Thinking about Installing Granite on my own... Thoughts?

[tgeppes]

First off.. thanks to all of you for supporting this site. It is great information.

I have just returned from a 15 month tour in the sandbox and have 30 days of leave starting tomorrow (and a little bit of cash to throw around). I have always wanted to install granite in my house but every fabricator i have talked to told me it was WAY too hard for a normal person to accomplish but I dont believe them.

I found a distributor that will sell me some 3cm Juperana Colombo prefabricated slabs (127x27) for $350.00 per and I really want to do it myself... (badly)

Before I take the plunge - What do you suggest i do to prepare myself?

I am looking about installing about 6 slabs in total. (normal kitchen, one island, a kitchen bar (under-mount stainless steal sink)) Maybe if i get the nerve doing my master bathroom as well.. What are some "must buys" and some "good things to have"

~TGE

thanks for your help

[Stone Dude]

3cm is very heavy. im sure youre in shape from being in the service, but get some tough buddies to help you out. i wouldnt rush and try and get this done in 30 days. if youre installing that much stone, you dont want to do it incorrectly. take your time, do some research, get a few leftover pieces from a fab shop to practice on. plan on spending $500-$1000 in equipment to do it correctly.

keep in mind that jupurana columbo is extremely porous for a granite. it will take 3-4 applications of a sealer or even more to protect it.

DO NOT USE LIQUID NAILS TO STICK THIS DOWN, IT WILL DISCOLOR THE STONE. you want to use clear silicone. we use 5/8 plywood for subtop. we put the finished side (theres one rouch and one smooth) down because it repells (somewhat) water and it gives a little bit extra protection in the case of a plumbing leak.

come back when youre ready for sealer and we can recommend a good one.

where are you located?

[tgeppes]

What type of equipment do you suggest i start looking at? I have not yet purchased the stone... (I plan on doing it in the next week) Would i seal the stone before I start working with it? Did i read your previous comment correctly? I put the smooth... (finished) side DOWN ie... next to the plywood?

I am located in Pensacola FL (Hurlburt Field)

Here are pics of the stone...

[Mark D.]

We actually have a set of DVD's aptly title "Fabricating Stone for the Do-It-Yourselfer". If you have no experience you may want to start there. Here is a link:
http://www.defusco.com/How-To-DVDs-&-Tool-Packages/c654/p2478/Buy-Fabricating-Stone-DVDs-1,2-&-3.--Save-10/product_info.html

As far as the tools go, it depends on your edge detail, the sink you are going to use and other things. If you like call me at 800-289-6834 to discuss your project.

By the way...thank you for your service. I really appreciate it.

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[tgeppes]

Mark D - It is my pleasure working in the AF... I think i have the best job in the world.

I will order the DVDs when i get home tonight. In your opinion do you think i am biting off more than i can chew?

I have attached a picture of the sink my wife bough (a long time ago) as well as the floor plans of our house so you can get an idea of what i will be working on...

I have a complete set of DeWalt XRP series powertools... With the proper blades installed... will they suffice?

What do you think about the Juperana Colombo prefabricated slabs?? Good stone? Good price?

Thanks for your opinions... means the world to be able to talk to someone that knows what they are doing....

[tgeppes]

House - http://www.goodenhomes.com/1930%20pdf.pdf

[blue_can]

According to my calculations each slab is going to weigh around 400lbs. Becuase of the weight you need to plan carefully - how is the slab going to get to your place, how are you going to store it, move it into place and cut it etc. Fab shops use machinery to lift and work on these.

I did my own kitchen - DIY - like you are planning but it was with 2cm stone. I biult a small slab rack out of 2X4s and had a fabricator deliver the pieces. I stored the pieces on the rack and moved on to the floor (2X4s) for cutting. 

Some tips I would suggest - do as much as possiible wet. You can convert most of your dry tools to work wet with Loc-line hose - if not buy wet tools. Water apart from keeping the dust down will extend the life of the tooling and also you will get less chipping on the stone.

Get a 10cm radius profile wheel and use it on the sink cutout - this will prevent the edge chipping over time (if you are planning and undermount). Practice polishing on scrap first. Polish wet also if possible.

Good luck.

[Mark D.]

Juperana is a beautiful stone with lots if variation to it. It is also fairly fragile as far as granites go (notice the mesh that is most likely glued to the bottom of your slab for strength). I would get these pieces precut in sizes that you can handle.
Make sure when you carry any sheet of granite that you carry it vertically and not horizontally as you can easily break them carrying them horizontally.

For power tools you can do this with a Skilsaw and a variable speed grinder, but if you have a wet polisher the job gets done a lot faster. If you have questions feel free to cal us at 800-289-6834.

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[Stone Dude]

i meant the smooth side of the WOOD down, not the granite.

like Blue Can said you will need to buy (expensive like you wouldnt believe) or make up some transporting frames or tables to work on.

sealing is the very last step. the stone may take a day to dry out. you want it to be completely dry before you seal it.