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Corian Chair Rail

neilpuck | Posted in General Discussion on May 31, 2008 04:05am

In a powder room, I’d like to use a white corian for the chair rail.  The goal is for a smooth uninterrupted stripe that starts and ends with the wall mounted sink.  I don’t need a piece any longer than about 48 inches, and I’m guessing I might even be able to get offcuts from a countertop fabricator.  I’d probably have to rip it down, then i’d like to round over the long edges.  What kind of issues am I in for?  Can I use regular woodworking eqiuipment with nice sharp carbide blades?  I’m sure the dust is nasty.  Any advice?

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  1. Shep | May 31, 2008 04:39am | #1

    you can cut and edge Corian with carbide tipped tooling. Its got sort of a nasty, plastic smell to it, but its pretty easy to work.

    But DuPont is real fussy who they sell their product to. They want you to jump thru hoops to purchase it.  You'll have to find a kitchen and bath place that will sell to you, and not go to their supplier.

    Or get one of theier competitors materials. Formica will sell their Surell solid surface to pretty much every one.

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | May 31, 2008 04:45am | #2

      Actually Corian PIECES are not that hard to get. At one time DuPont put out a DIY arts adn craft project guide.It is just sabs that you can't buy easly.If there is an online seller and DuPont recommended. But it was an odd name and I can't remember it. They sell it up to 1/2 sheet size IIRCBut he should be able to get as 6" - 12" wide stuff as he wants from any fabricator..
      .
      A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

      1. Shep | May 31, 2008 05:24am | #4

        OK, maybe DuPont has loosened up some.

        I do know I was looking into becoming a repair tech for Corian some time ago, and they wanted me to have a pretty good sized shop. I think it was 700 sq. ft., or bigger? All I was planning on doing was repairing the stuff already installed. So I didn't go that route.

        Plus I've dealt with my Formica dealer for nearly 30 years. I can get whatever he carries pretty quickly. His warehouse is only about 5 miles from my house.

    2. DougU | May 31, 2008 04:46am | #3

      Shep

      I think Dupont has loosened up on the sell of smaller pieces of Corian now, I've heard that they will sell what they call "artisan" pieces.

      I'd think the 48 inches that the OPer is looking for might just fit in this category.

      Doug

       

  2. Boats234 | May 31, 2008 05:50am | #5

    Availability is variable like others have said. One online marketer is  http://www.solidsurface.com/ .

    I think your on a good line if you can find some remnants from a local fabricator. Scarf joint and adhesive will be invisable.

    I just bought some seam adhesive on ebay for 25% money---- 10 bucks a tube. Still available if you do an ebay search.

    My supplier starts at $18psf for solid colors and $30 a tube for adhesive.

    Never routed any, but cut a bunch... sharp carbide is a must.

  3. KenDolph | Jun 18, 2008 03:32pm | #6

    Check out http://www.coriartspecialties.com  Material, adhesives and advice available there.

  4. User avater
    bp21901 | Jun 18, 2008 05:08pm | #7

    I got an extra piece from our counter top guy during our install and made a drainboard out of it. Cut and routed it just like wood, make sure you have a good dust collection set up, as you said the dust is nasty.

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