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  • Turn-of-the-Century (3of 3): Counter and Sink Installation
  • From "Kitchen Renovations"
    episode DKTN-204


    PHOTO

    Paul Ryan, host of Kitchen Renovations, starts a three-part project to convert this out-of-date kitchen...
    PHOTO

    in a house that the homeowners are restoring ...
    PHOTO

    into an authentically recreated Victorian kitchen ...
    PHOTO

    complete with period appliances and ...
    PHOTO

    new counters!
    In this segment host Paul Ryan dry fits all the sections of the counter, and they're shimmed to level. The seams are sealed and sanded down.

    Materials and Tools:

    For Prepping the Sink Cabinet--

    measuring tape, level, shims, silicone, caulk gun, 2" x 4" support block, 3" nails, impulse framing nailer

    For Countertop Installation--

    helpers, sandpaper, silicone, caulk gun

    For Modifying and Cutting the Soapstone--

    safety glasses, tablesaw with guide, diamond blade

    For Prepping the Soapstone Joints--

    safety glasses, tape, level, shims, 2-part epoxy, silicone, caulk gun, small putty knife, Soapstone dust, orbital palm sander

    For Installing the Backsplash--

    silicone, caulk gun, 2-part epoxy

    For Installing the Copper Backsplash--

    safety glasses, gloves, 1/4" plywood, sheets of copper backsplash, pencil, Dremel tool with carberundum cutting wheel, copper nails, drill, vix bit, hammer, caulk gun, silicone

    For Trimming the Copper--

    safety glasses, chop saw, chair rail trim material, mold cover trim material, tape measure

    For Sealing the Countertops--

    mineral oil, clean lint-free cloth

    For the Appliance Installation--

    helpers, dolly
    advertisement


    PHOTO

    Figure A
    Tips for Handling Soapstone Materials

    • Note that soapstone is a heavy material, so handling it is "not" a one-person job. Always have help on hand.

    • Inspect the materials (figure A) when they arrive from the fabricator to make sure the dimensions are correct.

    • If you need to modify the slabs of soapstone, you can cut them with a table saw and diamond blade. Go slow when you are cutting and don't force the piece -- let the blade do the work.

    PHOTO

    Figure B
    PHOTO

    Figure C
    PHOTO

    Figure D
    PHOTO

    Figure E
    PHOTO

    Figure F
    Installing the Soapstone Countertop

    1. Bring in the countertop and rest it on top of the sink cabinet, lifting and sliding into place at the same time. Slide piece back into place (figure B). Dry fit all the pieces before applying silicone to any of them.

    2. Epoxy the pieces together and be sure to silicone down the edge.

    3. If you happen to have a piece of soapstone that needs to be cut down, do the following:

      • Replace the table-saw blade with a diamond blade.

      • Set your table saw so the first pass over the blade will take you half way through the thickness.

        Tip: As mentioned earlier, be sure to go slow when cutting a piece of soapstone. Don't force the piece at all. And always wear goggles, a dust mask and hearing protection when cutting stone.

      • Make your first cut.

      • Now raise the blade to enough to go all the way through the thickness of the piece (figure C). Save some of the dust from cutting the stone because it can be used later to hide the silicone in the joint.

      • Dry fit the piece again to make sure the joints are level. Shim if necessary.

    4. Continue to dry fit all the pieces and install. Use shims were necessary.

    5. To attach or join the pieces of soapstone, lay two strips of masking tape on either side (figure D) and to seal the seam use a two-part epoxy.

    6. Have all the pieces in place and leveled before you start because the adhesive sets quickly.

    7. Fill the joints using a small putty knife. Push as much epoxy into the joint as possible (figure E) and scrap off the excess.

    8. Put a bead of silicone under the edge of the countertop and the top-inside edge of the sink.

    9. Before the silicone dries completely, sprinkle some soapstone dust over the seam. This will make the joint match the actual countertop.

    10. Silicone the sink and cabinet tops.

    11. Pull off the tape before the silicone in the seams is completely dry.

    12. Once seams are dry use the orbital sander and an 80-grit sandpaper to sand them smooth (figure F).

    PHOTO

    Figure G
    Installing the Soapstone Backsplash

    1. Dry fit the pieces to make sure they fit properly.

    2. Apply a liberal amount of silicone on the back of each backsplash piece.

    3. Press it to the wall (figure G).

    4. Let the epoxy and silicone dry before mineral oiling the soapstone to bring out its natural color.

    In the next segment the copper backsplash will be installed.


    RESOURCES :

    Stanley Tools Information
    Stanley Tools/Works
    Website: www.stanleyworks.com

    Fiskars (Bucket Boss Division)
    Fiskars Bucket Boss Division
    Website: www.bucketboss.com

    Makita Products
    Makita USA Inc.
    Website: www.makita.com

    Paslode Nail Guns
    Paslode
    Website: www.paslode.com

    3M Painter's Masking Tape and Sanding Pad
    The 3M Company
    Website: www.3m.com

    Soapstone Sink and Counter (Vermont Soapstone Co.)
    Sink Model: Wright
    Vermont Soapstone Co.
    Website: www.vermontsoapstone.com

    Copper Backsplash (Abbingdon Affilitates)
    Brand name: Prestplate
    Model #: 209
    Color: Solid copper
    AA Abbingdon Affiliates, Inc.
    Website: www.abbingdon.com

    Lighting, Switches and Switchplates (Rejunevation)

    Product: Three Forks Wall Bracket
    Model #: W880, with shade 139A
    Color: Mottled brass

    Product: Mt. Tabor Ceiling Fixture
    Model #: C229-3 with shade 139A
    Color: Mottled brass

    Product: Regular Single Push Button Switch
    Model #: 3706

    Product: Regular Push Button Dimmer Switch
    Model #: 5405

    Product: Coverplat4e for Single Push Button Switch
    Model #: 5700
    Color: Mottled brass

    Where available: Exclusively through Rejunevation, see contact information below.

    Rejuvenation
    Website: www.rejuvenation.com

    Dixmude, Wall-mount Faucet and Garbage Disposal Flange (Herbeau Creations)
    Faucet brand name: Herbeau
    Model #: 420459
    Color: Weathered copper / brass

    Garbage disposal flange brand name: Herbeau
    Model #: 451370
    Color: Weathered copper / brass
    Herbeau Creations
    Website: www.herbeau.com

    Antique-Styled All-Gas Range and Side-by-Side Refrigerator (Elmira Stove Works)
    Range model #: 1960
    Color: Black

    Refrigerator model #: 1897
    Color: Black
    Elmira Stove Works
    Website: www.elmirastoveworks.com

    Microwave (Haier America)
    Model #: HMOGR750B
    Color: Black
    Haier America
    Website: www.haieramerica.com


    GUESTS :

    Shane Kretsinger
    Vice President, Operations
    Autumn River
    We apologize no contact information is available.

    Tony Hall and Mike Hall
    Flooring Installers
    Floor Design
    2804 North Fairview
    Roseville, MN 55113
    Phone: 651-635-9924
    Website: www.floordesign.com

    Glenn Bowman
    President
    Vermont Soapstone
    PO Box 268
    Stoughton Pond Rd.
    Perkinsville, VT 05151
    Phone: 802-263-5404

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: