How to Cut a Hardwood Countertop for an Undermounted Sink

Properly cutting a countertop for an undermount sink assures a proper fit. The rim of an undermount sink sits under the countertop, which makes it easier to clean the counter because no rim keeps you from wiping food or other items off the counter and into the sink. An undermount sink normally comes with a cutting template. Using the template helps you cut the hole to the correct dimensions.

Paper template
Pencil
Power drill
1/2-inch drill bit
Jigsaw
Wood-cutting blade
150/180-grit sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Position the paper sink cutout template on top of the countertop. Position the cutout on the countertop leaving enough room for the mounting clips or screws, and the faucet.
- 2
  Trace the sink cutout line onto the counter top from the template. Use a pencil or marker that is not permanent. Remove the template.
- 3
  Install a one-half inch drill bit into a power drill, and drill a starter hole into each corner of the cutout line on the countertop. Use a different size drill bit if it necessary for a starter hole large enough for the jigsaw blade.
- 4
  Install a wood-cutting blade into a jigsaw. Plunge the blade down into one of the starter holes in the countertop. Guide the jigsaw so that the blade cuts along the inside of the cutting line to the next corner hole. Continue cutting around the entire perimeter of the cutout.
- 5
  Sanding the edges of the sink hole with fine sandpaper smoothes them. Use between 150-grit and 180-grit sandpaper.

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