Replies

1. 
   DJK | Mar 08, 2007 05:19am | #1

   I'm a Silestone dealer and that's a new one on me. I would think it will transmit any and all vibration. I'll call the fab shop and ask about the cutout for a router plate. Sink and cooktop cutouts can be had for nothing, just pay for the hole cut and the edge polishing at $12 a lin/foot. Maybe another money making venture?

   DJK

1. 
   joeBleau | Mar 08, 2007 06:11pm | #2

   Definitely, let's do a prototype.  I wonder why you think vibration would be a problem.  Why would it be more than cast iron which would be considered ideal for this application?  I am talking about the 1 1/8" (30 mm) stuff.  One would have to come up with a plate to fit into the silestone cutout and it would have to be adaptable to many routers if you were going to market the thing.  The plate would have to be of the same quality as the silestone, perhaps 1/2" steel.  I think the idea would be to market it as a top-of-the-line router table top.  One outfit already makes a cast-iron table top and they get top bucks for it.  Don't know what their sales are but if you could get cutouts for nothing and only had to do the machine it seems the manufacturing costs will be minimal.

   Please keep me informed as I am going to try to have one made if you do not come up with anything.  Incidentally, I am a retired magazine publisher and am not looking for anything for myself other than a RT top.  But you might have a lot of fun and make a few bucks if you pursue this idea.

   Joe

    

    

1. 
   hammer1 | Mar 08, 2007 06:59pm | #3

   Don't forget, you will have to attach a fence, perhaps cut in miter bar ways and need to clamp or otherwise fasten jigs and accessories. I'm not sure how Silestone will stand up to a firm clamp, it might fracture. When we install man made sinks, over tightening the plumbing drains and fixtures can cause fractures. A hard surface on a router table would not be of use to me. I use too many jigs and fixtures that often just get screwed to the top. I put on a lot of pressure when I use clamps. I don't want anything vibrating loose or moving.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   joeBleau | Mar 08, 2007 09:44pm | #4

   Well, I just finished reading a post from a guy in rec.woodworking who has just had one made.  He's been using it for about a week and was raving about how he loved it.

   As for miter slots I do not want one and most experienced router people share my opinion.  You can do the same thing with a sled that rides on the edges.  As for clamping the fence:  This is done by a type of comression clamp which is attached to the end of the fence and clamps the fence to the table top.  Most dedicated router books have instructions for making these clamps. I do not thinking clamping would be a problem unless you bear down on something with, say a 10" C clamp.

   Just remember, Hammer1, there a million reasons why anything can not be done.  If you want to do something do not listen to those who say that it can not be done.  This is the first rule of success.

   The fellow who is using one is proof that it can be done.

    

1. 
   hammer1 | Mar 09, 2007 07:42am | #5

   I wasn't trying to rain on your parade, Joe. Just pointing out some issues with the product that would have undesirable properties for what I do.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   DJK | Mar 19, 2007 05:24pm | #8

   Spoke with the fab shop. They consider it small stuff and don't want to do it. This stuff weighs 14lbs. per sq. foot. Shipping would be expensive. I'm going to pass on it.DJK

2. 
   kenshep | Mar 09, 2007 10:15pm | #6

   Hi Joe,

     Sounds like an interesting idea.  I just de-installed and am adapting some sablestone (corian) counter tops at another location.  I've done a bit of reading about it to prep for the cutting and reassembly for the new countertop configuration.  I'll have some pieces left over.  A few bits of info, Corian recommends a carbide spiral down cutting bit for edge treatment.  I bought the 2 inch one since the edges of the counters have been fabricated at 1.5 inches.  I rough cut the counters with a carbide circ saw blade.  That worked ok, but very dusty.  I got some seam adhesive from art specialties in LA.  You can get small quantities of seam sealer from them to.
     Most corian tops are 3/4 inch.  You can thicken them with 3/4 plywood if you want.  To get the thick looking edge a strip of corian is attached.  Tensile strength is not very good.  The material is very hard, but it is brittle.  When I was moving the counter top with the sink cutout in it, the three inch wide piece broke.  One of the guys on breaktime mentioned that corian is basically the same material used as inserts in bullet proof vests.  He claimed 3/4 inches of the stuff would stop a .357.  Don't have one and won't be testing this theory.  Might have my neighbor in the hunt club do so.

     As part of my research, I reviewed postings on Breaktime.  Several guys mentioned that screwing into the materials was not recommended (mostly because it voided the warranty from Corian).  I believe if you glued a strip of corian below the miter slot (i know you don't want one), and overlapped it an inch or so on each side, you could have a very strong table.  Also, you can sand out the scratches when you want.
     You could also create slots on the apron of your table to receive the sliding table you mentioned.  A lot of installers like to do inlays of different colored corian and they rout out a groove and glue in strips.
     I wonder how this would work for a router base.  I have some half inch that I'll try that idea with.  I want a base with square edges.

     I am interested in the results, let me now how it works out.

    

   Regards,

   Ken

   "Do as you would be done by." C.S. Lewis

1. 
   joeBleau | Mar 10, 2007 03:07am | #7

   I think you are confusing Corian with Silestone.  Silestone is made of quartz with a resin binder.  It is much, much harder than Corian.  Silestone requires the same tooling as marble and granite.  It can not be worked with woodworking machinery.

   I don't know what sort of router table top Corian would make.  You might do some web searches or perhaps there is someone in this group who already has a Corian RT top and will oblige us by posting his opinions and technique.

    

   Joe

3. 
   Silerstoner | May 03, 2012 04:33am | #9

   Try out this guys they custom cutting http://www.naturstein-profi.com/ Give them a call and see what they say 

   they are mostly working for german area but also speak perfect english so you will be able to communicate normally