Ogee Edge Wood Countertops
November 5, 2012
We’ve finally turned our attention back to the hallway bathroom remodel that we started last spring with the vanity upgrade. We’ve lived without a sink and just a plywood top in here for 9 months while I went on the hunt for the right countertop and as a result the bathroom remodel came to a halt.
The main reason for the delay came down to choosing the right countertops and I needed two, one for the sink vanity (seen with plywood above) and another for the cabinet on the opposite wall. I had my heart set on solid surface marble or Caesarstone for a long time but all the estimates were extremely pricey ($1,400 and up!)
It came down to the decision to save up a lot of cash for marble or Caesarstone or just get ‘er done with wood countertops topped with a vessel sink for this hall guest bathroom . We chose wood, but I wanted a more polished edge beyond the the standard square edge that comes with slab wood countertops.
I did some research and learned that I could get a fancy ogee edge with a great power tool – a plunge router coupled with a specialty bit, so I ordered this router and this ogee bit online from True Value.
It arrived a week later (free shipping!) and I picked it up at my local True Value hardware store for this project.
Matt picked up two wood countertops at IKEA over the weekend and we got to work!
The bit has a self guiding part (a mini wheel attachment) that slides along the edge of the wood while the sharp edge of the bit cuts the detail on the wood. As long as you follow the instructions provided for the tool, it’s easy to give your wood countertop a carved edge with this power tool + bit combo.
This particular model plunge router does not come with a sawdust collector so the wood particles fly everywhere – it’s best to make these cuts outside and wearing safety goggles!
Make sure you cut on a steady surface – we used an old table we set up outside for stability and clamps attached to the table to hold the wood in place.
It takes just a few minutes to give a wood countertop a really nice detailed edge with this router tool and an ogee bit.
We borrowed a friend’s table saw to rip the edges of both countertops so the width and depth fit the measurements of our bathroom. The next step is sanding and staining, then adding several layers of protective varnish to make it waterproof.
I’m torn about the finish stain – weathered gray or classic dark ?
The cabinets will be painted white and the glass tile will be spa blue, so either finish will work. I’ll experiment with the various stains and report back with the results!
I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. My opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
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Tags: ikea hack, routed wood countertop, wood countertop with ogee edge
