, you'd be there all day trying to cut through thick material with one.

Turn your sink upside down on top of the new sink where you want it. Draw a carefully marked pencil mark all the way around the sink.. Remove it, the sink.

Now measure the flange of the sink, the cut mark has to be the one you made less this flange. The flange will sit on your counter top and hold the sink up, get it?

Now you've measured and took off for the flange so, you've got a cut mark, remember this, measure twice, cut once, got it?

Cut your straight lines with a new blade in a power saw, a ten inch hand saw. When you come to the round corners stop, these can be finished with a small hand held Sabre saw.

Your ready to put in your sink.

Answer 4

the best thing is a sheet mill... but since we can't all afford those, or have a place to put them, those rotozip saws actually work very well on formica. other tools that can be used are jig saws, sawzall (not very good for a small sink), keyhole saws (inexpensive but requires elblow grease). I have seen a router used with a flush cut bit after drilling a hole, however if it catches the formica wrong it can send a chunk/chip flying. Personally I recommend a Rotozip or Jigsaw.

Answer 5

As a builder, I have worked with both products. When I build a house to sell, I have to determine whether or not the proposed price range and that particular customer base will expect laminate counter tops (Formica is a brand name) or hard surfaces like granite or other man-made products (Corian is also a brand name). That said, if you sold your house, which surface would a potential buyer expect? Now to specifically answer your question. Laminated tops have been around for decades and if taken care of will last for decades. They have their limitations but so do solid surfacing types. In my personal home I installed a laminated plastic that looks almost identical to a common color of granite. On the backsplash I installed noce style 4x4 tiles, which are a natural product that looks awesome when sealed. For the sink, my wife chose an 8" deep stainless steel insulated sink and brushed nickel faucet. Everyone loves her kitchen and at first thinks that it is granite. By the way, I can send you a pic if you want to see it. Granite looks great too but requires regular maintenance (applying sealer) because it is suspectible to staining. It all depends on the look you want and the appliance color that you presently have. Good luck,

Answer 6

Mark and cut from the back side if at all possible. If top is already in place and can't be removed then tape off the area where you need the sink to go, trace the outline on the tape and cut with skill saw with a plywood/paneling blade for the straight lines ad use a jig saw with a fine tooth blade for the turns.

Answer 7

I am most definately not a pro, but when I cut mine, I traced the outline of the sink, then measured in 1/4 inch, and then placed masking tape on the line to assist with the formica not tearing. It worked for me.

(Better yet, hire a professional that knows what they are doing!) HA

Good luck, I hope it works.

Answer 8

Hi , the fastest and easiest way is with a tool called,"Roto Zip" It's kind of like a combination of a Jig Saw, and a Scroll Saw but is hand held. You just draw your template on the Formica, drill a hole ,insert the RotoZip,and away you go! Bye

Answer 9

If it is a drop in sink, use a new carbide blade in your circular saw, trim corners with a jig saw.
If it's an undermount sink, your screwed.

Answer 10

First you need to scribe a line with a razor blade to to keep from chipping the for-mica then use a center punch drill bit to start the hole.

Answer 11

A router with a cutting bit.