Fitting a kitchen worktop

[jakesi]

need to fit  a U shaped worktop in my kitchen, to do this so the top is flush a the joins you need to make a hockey joint. I have found out that a router and jig is needed which I can hire, Has anyone atempted to do this and if so how hard is it to do.

Cheers.

[Clanad]

Having done  some joinery, I'll have to say I've never heard of a "hockey" joint.  Might be a particular European term.  I suspect it may be what we in the US would call a biscuit joint (no, not a cookie, that's another subject). It is a fairly easy joint to make, but does require a router and biscuit jig.  It results in matching cuts on each side of the joint into which an oblong "biscuit" is glued and fitted.  The two pieces are then fitted together resulting in a strong, even joint. It will probably be made at the top of the "U" that you describe...

[jakesi]

Thats sounds like it. Its called a hockey joint because viewed from above it looks like a hockey stick.

 

Cheers.

[AndyVee]

Sorry to disagree Clanad, but it's not :) The biscuit joint isn't normally used for worktops, mainly they're clamped from beneath in cutouts sometimes called bones, cos thats what they look like. Dont see why biscuits can't also be used though

A hockey joint is one which requires an expensive template, a powerful 1/2" router, a set of specialist bits and a lot of practice. Try a search on Google looking for "worktop router pdf" to find a download. I think that Faithfull also do a good pdf. Be really careful though as if you get the direction of the cut wrong the router can jump back and bite, literally it can take fingers off! Maybe its better to get a joiner in and pay �30 ish per joint. Good luck.