Using a router to profile granite edge?

[Bill Space]

Hi,

This may be an off the wall question, not sure...

I remember seeing a video where Jack Forsberg used a router to cut cast iron. Never would have thought to do that myself...but he got an excellent result!

So now I need to profile the edge of a couple small pieces of bathroom counter top, to duplicate the edge of the main piece. I can buy a carbide bit to accomplish this in wood, but wonder, if I took small passes, if I could accomplish the same thing with either granite or man-made material, using that same carbide bit.

So....... Anyone tried it and succeeded, or failed?

No need to tell me I am crazy for even considering such a thing. Already know that...

Bill

[David Hawxhurst]

typically granite shaping/profiling is done with water to cool the granite and tool. not sure what speed the tool they use is but its a reasonable guess that the tooling is carbide. water for cooling also adds in the reduction of dust. i would do more research on granite tools and techniques before i would try something like that. i personally would just have a shop do it.

for man made materials are you talking about about solid surface counter tops? i.e. corian then yes you can use a regular router and bits to profile the edges.

[Tom M King]

It will cost less to get a granite fabrication place to do it than to buy the tooling needed. I've had edges run on recycled pieces, and it wasn't too bad.

[Ole Anderson]

Diamond is typically used on stone, correct?

[Bruce Page]

This question comes up on the CNC forums once in awhile. The consensus is always to take the piece to a commercial stone cutting shop, or you'll end up sending hot carbide shrapnel flying around the shop.

[Bill Space]

Great input so far!

I keep returning to Jack Forsberg in my mind though...but I am not sure how cast iron compares to granite. When I said man-made I was referring to Quartz, which I think is a man-made material when counter tops are the subject.

I only only need to do this for less than six lineal inches. Would be nice to hear from someone who did it, either successfully or with catastrophic results I don't think such a small amount would be cost-effective having a specialty shop do it for me.

The second option is to use wood transition pieces. In any event I suppose I should make those pieces in advance should I decide to try using the router bit on the stone material itself.


Bill

[Erik Loza]

Diamond is typically used on stone, correct?

One of my colleagues came from the granite/stone industry and told me it's all diamond, with water spray.

Erik

[Gerry Grzadzinski]

After a quick search, you can buy diamond roundover bits that fit an angle grinder on Amazon for around $75-$125.

You can also buy a water cooling adapter for the angle grinder.

[Jim Becker]

If it were soapstone, not a problem. But granite requires very special tooling. Get a pro to edge it for you. Faster and likely much less expensive. And safer.

[mreza Salav]

Great input so far!

I keep returning to Jack Forsberg in my mind though...but I am not sure how cast iron compares to granite. When I said man-made I was referring to Quartz, which I think is a man-made material when counter tops are the subject.

I only only need to do this for less than six lineal inches. Would be nice to hear from someone who did it, either successfully or with catastrophic results I don't think such a small amount would be cost-effective having a specialty shop do it for me.

The second option is to use wood transition pieces. In any event I suppose I should make those pieces in advance should I decide to try using the router bit on the stone material itself.


Bill

Cast Iron is a LOT softer than stone (and granite in particular).
I have worked with marble in my woodworking shop (only creating a very small micro-bevel on the edge of some marble tiles on my edge sander) but I'd never even attempt to use any woodworking cutting tool on granite.

[Jamie Buxton]

Fairly often I see countertop guys cutting the hole for a drop-in sink, using an angle grinder without water. I think they're using just a cheap masonry wheel. Usually one guy cuts, and another guy holds a shop vac to pick up the dust. So that would argue that one could grind a roundover on 6" worth of granite for a couple bucks worth of abrasive wheel. Wouldn't hurt to try. Dunno about polishing the roundover to the sheen of the top of the slab.

[Joe Jensen]

water to cool the stone and cutter or you will chip and crack the stone. The sink cutouts for drop in sinks are VERY roughly done and it's done with a diamond wheel in the angle grinder and again water.

[Jerry Miner]

I never considered using a router on granite, but I searched the web a little for "diamond router bits" and found this (among other things):

Diamond router Bit 3-15-16.jpg

$16.24 from Walmart

[Bill Space]

Interesting Jerry!

Overnight I concluded it would be wise to give up on this idea, but a diamond bit like you found could be the solution.

If I do end up trying something I will be sure to report back. At this point not sure what I will finally end up doing...

Bill

[roger wiegand]

The granite fabricators I've watched work use ordinary routers to profile their edges (with a water spray and diamond cutters), so no reason it won't work for you. A bit that will hold up to any amount of work may cost a tad more than $16.24 from the WallyMart.