installing a slide in range

mudcat king · 05-31-2008, 05:20 AM

Question for any home remodelers out there. We're contributing to the economy this weekend and installing a slide in range where we had a drop in. (Not by choice. Our stove just happened to go out when our check came in) Anyway, I have to cut the counter top to accomodate the slide in range and was wondering how hard it will be to cut through the formica without splintering the edges. Tape the edges of the cut? Jig saw or skill saw? What type of blade for either? I want to get this right the first time. Also, I can see under the stove where it is hard wired in. Wires coming out of the wall to a box and then another set of wires going from the box to the stove. Can I just hard wire the new stove in with the same set of wires that are already there or would it be better to put a pig tail on the new stove and wire in an outlet? I'm sure I can do this but not sure which way would be easiest. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm gonna go play 18 to clear my mind before I tackle this........

Mike

happybrew · 05-31-2008, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudcat king

Question for any home remodelers out there. We're contributing to the economy this weekend and installing a slide in range where we had a drop in. (Not by choice. Our stove just happened to go out when our check came in) Anyway, I have to cut the counter top to accomodate the slide in range and was wondering how hard it will be to cut through the formica without splintering the edges. Tape the edges of the cut? Jig saw or skill saw? What type of blade for either? I want to get this right the first time. Also, I can see under the stove where it is hard wired in. Wires coming out of the wall to a box and then another set of wires going from the box to the stove. Can I just hard wire the new stove in with the same set of wires that are already there or would it be better to put a pig tail on the new stove and wire in an outlet? I'm sure I can do this but not sure which way would be easiest. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm gonna go play 18 to clear my mind before I tackle this........

Mike

We had to do the same thing a couple of months ago. I don't have any suggestions on the formica, other than be careful. We used a reciprocating saw. We had one area that we ended up chipping. It had already separated from the counter, and the up and down actions caused a small part to break off. I would suggest checking for any areas where the formica might be loose and gluing them down before proceeding. Other than that, the formica cut just fine.

The wires on our new range were the same as the wires on the old one. We had no problems there. If they are different, it should simply be a matter of stopping by the store where you bought the new range and getting the correct set of wires.

happybrew

tikkahunter · 05-31-2008, 07:10 AM

if you had a drop in it may or may not be the plug in type you may have to put a plug in the wall and you will have to put a cord on the range itself just make sure they match if the hunse is older than 1996 it will probably be 3 wire if newer than 1996 it will be 4 wire

Fossil · 05-31-2008, 07:26 AM

We have done this a couple of times. Mark and scribe your cuts with a box knife and straight edge in the laminate before using the jig saw. Use a fine blade in in the saw. As mentioned the plug will have to be converted since the drop in was hard wired. We had to bring in another circuit for the microwave we wanted to install above the new stove. Good luck.

wannacatchem · 05-31-2008, 07:51 AM

I cut plastic this way, so in MIGHT work on formica. If you have the capability, try it on a test piece.

In your skill saw, install the blade backwards, set your blade depth to about an 1/8th inch then score the line you are going to cut.

Re-install blade in correct orientation, make the cut.

Having a saw guide will ensure a repeat cut in the line you scored.

This should eliminate all chipping

baltz526 · 05-31-2008, 09:47 AM

router with laminate blade

Herring Impaired · 05-31-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

router with laminate blade

That's how I did mine. Clamped a straight edge to the counter top and used a router to make the cut. They make "Moldings" that will cover the gap between the counter and slide in that will help clean it up a bit.

Salmonid · 05-31-2008, 11:00 AM

Mudcat, I was faced with the same scenario last year. I actually bought the slide in and was considering cutting out the cabinet and countertop. After some serious thought, I took back the slide and and replaced with the same style we had before. Much easier although the appliance was a bit more expensive. If you want to spend more time on the links or the water, consider just replacing what you have with the same style. Just my $.02. Good luck.

Jsail · 05-31-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudcat king

I have to cut the counter top to accomodate the slide in range and was wondering how hard it will be to cut through the formica without splintering the edges. Tape the edges of the cut? Jig saw or skill saw? What type of blade for either? I want to get this right the first time.
Mike

A jig saw with hollow ground blade if you can't get one just use a jig saw with blade that has a lot of teeth and not much set. Scribing the cut line is always good insurance. Scribe it and then cut just inside of that.

I would recommend wiring as per the instructions that came with the stove. First for safety and second for product warranty and home insurance in case it's not quite right.
If the house was wired pre 96 you may need some licensed help or instruction.

mudcat king · 05-31-2008, 03:08 PM

Well, I got back from golf and after some lunch got to work pulling the old stove out. Took about 5 min. When they installed it 25 yrs ago they didn't bother to screw it in place. Just had it laying on the counter with just the lip supporting the stove!! Nothing on the bottom to rest on either. How did that pass? Anyway its out and made the cuts per your guys suggestions. Funny, I played today with a guy I'd never met before and he was a cabinet maker. Go figure................said the same stuff you guys offered. Any chipping on the formica will be covered by the top edge of the stove. The wiring looks pretty staight forward. 3 wire...red, black and white with a copper ground. I'm thinking of hard wiring into the new stove but wondering if there might be a space issue with the electrical box coming out of the wall? We'll see, the stove comes in next week. By the way, golf was bad. Is the sun ever going to shine?

Mike

Tall-tailer · 05-31-2008, 09:41 PM

Make sure you check breaker and wire size. I did the same upgrade a couple years ago and the new slide in unit had a self cleaning oven (40 amp circuit required), original was a 30 amp. I had to upgrade both the wire size and breaker.

mudcat king · 06-01-2008, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the heads up on that. We have a 40amp breaker so hopefully that will be enough.

M