What is the best way to cut real wood work surfaces?

“I’m planning out my kitchen and am going to order some wood worktops from you, but I would like to make the alterations myself if possible. What tools do you recommend for cutting and shaping hardwood?”

If you have previous experience using power tools, then cutting real wood work surfaces can be a relatively simple affair with the right equipment. In our fabrication centre, the team use some very sophisticated machinery to fabricate bespoke worktops to exacting standards, but smaller home DIY alternatives are available.

Routers

For cutting worktops into almost any shape, a router is the ideal tool. It can also be used to add special edge profiles to worktops, and other features such as drainage or hotrod grooves. A quality router for cutting hardwood will cost approximately £150 for a 900w model.

Circular Saws

If you simply want to make straight cuts into a worktop to cut them down to size, a circular saw is the most efficient tool for the job. A powerful enough circular saw with at least a 140mm cutting disc will cost anywhere from around £100 upwards.

Drill & Holesaw

If you’d like to cut holes into your worktop for taps or other pipes, a drill and holesaw is the best method. You will need a powerful drill that can be run at a low speed so as not to burn or discolour the wood. Some cordless drills may be capable of doing the job, but a mains-powered drill is often the best option; these usually cost in the region of £90. Along with the drill, you will need to purchase a separate holesaw of a suitable diameter. They cost around £6 – £10 individually or are available in sets for around £35 and up.

In addition to these tools, you will need sufficient protective equipment, including a mask and protective glasses, to ensure that you can work safely.

Do consider that our fabrication team can make any adjustments – no matter how intricate – to your worktops before delivery, allowing them to be installed straight away with minimal fuss; services start at just £5 depending on your requirements. Visit our Bespoke Cutting Service page to see the standard range of fabrication services we offer, or try out our Online Bespoke Worktop Tool, where you can submit fabrication designs to our team electronically.

If you’d like to talk further about the fabrication options available, please do get in touch with one of our customer advisers. Otherwise, I hope I’ve been able to answer your queries regarding the tools that are most suitable for your needs.