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Topic: Kitchen Counter-top Mod (Read 1122 times) previous topic - next topic

Kitchen Counter-top Mod

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.  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.
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #1 –
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
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #2 –
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #3 –
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.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb –
Just so you might know, the tops are Corian, made by DuPont. 

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
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #5 –
I have none missing just that it may look nice with a different top (for a change)
John h
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #6 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
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
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #7 –
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
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #8 –
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
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #9 –
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.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #10 –
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
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
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
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #12 –
I've heard FT's local supplier used to run their countertop shop.  He's matched tops for our mods perfectly.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #13 –
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.
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: Kitchen Counter-top Mod

Reply #14 –
Beautiful job, Jimmy. :)
Cindy
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Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"