How to cutout a laminated timber benchtop?

[DIY-Dad86]

Hi all, just finished trimming the size and making a cutout in a laminated timber benchtop to fit a new induction cooktop. Are there any tips on how to fill a gap between the new benchtop and the older one? It's got a crackle crush design. Secondly, looking for suggestions on getting an appropriate planer to widen out the cutout I made. I've been using an ozito orbital sander but it seems to take a fair bit of effort and time. I used a jigsaw to make the cutout and the cuts are a bit uneven. I've been using a combination square to help me identify some of the problem areas and then tried sanding it down to make it more even. But similar to before, I find it a bit time consuming and effortful. Any suggestions or do I just need to be patient? Thanks!

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @DIY-Dad86. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about benchtop cutouts.

Could you please upload some images showing the gap between the new and old benchtop? That would really help our members give the best suggestions for filling it. Let me know if you need a hand uploading pictures.

Regarding your cooktop cutout, the cleanest method is usually to use a guide fastened to the benchtop and a router to follow the lines. This gives the straightest and most accurate cut. A circular saw can also be used, but both methods are a bit tricky for a D.I.Y. project and leave very little room for error.

At this stage, you can either continue sanding it down to get it even or consider using a trim router to tidy the edges. Just keep in mind that a router or circular saw can easily damage the benchtop if something goes wrong, so if you’re not confident, it’s often worth having a cabinet maker handle the cutout. They’ll have the right tools and experience to get a neat, precise finish.

Do remember that most cooktops have a lip that extends out over the benchtop. This means that the cooktop needs to fit into the cutout, not that the cutout itself needs perfectly straight sides. The lip covers many sins.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell