New member Hello

[Haveagotom]

Hello,

By way of introduction my name is Tom.
I am going to need a lot of help.
But if I have any snippets that might be useful I will contribute.

I (her indoors) have decided we are having a new kitchen.
So we have done the design bit and purchased it through B&Q.
I know there will be different points of view as to suppliers but its done now and will be arriving at the end of the month.
I have decided to fit it myself partly as a challenge and partly to keep me out of the pub a bit.
I have used tools and feel not totally useless but way off proficient.
My limited experience of projects has shown me that by the end you have learned a lot.
Anyway I shall shortly start removing bits and pieces and am in the planning phase.
I have purchased a laser spirit level so far which I think will be a great help.
Power tools wise I have an electric screwdriver and a bosch hammer drill.
My main concern will be when I come to fitting the worktops.
I have two that will be straight and just require one cut each.
First question what is best to cut a straight edge on 38 mm square edge (B&Q Lima) laminate/chipboard worktop?
(I have read on different places handsaw/ circular saw running against a clamped on straight edge / router / jig saw)
I do have a problem buying the right tool.
I should mention I will also be joining 2 work tops at 90 degrees and am aware I will require a biscuit jointer.
I have seen worktop jigs but do not think I will need to do a routed cut because I have the square edge as opposed to the curved
edge worktop.
Anyway that's more than enough for now. (I've gone on a bit)
Thanks for reading and thanks if you can respond with any advice.

Tom.

[PREM]

Welcome Tom

Firstly you say you don't mind buying tools, for the joints in the worktop you would be buying a jig and router. If you are a diyer you might use the router but i doubt it,  the jig you will only use on another kitchen.

Save your money and hair and ring around now for a kitchen fitter to do the worktops,  i say ring now as i often get calls to do worktops for the next day or next week.  Most will need weeks advance.  I have no doubt you would like to have a crack at it, but believe me its not a task you will ace first time around.

The square edge tops from B+Poo are very basic with no protection underneath at all,  the ones i fitted this week were the abs edged ones.  The paper backing underneath was missing 10mm all the way down on the front edge.  If you can get better quality laminates ( Duropal, Axiom). Well worth the price difference.

good luck

[Stretch]

And welcome from me Tom.

Firstly, square edge tops still need a masons mitre as you can't just butt them together.

You'll spend more on a half decent router and a jig than you would employing the services of a fitter and it will probably save your marriage. A lot of us here have been doing this for years and can still remember our first ever worktop joint.

A decent fitter should be able to do two joints, a sink and hob cut out and any edging strips in a day so you should reckon for about £200 depending on which area you are in.

Cutting straight edges is easy enough with a circular saw and a clamped straight edge as a guide. Jigsaw blades don't cut vertical and tend to wander unless you own a Mafell P1cc jigsaw.

Ideally you would clean up the cut with a router and straight edge but if you have a new blade in your circular saw, preferably with as many teeth as possible, and you cut the tops face down you should be able to get away with it.

For a one off fit, a hammer or SDS drill, a cordless driver, a jigsaw and a circular saw is all you need. And a few hand tools as well. Have fun!

[Haveagotom]

Thanks lads

plenty of food for thought there.

I will be getting a router and jig to do a 10 mm masons mitre.
So I am guessing I can save buying a circular saw for the straight edges and use my router.
Could I also dispense with a jig saw and use router for hob and sink providing I get enough router bits/blades?
i will also get a mitre saw for plinths etc.

Cheers,
Tom.

[PREM]

Just the opposite,  the saw and jigsaw you will use on other projects down the line, the jig and router will never get used until your next kitchen. 

Obviously you want to have a go and that's admirable, but if you do practice with scrap board first.  It will be a costly exercise if it goes tits up.

[Stretch]

You'll still need a jigsaw and circular saw although tbh you'd be better off with a plunge saw and guide rail for doing sink and hob cutouts. 

You won't be able to do a cut out for a sink or hob in one pass with a router. 

It is possible to use a regular circular saw to do plunge cuts although I wouldn't recommend it as you could easily lose a finger or two if it kicks back....or something more precious considering the height you'll be working at....if you get my meaning.

All that said, it is possible to fit a kitchen with basic cheap tools. We only invest in quality kit as we need it to last us years and not months. We've had plenty of DIYers on here asking for advice in the past and the results of their efforts have been commendable....be sure to post some pics up when it's all finished!