Paperstone material

[ElCabong]

Has anyone had any experience using Paperstone materials? Building a desk and looking at this material for the top. According to the manufacturer it supposed to be easy to work with and it's like wood.  My concern is using my TS55REQ. Would I need a different blade or could I use the standard blade it comes with without ruining it?  Thanks!

 

[dbworkshop]

I just finished up remodeling my kitchen and used paperstone for the counters. We used the gunmetal color. It is actually made with recycled office paper, so when sanded it takes on a mottled appearance, somewhere between cast concrete and soapstone. I ordered an old sheet that they refaced (saved ~$500 on a 5'x10' sheet).  Be fore warned, it is very heavy. My local lumber baron was gracious enough to allow me to have it delivered to his yard. The only tools needed were the TS75 (with the stock blade) and the ETS150/3.  After lots of sanding (my 5yr old daughter thought it was great when she got to sand down the counter using the ETS. Wonderfully balanced unit...) and a few coats of finish, it is beautiful.

Cycle forward a few months.... It is soft and will scratch fairly easily. We made the mistake (only once) of putting a paper grocery bag on it and sliding it. Tiny little scratches. It wouldn't take much to sand/buff them out, but our kids are still young and that's the least of my worries.  That said, I would not use a different product.    When we prep it (polish it with a beeswax solution) for guests, everyone is in love with it. It has a great look and feel that I have not found in other products. 

**disclaimer - I have 15 years experience as a builder, have formal training in cabinetmaking and a BS in architecture. I have been known to be a little picky when it comes to materials

Sorry I can't really answer your question about the blade or the saw. I own both saws and use each of them for the tasks that they are best suited for. Worst case is you would need a new blade and have to have the old one sharpened

Dan

 

[Wooden Skye]

I just finished up remodeling my kitchen and used paperstone for the counters. We used the gunmetal color. It is actually made with recycled office paper, so when sanded it takes on a mottled appearance, somewhere between cast concrete and soapstone. I ordered an old sheet that they refaced (saved ~$500 on a 5'x10' sheet).  Be fore warned, it is very heavy. My local lumber baron was gracious enough to allow me to have it delivered to his yard. The only tools needed were the TS75 (with the stock blade) and the ETS150/3.  After lots of sanding (my 5yr old daughter thought it was great when she got to sand down the counter using the ETS. Wonderfully balanced unit...) and a few coats of finish, it is beautiful.

Cycle forward a few months.... It is soft and will scratch fairly easily. We made the mistake (only once) of putting a paper grocery bag on it and sliding it. Tiny little scratches. It wouldn't take much to sand/buff them out, but our kids are still young and that's the least of my worries.  That said, I would not use a different product.    When we prep it (polish it with a beeswax solution) for guests, everyone is in love with it. It has a great look and feel that I have not found in other products. 

**disclaimer - I have 15 years experience as a builder, have formal training in cabinetmaking and a BS in architecture. I have been known to be a little picky when it comes to materials

Sorry I can't really answer your question about the blade or the saw. I own both saws and use each of them for the tasks that they are best suited for. Worst case is you would need a new blade and have to have the old one sharpened

Dan

Dan can you post a picture off what your counter looks like?

Thanks
Bryan

 

[dbworkshop]

1- everyday
2- quick polish
3- in situ (don't mind my mess, or lack of cabinet doors....)

I used a piece of 3/8 for the back splash.

Dan

 

[Wooden Skye]

Thanks.  Looks nice.

I know you mentioned you got a deal, but how does price compare to granite or quartz?

 

[Holzhacker]

Put Paperstone countertops in my kitchen 5-6 years ago. Has held up very nicely no issues. I've recoated it once since. Product glued and seamed well. Countertop around sink area gets a fair amount of water with no problems. It will scratch not too easily but readily enough from knives or blenders being dragged across.
At that time it was a bit more expensive than granite. I think the pricing has come down a bit from what I hear. Granite is fairly cheap here in the big City due to volume. I don't like granite and won't put it in my house. I chose Icestone (recycled glass and concrete) for the island that also has a sink. I figured the island was going to get a lot of hard use.
As far as heavy thats putting it mildly, its ball busting heavy. The paperstone is a nice product with a good warm feel to it. I have no problem recommending it.

 

[ElCabong]

Thank you Dan for your reply. Your counters look fantastic. Just to clarify, you used your TS75 with the standard blade. Any problems cutting the Paperstone? No major strain on the motor or did just cut like a hardwood ( oak or walnut)?  Also, may I ask what was the thickness of the Paperstone you used? I am thinking about going with 1/2" material and then cutting a one inch strip and then domino and glue that piece to create a bull nose edge.  Thank you..

 

[tbellemare]

Put Paperstone countertops in my kitchen 5-6 years ago. Has held up very nicely no issues. I've recoated it once since. Product glued and seamed well. Countertop around sink area gets a fair amount of water with no problems. It will scratch not too easily but readily enough from knives or blenders being dragged across.
At that time it was a bit more expensive than granite. I think the pricing has come down a bit from what I hear. Granite is fairly cheap here in the big City due to volume. I don't like granite and won't put it in my house. I chose Icestone (recycled glass and concrete) for the island that also has a sink. I figured the island was going to get a lot of hard use.
As far as heavy thats putting it mildly, its ball busting heavy. The paperstone is a nice product with a good warm feel to it. I have no problem recommending it.

I'm curious what you don't like about granite. I have granite countertops and bar tops and am quite fond of them. Is there something I should know?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Holzhacker]

No Tom nothing to worry about. It's just that I've never liked the 'cold, hard' feel of granite. Obviously there is a lot of beautiful granite out there.
Beyond that, I have my professional prejudice. I used to fabricate and install formica and corian tops years ago. How do you think that work went once the granite boom hit?
Markus

 

[wow]

I ordered an old sheet that they refaced (saved ~$500 on a 5'x10' sheet).  Dan

Holy crap!!! If you SAVED $500 on a sheet, how expensive is a sheet of that stuff?!!!

 

[tbellemare]

I was talking to a solid surface guru the other day and he said that most of the granite for countertops had very little human intervention. That the process was largely automated using water jet machines.

I can certainly understand your professional prejudice, Markus...

Tom

 

[dbworkshop]

I think it was around $38sqft. I pitched from the greencountertops website. They have pages of remnants that you can pick up if you only have a few small areas to do.

Cost was not one of our considerations. Granite is way over done in my opinion and I'm with you Markus, it has a cold feel. Paperstone has a very unique texture, almost suede like.

We used the 1 1/4" material. You would most likely have no problem laminating two pieces together.  When using the TS75, I just took it very slow.  The saw was more than capable at handling the load.

Dan