Cutting Up The Hi-Macs, DIY-style

The new-to-us range that I bought from the Habitat Restore is larger than our current slide-in range, which means the counter tops have to be cut. I knew this was coming - when we had the LG hi-macs installed, they told us that the range we had was 27" and the standard size is 30" for a slide-in range. The installers said to call them back when I got a new stove and they would cut the counter tops for me. Perfect...until they quoted me $100. Yikes! It was time to cut the counter tops ourselves.

My only worry about DIY- cutting the solid surface hi-macs was the warranty. So I called Lowe's (where we bought them from) and asked about the warranty - and to my surprise, cutting the counter tops for the range wouldn't void the warranty. But, if we messed up and cut wrong, the warranty wouldn't cover it. No pressure, right?! So what does a girl do? Call her dad. And he gladly agreed to help and bring his rotozip (which is an amazing tool, and I think I need one).

Now for the fun part - actually cutting the solid surface counter tops. The tool of choice is a rotozip with a sc5 bit. First we measured and marked the cut lines. And then we measured again. And once more for good measure, pun intended. I say we, but these are obviously not my hands, they are dad's:

Then we lined up the square to use as a cut-line guide. (Actually, dad lined up the square. I was moral support.) And secured the square with tape and clamps.

The bit of the rotozip is one inch from the outside cage/protector-thing. So the square is lined up one inch away from the cut line. Look closely, you can barely see the pencil mark in the photo above. Then the rotozip can be ran along the square to ensure that the cut line is straight and staying on track. Like so:

I suggest watching the video without sound...it is loud since the rotozip is on. The rotozip will eat through the solid surface easily and spit out tons of white dust/confetti-like pieces.

Dad ran the rotozip down the length of the square. When he got to the end, we moved the square and then secured it with tape. We continued around the perimeter - he working the rotozip, and me holding the square and blowing away the white dust - until the counter tops were cut.

Then it was time to bring in the new range and watch my electrician hubby work. Side note - I just noticed that you can see the old hardwood color where he is sitting, and then the new dark walnut color in the top left. I hope no one ever pulls out the range because I didn't refinish the hardwood under the range.

After he worked his magic on the out-of-code wiring and hooked up the range, I jumped for joy and gave everyone hugs. I am so excited about the new range and love how it updates the kitchen...all for 225 bucks! Money well spent.

Here is a side-by-side of the old and new ranges:



Three cheers to the Habitat Restore! And three cheers to my dad! I'm not planning on cutting any more on the counter tops...but now I know how-to just in case. Have you cut on your counter tops? Do you need a rotozip too?