Counter space is not over abundant in our U270, so I decided to add a sliding extension. I took a lot of pictures that hopefully will document what I did. I wanted put it above our kitchen drawers, but did not want to do a lot of mods to the existing structure. So a lot of what you will see is adapting my extension to fit within those parameters.
Len, picture shows an open top draw???
JohnH
This is a picture of what the stock cabinet looked like. I did not want to change too much of it, so I removed the top cross piece to find out what kind of room I had. The slide mechanism I chose was a Blum Blumotion 21inch slide with one hundred pound capacity
This is the counter after removing the top cross brace
The next step was figuring out what I would need to do to place the sliders in place and have sufficient bracing
After installing the slides I had to produce a sub structure for the Corian I would be putting on it
Once I had the base built and ready to install the Corian, I had to grit my teeth and make the first scary cut in that new to me material. Once I had that cut I built up the sides and smoothed them out
With the Corian attached, I needed to put a cross piece back in. This picture is of the first try. Turns out I needed to remove it and replace with a taller cross piece. That required me to shave down the drawer under it so everything would fit.
Once that was in place I needed a new faceplate to hide the new extension
After producing the faceplate I had to go in and round over the top and bottom edges of the Corian
The only thing I have left is to match the color of the faceplate, varnish it, and install the drawer locks that will hold it in place both while in and while extended. These pix show the extension in and out, and with a TX flag cutting board on it. My apologies to the moderators for stretching this out over so many posts, but I am just not very good at this.
Thanks for taking a look.
Len
Nice job and nice step by step write up.
Roland
yes Len nice job. Sorry I thought you had posted all the pics in your first post so reason I repied as I did. I was not aware you were doing it all in seperate posts.
Model # of sliders would be nice and photo if possible.
JohnH
Outstanding job. Very well thought through and excellent write up.
Jason
No problem John, I was having a hard time getting pix loaded and putting comments where they corresponded. That's why I took up so many posts to get it done.
The slides were Blum Blumotion Tandem 21". I got them on close out from WoodCraft. Total cost on the project were approx.
Slides: $22, Oak: $3, plywood: $5, glue, screws, misc.: $12, Corian: $20
Len,
How thick is that Corian?
Thanks,
Trent
Trent, the Corian is 1/4" thick. I picked it up at FOT last summer. You could do about the same thing by slabbing out some maple and have a nice full cutting board.
Hi Len
Very nice job for a much needed project.
OK, I now have to add this to my list of projects. The list grows daily.
b^.^d
Thanks for the write up. - Ric
Len, you beat me to it! I have been planning to do this very project for a couple of years now. I bought a countertop identical to what is in our coach while at FOT (as well as a bunch of oak cabinet doors and drawer fronts) and will make a new cooktop cover and counter extension out it. One question, was the original cross piece you removed glued as well as pocket screwed?
Thanks, Don
Don, the cross piece was only screwed. However, the varnish/finish they applied effectively had it glued. Took a few taps with a soft blow hammer to break it loose. Did FOT give you any idea what stain they apply to oak?
Len
Very nicely done! I just pull out the top drawer and lay a large cutting board on top of it. Works for me!!
Len,
Very nice!
Len, I didn't ask about the stain. Our coach doesn't have stain as far as I can tell. I just use something like Watco teak oil or Tung oil and the sheen and color come out looking enough like the original that it is well within the natural variations of color. I like the hand rubbed oil finish because it is very easy to touch up and maintain.
Don