Drilling hole in the solid countertop

[Fishhawk]

In our 2015 Cougar 29RLI
I want to replace the 2 hole faucet with a 3 hole with a detachable spray head
This will require drilling a 3rd hole in the solid countertop

My question is
What is the material used in my solid countertop
So I can determine if I can drill another hole

If anyone has done this, I would appreciate your imput


Thanks for your help

[notanlines]

Here is all the info you will need....
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt...yfp-t-325&fp=1

[Fishhawk]

Thanks

I've looked at the utube postings
and if the material is Corian , then drilling is easy

My main question is

Is my countertop Corian or some other material?

Still waiting to hear back from Keystone

[GmaPaTime]

Steve.... Corian is a brand name of what is referred as a "Solid Surface" countertop. There are a few manufactures of this type of material, but all are workable the same way. The island countertop your wanting to drill into is of a solid surface material.

Steve

[Fishhawk]

Thanks
My dealer is under the impression that the countertop is not
a corian type material
And has requested confirmation by Keystone

The dealer thinks the drilling has to be done with a water cooled drill bit

But That would only make sense to me if the top was granite

Just checking the forum to see if anyone has already done this


Appreciate the responses

[JRTJH]

If your countertop is Corian, it will have the "Corian medallion" embossed on it "somewhere".... If it's not embossed, then it's not Corian. There are several manufacturers of "solid countertops". Keystone has installed "Hi-Mac" brand in the past.

If you access the underside of your countertop, along the kitchen sink area, you should be able to tell if the underlayment is wood, particle board or "solid surface".

There is a "relatively new material" called "granite laminate" that is being installed in a number of "very high end luxury motorhomes". It is a thin cut granite with a fiberglass underlayment. The granite is laminated to the fiberglass to give it support. I have not seen (or even heard of) any trailers with this option. Especially, there are none from Keystone. You would probably need a "water cooled drill" for this type of granite laminate, but certainly not for a conventional "high pressure laminate" or for a conventional "Corian/knockoff" brand of solid surface material.

Depending on what you find when you look at the underside of the countertop, you'll know what material you've got. I'd guess it's a "corian like" material from Hi-Mac.

[Timon]

Once you find out the manufacture of the material if you want to be safe you can hire an installer that know that material to drill the holes. They will have the right bits and have the experience to do it right.

[GmaPaTime]

Steve... Just an idea. Test drill into the sink insert that is the same material as the counter top

Steve

[bsmith0404]

If you're going to install it, try drilling the hole. If it doesn't work, get a different bit or hire someone to come in and drill the hole for you. You can at least drill a small pilot hole.

[Fishhawk]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

If you're going to install it, try drilling the hole. If it doesn't work, get a different bit or hire someone to come in and drill the hole for you. You can at least drill a small pilot hole.

Drilling a small test hole is exactly what I did first thing this morn
Not being familiar with this material
I was concerned that conventional drilling might cause spider cracks or checking
But
Whatever brand of solid surface this is
It is Easy to drill

Here comes a new faucet installation soon

[bsmith0404]

Glad it worked out, enjoy your new faucet once it's installed. I installed a very nice faucet in our last camper, my only gripe was trying to work under the cabinet, not much space.

[Steve S]

Don't drill a test hole as you need a hole saw to cut it out and it has a bit that will do the pilot hole for you. If there's a test hole it'll make the hole saw wobble and it'll look like crap and it will be bigger then you want it to be.
Most cutouts will be 1 or 1 1/2 and a spade bit will work fine.
As for the material I wouldn't worry too much about it as any drill bit will work unless it's solid granite

[bsmith0404]

A small hole such as a 1/8" bit will not affect the hole saw. Additionally, I've always found that a wood bit works better for drilling counter tops. Since they have a tapered point, they would not be affected by a small pilot/test hole either. Now if you drilled a test hole with a 3/8" bit, that's a different story.

[Fishhawk]

Originally Posted by Steve S

Don't drill a test hole as you need a hole saw to cut it out and it has a bit that will do the pilot hole for you. If there's a test hole it'll make the hole saw wobble and it'll look like crap and it will be bigger then you want it to be.
Most cutouts will be 1 or 1 1/2 and a spade bit will work fine.
As for the material I wouldn't worry too much about it as any drill bit will work unless it's solid granite

Yup
I wanted a small test hole without causing a problem for my hole saw later
So early this morn I used a 1/16 bit for the test hole

I seldom
use spade bits unless the material I'm drilling is too thick for a hole saw
Which this countertop wasnt

Granite?

Not in my humble little Cougar

All's good!
Thanks

[Fishhawk]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Glad it worked out, enjoy your new faucet once it's installed. I installed a very nice faucet in our last camper, my only gripe was trying to work under the cabinet, not much space.

Thanks!!
The little woman asks for so little
I was determined to get this faucet in if at all possible
Lowes plumbing dept will be happy to see me soon

It seems like Cramped working areas and campers go hand in hand to make some little projects time consuming

Or
Maybe I've just gotten old and dont bend as well

Naw... Not me.... Maybe?