When I got my coach, the counter-top cover for the stove burners was missing in the galley, and no replacements are available. So I purchased a large maple butcher-block from: Old World Butcher Block, Old World Butcher Block – John Boos Butcher Block: countertops, tables, islands (http://www.butcherblockspecialist.com). I cut it to size, and now have a pretty nice cutting board along with additional counter space. I was going to rout the edges and have it fit flush, but I kind of like it somewhat elevated from the rest of the counter top.
Gorgeous! I agree the raised level is nice, especially for clean up. If you're experienced with a router, putting a "juice ring" on one side/face can come in handy (can flip to the non-routed side if you don't need it) if you want to carve a small roast or chicken on the board. Steve put one in the cutting board sink topper he made me and I find it to be a nice feature.
Michelle
Hey Mikey you now have me thinking !!!! Good idea ^.^d ^.^d
Is it safe while travelling on rough roads or have you got some method of securing it?
I am going out to coach right now to see what I can do.
John H
Just so you might know, the tops are Corian, made by DuPont. You might get lucky with a local countershop having the same materials or something close that would look good to replace the missing parts.
I seem to recall that for some years, FT actually made their own countertop material (let's call it "Fore-ian"). Similar to Corian, but made in-house, and that's one reason it's so hard to find/match. Another issue being the exact router bit used for the edge profile.
Michelle
I have none missing just that it may look nice with a different top (for a change)
John h
I was thinking the same thing... except I don't need yet-another project right now. We're in the middle of putting down mosaic tile in the head, I have everything but the mounts for the solar panels, the TriMetric 2025 arrived, I just ordered a Progressive PT50C, and we are planning a trip next week.
Still... I have that nice new-to-me (thanks to craigslist) Craftsman table saw that is almost cabinet-saw quality. I really should do something with it. :P
Craig
Rodger and Carol Riggs replaced the stove cover with a butcher block. It looks great! We spent most of yesterday afternoon visiting with them in their coach. The view out the front window wasn't so good, but the company was great. The coach was parked in their garage!
I broke one of our Corian sink covers last year. I asked the folk at FOT to fix it last time we were there. I expected them to glue the old one back together along the clean fracture. Instead they fabricated a new one. It looks great! However, I probably should have made a cutting board as a replacement. D'oh! :facepalm: Maybe I can get Steve to demonstrate how to make a maple sink cover for our coach. :P
I was lucky in that my cuts were such that the fit is snug. I am going to rout the edges a quarter inch or so, but the block is heavy enough that I don't think it is going anywhere.
Mike
Looks great! Our cover is broken too. Thanks for the link to the butcher block supplier. We've been looking for a good source and you found it. We're thinking about the walnut version but really like your maple too.
why do not you make your own top? Cut a bunch of pieces about 3/4" thick the right length and glue them together and clamp with a good one then run it thru' a saw and sand it--simple!!
In fact mix the wood types and have a really interesting one!
John H
Correct Michelle,
FT always made their own molds, mixed and melted the raw materials, did their own pours and machined their own countertops and countertop accessories. That was always one of the selling points -- being able to have these parts replicated years after original manufacture. That part of the factory (located in the fiberglass layup and fabrication building, as I recall) always used to be on the factory tours, up through the 2004 or 2005 timeframe. I don't know about current production and I didn't see that on the 2011 tour, but then, I don't think that the fiberglass facility building is on the standard tour route any longer either.
FWIW,
Neal
I've heard FT's local supplier used to run their countertop shop. He's matched tops for our mods perfectly.
This is what I did when I broke mine. Made a cutting board like John was talking about and then router the edge so it set flat with the counter top. Added a little piece at the back to lock it into place to keep it from sliding of the counter. Being using it for 3 years works great.
Beautiful job, Jimmy. :)
Cindy