Worktop "clamps" for thinner kitchen worktop?

julianf · 2 Apr 2018

Im installing this in our own kitchen -

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Solid-W ... m/p/193142

I went over to screwfix and picked up a pack of these but took them back again -

https://www.screwfix.com/p/worktop-clam ... pack/15295

...because they just seemed too deep for the worktop. Either id have a load of the clamp hanging out the bottom of the worktop, or id have to mill so deep as to, i think, weaken the job.

Unfortunatly i did not measure the screwfix ones, but i just know im going to need somthing a bit less brutal.

My plan was to add biscuits for stopping movement in one plane, and the clamps for the other plane.

Ive never done kitchen worktop before, so this may not be the best plan, but it seems like a good idea to me?

dzj · 3 Apr 2018

Those are for particle board worktops, hence the length.
I don't see any problem if you use them on a laminate top.
You could use a zip bolt, they come in different sizes,
or get a shorter carriage bolt if you feel uneasy about the 150mm length.

ED65 · 3 Apr 2018

julianf":ddcb21pg said:
My plan was to add biscuits for stopping movement in one plane, and the clamps for the other plane.

Ive never done kitchen worktop before, so this may not be the best plan, but it seems like a good idea to me?

Not sure what joins you're doing but are you taking into account the natural movement the wood should have? If you prevent natural expansion and contraction the wood can distort or crack elsewhere to relieve the tension.

Doug71 · 3 Apr 2018

Zipbolt do these for thinner worktops but they state thinner then yours.

https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/pro ... 800-599831

The normal ones generally need a recess about 18mm deep which does only leave 10mm.

I would ask Wickes what they recommend.

Doug

nev · 3 Apr 2018

At the risk of being a prat, you do realise they go in with the 'ears' horizontally?
I think you are worrying about nothing unless they are almost as wide as the worktop is thick.
Even if there is only a 10mm thickness above the 'ear' hole where is your perceived weakness? Its only 2 or 3 holes and the forces are applied horizontally through the timber along the length of the bolt. Also they're only to hold the two edges together , they're not taking any strain in any direction.

julianf · 3 Apr 2018

Thank you all for the comments.

I wish I had have measured the depth of the "nuts" on the screwfix ones now.

I realise they go in horizontally, I just looked at them and thought they looked much too large. I think they were close on 20mm, and, if I put them centrally in a 28mm thickness, that only leaves 4mm on a item that, who knows, may get whacked with the end of a rolling pin smashing up biscuits? I mean ideally not, but you see what I mean?