Drilling/cutting "cast stone"

Nov 13, 2017 2 Replies
T

You know , the stuff they make vanity tops out of . I have a slab that we're using for a vanity top , it needs 2 holes . One small , around 1



1/2 inches for the faucet , another around 6"-8" diameter for the drain plumbing . This sink is not set into the counter top but sits on top . I'm modifying an old dresser/vanity type piece of furniture to use as a bathroom vanity cabinet , the top drawer will be modified for plumbing clearance . I only have 8" from the top of the counter top to the top of the bottom drawer for the p-trap , hopefully I'll be able to use it (the bottom drawer) without modification . I have drills and hole saws , but I'm not sure if my steel cutters are up to the task . I do have a diamond hole saw for tile , not sure if it's the right size for the faucet hole though . I also have carbide router bits , but only with
1/4" shank . From looking at a broken piece of this , it appears to have a mineral filler in probably a polyester resin . Got a sparkly look to it in the light .
  --
  Snag
Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
I

replying to Terry Coombs, Iggy wrote: Only 2 methods I know of and tried for a hole that small and both require Diamond Coatings and a grinder. In your case with such a small hole, you'll need as small a grinder blade as you can find. I really don't think the Router will work here and I don't suspect its carbide bits will last more than a few seconds.

1st, is to drill the sink outline with holes spaced a maximum of every 1/2-inch. Then, the grinder would be used to cut out and smooth the edge. 2nd and your best bet, is to cut pie slices or a spider-web of straight cuts in your hole. Then, cut the slices or web out with a light twist at the sink outline. Here's a good example - "Granite Countertop Sink cutout and polish"
formatting link

Cultured marble, like any masonry product, is very brittle. So, a rectangular hole (if applicable) must have rounded corners. Also, no sink edge should be any closer than 3-inches to the slab edge, the more slab the better.

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
D

So your question would be, "How do I drill it?"? The nswer is, use anything. Your assessment of its composition is probably correct and polyester resin drills/cuts easily. The filler is probably talc and/or calcium carbonate, the sparkly is likely muscovite. All are soft.

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required