One of the last things I need to do in a kitchen re-model is to install a pullouy keyboard tray on the underside of Silestone counter. I don’t think drilling the Silestone is a good idea. So I am looking for an alternative. I am thinking of trying an adhesive like 3M 5200, but I am worried about it actually staying attached, and I also want to be able to remove it if necessary.
Has anyone done something like this on Silestone or Granite?
Jeff
Replies
I'd probably use epoxy. And if the surface area of the thingy being attached seems insufficient for the wieght of it, then I'd probably use epoxy to attach a chunk of wood -- then screw the thingy to the wood.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Look up the industrial versions of double-stick tape. Some of the better made by 3M and having a strength around 60 pounds per lineal inch. IMO plenty for a keyboard as long as they keep their lovemaking in the conventional locations.
Once attached it can be removed by running a piece of music wire through it sideways and removing the adhesive with solvents. If you use solvents be careful around the Silestone as some might cause damage.
2 Options
a) Any solid surface distributor sell special brass bushings/ anchors just for this purpose. The kit comes with bushings and the apropriate screws. There are various sizes.
2) GE Silicones are incredible! The SCS1001 series is used for some pretty extreme applications. Web Page is:
http://www.gesilicones.com/NASApp/siliconeselector/SSearchResultsFrame?hdnPole=4&familyid=152
The silicone is probable the easiest to use however it may be dificult to find. Try an industrial building supplier. The big boxes do not carry it.
Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
I'd suggest you first call the fabricator you obtained the Silestone from and ask their advice.
That said, drilling silestone is no big deal, we drill it for faucet holes on site using diamond core bits and regular masonry bits for mounting dishwashers. Just make sure you do not have the drill set to hammer.
For the dishwashers we use plastic hollow wall anchors. Not sure if they would have enough pull out resistance for a keyboard tray?
Thanks for the advice, I'll look into the GE silicones. I run a marina, and I think we might actually have that in stock (that's why I came up with the 5200 idea). Any idea how the GE product is when it comes time to remove it? My apprehension with 5200 is that when you stick it, it is stuck forever.
I thought drilling and anchors would be difficult. I'm afraid of cracking the counter. But, I guess I might possibly find the correct bit to get an anchor set.
Going back to the fabricator is probably out of the question. The fabricator was nearly impossible to deal with on the initial install. It took them five trips and three weeks to get it right, once they started installing. There were pieces that were cut wrong in the shop, and they broke a few pieces when they were cutting for receptacle boxes.They even had problems making the space for the stove the proper size. There are still minor problems with it, but they wore me down. I haven't ruled it totally out, but I am going to run out of possibilities on my own first.
Thanks again.
Jeff
Edited 9/25/2005 8:02 pm ET by jtandrews
You have any silestone scrap?
I'd try the plastic anchors set in epoxy.
If you don't have any scrap, I have some I could test for you
Unfortunately, I do not have any scrap. I should have saved one of the three broken splashes that they took out of here, but they were sure not to leave anything behind.
No need to test the drilling method though. I watched as they cut faucet holes without much care. So drilling should be fine. I just need to find the proper bit.
I am warming up to this idea the more I think about it. The epoxy is also appealing.
Thanks.
Jeff
a plain jane masonry bit will work just fine
This is from the DuPont Zodiaq (same stuff as Silestone) fabrication and installation manual, February 2001:
Do not ridgidly adhere Zodiaq to other products. Use only flexible adhesive to adhere Zodiaq to wood, steel ceramic tile, etc.
Never install mechanical fasteners (screws, nails etc.) directly into Zodiaq. Inserts may be used with Zodiaq. If inserts are to be used, slip fit and glue inserts are required rather than pressure fit inserts.
Hope you find this helpful.
Thanks for the input. The installer used flexible adhesives for the most part, but he also used a lot of epoxy during the process. Because it cures so quickly, it was used to hold things in place until the silicone cured. They also used it to fix a tiny crack in a backsplash that was caused be cutting it too close to the face.
Thanks again.
Jeff