Patching hole in counter top

[Ambrosia]

I need to patch this hole in a counter top. The material is laminate over 1/2” ply.

I have enough material from another cut-out in the same counter top to make an insert - but I have no idea how to make a neat and accurate opening to fit a suitable patch. I have a reasonably complete set of power and hand tools.

Thanks in advance,
LM

 

[rizzoa13]

I need to patch this hole in a counter top. The material is laminate over 1/2” ply.

I have enough material from another cut-out in the same counter top to make an insert - but I have no idea how to make a neat and accurate opening to fit a suitable patch. I have a reasonably complete set of power and hand tools.

Thanks in advance,
LM

Plunge router and templates to cut the hole and Dutchman patch.

 

[Gregor]

Plunge router and templates to cut the hole and Dutchman patch.

Plunge router might be difficult as it looks to be in a corner, so unless the (whatever it might be what's in the way) can be removed to have working space it'll be tricky.

Does it need to be the same material/color, how visible can the result be?
Because one option could be to clean up the upper edge, roughly closing the hole (so it's tight with a shallow pit) and pour a new surface with colored epoxy...

Other option could be to install an outlet or USB charging point, to hide the hole.

 

[rizzoa13]

Don't think a router is going to fit in that tight corner. Probably need to go with an oscillating tool to make a better hole, add bracing from underneath for the dutchman to glue to from topside and screw to from underside.

Very good point that i overlooked . Put a coffee maker over it.

 

[peter halle]

Forget it.  It will never look right no matter what you do.  Plastic laminate is relatively cheap and easy to install.

You can remove the existing laminate using a heat gun to softened the adhesive and then move forward after doing whatever to patch the hole.

Peter

 

[Holzhacker]

Having had to do this in the past and tried, I have to agree it will never look good no matter how Norm Abrahms you are about it. I wouldn't even consider patching it.
Turn it into a detail. Put a receptacle in the opening, a wood napkin holder, a cable port, a soap dispenser, who knows. Ask the client what they wish they had in the kitchen as a helpful item and figure out how to incorporate it in the hole.

 

[Ambrosia]

Thanks for the replies. I had more or less given up on repairing it as I didn’t think I couldn’t do it without making a mess. Actually, it’s the galley on my boat and I completely forgot about it until I moved the coffee maker to clean it after many, many years of it nicely covering the hole.

Taking the laminate up would be a major project since there is a lot of trim and other furniture installed after and over the laminate.

Will have to think of a feature. Flower pot?

LM

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[antss]

How about one of these ?
https://www.mockett.com/grommets-wire-management/air-vent-grilles/wood/lwavg-s4.html

 

[Cheese]

How about one of these ?
https://www.mockett.com/grommets-wire-management/air-vent-grilles/wood/lwavg-s4.html

I like that idea a lot  [thumbs up] and then just stain to blend in.

 

[Peter_C]

What about a drop in, think pencil type holder? An overall picture would be helpful. Is that a cabinet in the back?

 

[hopper]

What about making a cutting board that would be bigger than the hole but would have a cleat on the bottom to fit in the hole to keep it in place.

 

[kevinculle]

Come on guys...now we know it's on a boat!  Fabricate an insert to drop into the hole,  The inside of the insert will be just a bit larger than the OD of your favorite spirits bottle.  You can then clean up the existing hole with an oscillating tool to match the outside dimensions of the insert.  A lip on the top of the insert will cover the edge of the cleaned up hole.  The depth will need to be determined based on what is under the hole, but the idea would be to make it deep enough that your favorite spirits bottle will be securely held in the roughest seas maneuvering.  Now it's a feature, not an eyesore!

 

[antss]

Going to be pretty difficult making a round hole precisely in that spot.

If Patron is your tipple of choice, then that idea could work.

 

[greg mann]

Yup, spirits in square bottles only. Shouldn't cramp your style much.

 

[RussellS]

Yup, spirits in square bottles only. Shouldn't cramp your style much.

Round bottles fit very well inside square holes.  You can draw a perfectly round shape inside a square and have the round edges hit the exact center of all four sides of the square.  Only the tips of the square are left open.  That is not bad.

 

[antss]

unless you have OCD    [wink]

 

[Sparktrician]

Get some nice teak, cut it to cover, edge it, then pop a hole in it for the beer tap.  Problem solved; even looks nautical.  Call it a thirst aid station.

Thenkya!  Thenkyallvurramuch!!!  [big grin]

 

[greg mann]

Yup, spirits in square bottles only. Shouldn't cramp your style much.

Round bottles fit very well inside square holes.  You can draw a perfectly round shape inside a square and have the round edges hit the exact center of all four sides of the square.  Only the tips of the square are left open.  That is not bad.

That thought crossed my mind but wasn’t sure if the diameter of the round bottle might be larger than a square across the flats. (Can’t believe I am writing this trivial post  :). I had visions of the OP heading to the local liquor store with calipers in hand.

 

[kevinculle]

Yup, spirits in square bottles only. Shouldn't cramp your style much.

Round bottles fit very well inside square holes.  You can draw a perfectly round shape inside a square and have the round edges hit the exact center of all four sides of the square.  Only the tips of the square are left open.  That is not bad.

That thought crossed my mind but wasn’t sure if the diameter of the round bottle might be larger than a square across the flats. (Can’t believe I am writing this trivial post  :). I had visions of the OP heading to the local liquor store with calipers in hand.

He's a boater...he already has at least one of each of his favorite bottles at home and another one on the boat!

 

[Roseland]

I had some corner fillets made by Shapeways that fit in the inside corners of Festool’s MFS.  Using an 8mm cutter and 40mm and 24mm guide bushes you can cut out a (rounded corner) rectangle and exactly matching insert.  It works well.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/4JYXYGXHK/router-guide-fillet?optionId=43337588&li=marketplace
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/the-dutchman-again-(still-not-the-song)/msg474109/#msg474109

Peter Parfitt also mentioned them in his video review of the MFS.

I hope it works for you.

Andrew