Photo and diagram attached. I’ve finished installing three 12″ square, Baltic Brown granite countertops in a kitchen and bar area. In order to conceal the substrate, I epoxied a 2″ x 12″ granite strip onto the front tiles of the counter edges.
Turns out the new dishwasher has control buttons on the top of the door and the granite strip makes the buttons inaccessible.
So, I’ve cut out a 1 3/4″ x 24″ section of the granite strip above the door with an angle grinder. Problem is, because of the ply substrate, I can’t insert my grinder blade far enough to complete and square up the intersecting horizontal and vertical cut lines.
Anybody think of a tool or good way to square up the corners and, what’s the best way (tool) to get the cut lines cleaned up and as straight as possible?
Thanks. Zbalk
Replies
Sorry. In reference to the previous post and diagram, 1- dishwasher 2&3- 3/4" ply substrate 4- 1/4" Hardieboard 5- granite tile 6- dishwasher door 7- 3/4" ply backing for tile strip 8- epoxied tile strip. Zbalk
Dremel with a diamond cutoff blade.
"And, in my humble view, neither Democratic nor Republican party politics has anything to do with lib or con anymore. It's now just pandering to the visceral hatred that's been bred amongst those who refuse to waste their time and energy performing one of the singular most difficult tasks known to man: thinking." -SHG
Compressed Air powered die grinder.
For NEXT time...
Drill your corners first (with desired radius), then cut your lines with the grinder.
Troy Sprout
Square, Level & Plumb Renovations
Make sure your grinder disk is matched to the speed of the tool. A buddy of mine had the wrong one in his machine (disk rated lower speed than the tool) and when it exploded, it went through his face shield and cost him three operations and about 300 stiches to his face. They cleaned up the blood with mechanics speedy dry because there was so much of it. when I looked into it, I found out this happens all the time.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Thanks Don. I'll think about that every time I pick up my grinder. What a wonderful way to start a day.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Eddie - I'm not a preacher, but when I heard about how many people get hurt with these things, and saw the results first hand, it stuck in my mind. If one of the pieces that hit my buddy would have gone up it would have gotten him in the eye, and if it would have gone down, probably the artery in the neck. It could have been worse. The small die grinders are among the worst, because everybody takes them for granted and slaps on whatever disk is handy. They typically run really fast, and the disks can't handle the speed. What makes it worse is that the grinder manufacturers often have removeable guards, or none at all, so when the shrapnel starts flying...they can be great tools, but if they aren't taken seriously, they can do some damage.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Did you check the dishwashers user manual??? I believe those controls only need to be accessed when the door is open.
Bigman, I agree with you. I recently bought a top of the line KitchenAid dishwasher with controls on the top. The idea is that you push the appropriate buttons to start the cycle prior to closing the door all the way. There's no need to cut into the countertop to expose the controls.
would the HO go for setting the dishwasher 1/2" forward, for better visibility of buttons?
Edited 11/8/2005 1:07 pm ET by msm
Maybe I'm missing something here but at first glance it looks like the buttons are on the front of that dishwasher door and two, even if they were on top of the door it looks like the cut out section only exposed the metal casing if you will that supports the washer. Leads me to think that the buttons can be accessed by opening the door no?
I suspect the new dishwasher is a Kitchenaid with controls mounted on top of the door. We just bought one too. The controls are not intended to be accessed once the cycle starts. You don't need to cut the counter front. (Sorry, I know that you already have.) Nonetheless, if the HO made you do it, you're not at fault.) Pic is attached.
Good luck with this.
Scott.
zbalk, listen very very carefully, please put down the die grinder and step away from the dishwasher before you hurt yourself (or someone else) you are in way way over your head, I tried to be nice about it, but you are an idiot the buttons are NOT supposed to be accessible when in use and by the way what are you going to secure the dishwasher to the counter top now that you have cut it away?????
Easy now. I wouldn't use the word 'idiot'. The installation manual is a poorly written generic document that doesn't distinguish between various models. Even the Use and Care manual is generic and doesn't address the issue of button access in any way. It would be easy to assume that this model needs different access. Hopefully the granite facia can be replaced or some other way to tidy it up.
Scott.
HANK!...grab the tube of 3/4" granite caulk out of the truck for me would ya? hehehe.
OMG, I still cant believe it, I hope this is your own house and not some poor, unsuspecting homeowner ROFLMAO
I've made worse mistakes than this. We all make mistakes. I recently messed up and forgot to use pressure treated wood as the bottom plate in a wall in a basement I was finishing. Oh well, live and learn.
I'm trying to come up with some advice on what to do at this point but I have no experience with granite countertops.
Take it easy ZB. Don't get your knickers in a wad because of some mis-placed criticism. Better to just ignore them.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I apologize for my comment, I couldn't help myself, believe me this will be put to good use. I don't think I can find a better example for my employees as to why they must first read and understand the instructions before working with a new product.
But I still don't understand how somebody with miles, all kinds of jobs, experience and years on me intended to put the 2 anti-tip screws in to prevent the end user from hurting themselves when you cut away the countertop they needed to be attached to, I guess you missed that in the instructions also.
And please remember, I did start out with constructive information, everybody else went off on tangents about Dremel tools and die grinders, without really looking at your problem.
"I have miles, all kinds of jobs, experience and years on you, but maybe not on this particular matter. "
How do U know?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Zbalk, you've got me intrigued. I don't normally comment on trim issues, but I think I could come up with something on this one.
I'm curious though, where are the controls that need accessing? I don't see any that unit. What is the brand/model? I wan't to be sure to avoid this model if I ever replace mine!
Do you intend to recess the substrate and insert a finished piece over it?
blue
At this point, the one choice that makes sense is to rip out the counter or section thereof and REPLACE it. When you screw up, MAKE IT RIGHT. It's not the mistake that separates the pros from the boys, its how you handle it that counts.
As has already been stated, there's no need to access those buttons with the door shut- if that was the case, the DW wouldn't work with any countertop installation unless is was held out very far (obviously not the case, based on the location of the mounting clips). I'd pop off the 2-3 granite strips on the edge that were cut, and re-install some new pieces- doing anything to "clean up" the notch you've made would result in a sloppy finished product that serves no purpose anyway.
Bob
By the way, though this is a tad off the subject....
What is the best way to install the anti-tip screws for a dishwasher into a granite countertop?
Reading this discussion, a light bulb suddenly went on and reminded me that I never installed those screws in my own dishwasher.
I assume a masonry bit and some epoxy? Any help?
A few of the granite fabricators around here actually narrow up the build-up strip at the DW location and epoxy a piece of plywood behind it for the screws to bite into. Just another detail that shows a sub is thinking about the other trades that follow him.
Bob
Thanks! I dont think my sub did that though. How about drilling a pilot and using a plastic anchor?
I'd be worried that the expansion of the plastic when you tighten the screw might crack the top- doubtful, but not worth the risk. In the past, when we didn't have the plywood strip, we'd epoxy short lengths of threaded rod into the top, and use a nut to secure the DW. Those mounting straps bend down easily to miss the rods, and then bend back up to lock to the underside of the top.
Bob
Thanks for the advice. I might try that.
You should be able to call the manufacturer, and order different clips for a granite install. They are made so you can screw the dishwasher into the cabinet(on each side of the DW) face frame. I'm pretty sure they are available for all models. I know for sure Sears, and Bosch are available.
Stacy's mom has got it going on.
Thanks dustin. I have heard of those clips. However, I think you have to take the dishwasher out and that's not an option for me as the install was extremely tight to begin with.
In reality the likelihood of the dishwasher completely tipping out of the opening is pretty much nonexistent. But, it does rock forward a bit when the top rack is open by iteself.
Thanks again for the info
This DIY homeowner did the same thing and ended with your problem. My solution? Return the Kitchenaid and purchase a more traditional model (GE) with side mount option.
The KitchenAid dishwasher should have the side mount option. I know the one that I just bought did. It came with the unit.