Fabrication Guide

Sink Mounting

You can either bevel mount or under mount your HI-MACS® sink or vanity to your HI-MACS® countertop or vanity to create a monolithic appearance smooth to the touch and crisp and clean to the appearance.

Mounting Sinks from Dissimilar Materials

The most typical dissimilar sink or vanity will be comprised of Stainless Steel, Porcelain, Cast Iron, Ceramic or Glass. These sinks can be top mount, self rimming or under mount.

When Top Mounting

Cut the opening in the countertop approximately 2.5cm larger in length and width than the sink is to be mounted. Make this cutout with a router only! This opening should then be sanded to remove chatter to a smooth finish.
Apply a 6mm bead of 100% silicone to the bottom edge of the self rimming sink flange and also to the edge of the routed cutout.
Position the sink into the cutout so that the flange rests on the deck. Make certain to install the clips or clamps supplied, but remember not to screw anything directly into or onto the HI-MACS® materials.
Use a wooden block or shim block when necessary.
Your distributor has or will direct you to the approved sources for sink clips that are appropriate to mount into the HI-MACS® sheet materials.

When Under Mounting Sinks from Dissimilar Materials

Make a template if one is not provided of the required size for the cutout.
Sand and finish the routed edges and chatter to provide a smooth surface.
Invert or flip your HI-MACS® countertop. Make certain your bench is flat and level.
Leave enough room at the back of the countertop for the faucet assembly, edge buildup backsplash, and respective sink flange.
Apply a 6mm bead of 100% silicone to the top of the sink flange and to the bottom of the HI-MACS® counter top at the flange perimeter edge.
Position the sink equally around the cutout and install sink clips or clamps supplied, but remember not to screw anything directly into or onto the HI-MACS® materials.
Use a wooded block or shim block when necessary.
Your distributor has or will direct you to the approved sources for sink clips appropriate to mount into the HI-MACS® sheet materials.

Sinks and Bowls to HI-MACS® Sheet Materials.

A seam mount in solid surfacing is gluing the top of the sink flange with adhesive to the bottom of HI-MACS® sheet materials.
For this reason, all typical bonding steps are performed on an inverted or flipped sheet, thus exposing the bottom of your countertop.
Most fabricators will perform all steps in an inverted fashion, with the exception of final trimming with the router and finish sanding.
It may be helpful to make sure you have a work table/bench that is open or wide enough in the center to flip the top into once the sink is installed for final trimming and finishing.
Such a table/bench will provide proper support all around the sink and countertop.
Mark the center location of the bottom of the sheet where the sink will also be centered in the sink base cabinet.
Use an auger to scribe these marks.
Once you dry fit the bowl into final position, use the same auger to draw an outline around the sink/bowl.
Completely sand and then clean the surface of the sink flange and the area on the bottom of the sheet inside the auger outline that will have adhesive placed on it.
Place the sink/bowl back into position inside your auger outline.
Attach blocks made of wood or scrap HI-MACS® material with hot melt glue against the outside edge of the flange. Once the glue has dried the sink will remain in position.
At this point you can place a bead of adhesive on the flange of the sink or bowl and on the auger outline on the sheet.
Place the bowl inside the positioning blocks and attach clamps or weights to ensure adequate and equal pressures as the adhesive is setting up.
Depending on the bowl, it may be necessary or required to install sink clips or brackets to aid in the sink support.
It can be noted that if you notch the positioning blocks to produce an "L" block, you can create you own support bracket.
Once the adhesive is dry, carefully flip the top upright.
Place your router in the center of the bowl and plunge an approximate 2.5cm hole through the sheet.
Make sure you now put a bearing guide on the bit and follow the perimeter of the bowl as a guide.
The bearing will follow it and the excess cutout material will be removed.
Change your bit to a finish profile bit with a bearing guide and finish routing the final profile to the deck and bowl.
It can be a smooth transition appearing as a monolithic top and bowl or a small bullnose to provide a transition lip.