Community Forums

Karlos · 07-23-2020, 10:52 AM

Hello all,

We recently upgraded our 2000 SeaView, and purchased a 2007 Dolphin! Love most the feature upgrades, but one area is lacking! The hinged cooktop cover!

Our Dolphin has a two piece corian cover that has to be removed for use and stored somewhere while cooking. (See attached photo.) Our SeaView had the same Atwood 3-burner cooktop, with the same two piece corian cover, but it was hinged on the back wall and between the two corian pieces. The cover could be opened and laid against the back wall while cooking. A very convenient design! (See second attached photo for the desired open position.)

Question to all of you. How can I modify my two removable panels to the hinged design on my old SeaView. Any ideas on a good hinging mechanism and how to attach it to the corian?

Thanks.
Karlos

Ndrorder · 07-23-2020, 11:48 AM

Here are a couple ideas in the absence of any others.

Doing a quick google, there are several videos and pages about drilling and screwing into corian. Most suggest not to use a wood or metal screw as the plastic will not handle the expansion pressure these types of thread create. Rather, either drill through and use a machine screw and hex nut, or drill partial and use heli-coils in place of the nuts for a cleaner surface appearance. The hinges will be on top of the counter in the back, but under the corian pieces in the middle.

If not the handy sort, this may be something to leave to a mobile service, trusted handy man,or a cabinet maker.

https://www.google.com/search?client...ws+into+corian

Unplanned Tourist · 07-23-2020, 12:01 PM

I agree with Ndrorder, it's not hard to drill and install hinges in Corian.

I would suggest a good quality stainless steel piano hinge for both places.

That will give you more attaching screws, so stronger.

Also, the stainless won't rust if it gets left wet after washing the counter top.

Happy Glamping.

Winemaker2 · 07-23-2020, 12:07 PM

For the back side of the rear piece use a section of round pin, wood, plastic, metal epoxies to the bottom edge. Cut a notch in the counter rabbit that supports the edge of the fill pieces.
For the center... if you want it hinged use piano or continuous flexible (plastic) hinge epoxies the the bottom of the pieces. Either make the hinge shorter than the counter support opening or notch for the hinge as well.
Out cover has a notch in the support rabbit that the front edge of the cover rests in to prevent it from sliding.
Notching can be done with a router or dremel tool. Carbide tools best to cut Corian clean.
You could do the above without hinging the center. Rear piece tips up and front piece placed in notch and simply leans back against to rear piece. Notches keep them from sliding.

YC1 · 07-23-2020, 01:25 PM

If you have full hook ups mostly why not leave it covered and use that for prep work and use a portable induction plate?

Just throwing out some ideas here. We have not used our propane cook top in years. Worn out several Nuvi's. They can be placed anywhere we want so it incredibly convenient and they store out of the way if needed.

Karlos · 07-23-2020, 01:37 PM

Thanks for the reply! I never worked with corian before, so I was apprehensive about screwing into it. I didn't want to thru-bolt it because the hardware would show and possibly collect food debris. I like your heli-arc tip. I was looking to use piano hinges, but hoping for a more clever hardware solution that I've never seen. Karlos

Karlos · 07-23-2020, 01:47 PM

Thanks for the reply. Not sure if I understand your rear pivot point ... I think you suggest a pin of some sort drilled into the counter on both sides of the back piece of corian. Is that right?

You suggest the hinge point between the two corrian pieces be a stainless piano hinge .... I agree. I have never epoxied anything to corian, so I was not sure if an adhesive would be strong enough to hold, or would I need mechanical fasteners. Have you had good experiences with epoxy between corian and stainless?

Karlos

Karlos · 07-23-2020, 02:07 PM

Hey guys,

Another issue with this project is the back piece of corian is bowed about 1/4 to 1/2" in the middle. Not sure if was exposed to a hot cooktop, or if it just sagged over time.

Question is .... what is a good way to flatten out this piece? I heard placing it in a in a household oven at low temp. Also heard setting it upside down supported on the ends and put a weight in the middle.

Any ideas greatly appreciated!

Karlos

Unplanned Tourist · 07-23-2020, 02:08 PM

If you want to try gluing the hinges on, try PC7 epoxy. Be sure to just rough up the area with sandpaper, and be sure it's really cleaned well with something like alcohol.

I repaired a marble table with it, and it really is tough.

Happy Glamping.

Winemaker2 · 07-23-2020, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlos

Thanks for the reply. Not sure if I understand your rear pivot point ... I think you suggest a pin of some sort drilled into the counter on both sides of the back piece of corian. Is that right?

You suggest the hinge point between the two corrian pieces be a stainless piano hinge .... I agree. I have never epoxied anything to corian, so I was not sure if an adhesive would be strong enough to hold, or would I need mechanical fasteners. Have you had good experiences with epoxy between corian and stainless?

Karlos

I'm guessing the corian is not too thick (1/2) so I wouldn't drill I to the edge but would epoxy the pin to the bottom at the rear and cut the req'd clearance into the side support area so it could pivot.
They typically epoxy attachment pads / bolts to the bottom where a metal sink is used instead of the molded corian sinks. Like others said roughen the area well before.

docj · 07-23-2020, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

If you have full hook ups mostly why not leave it covered and use that for prep work and use a portable induction plate?

Just throwing out some ideas here. We have not used our propane cook top in years. Worn out several Nuvi's. They can be placed anywhere we want so it incredibly convenient and they store out of the way if needed.

X2! We have a very expensive residential LP cooktop which remains under its Corian covers because we only cook with our induction burner.

FLRosebud · 07-23-2020, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

If you have full hook ups mostly why not leave it covered and use that for prep work and use a portable induction plate?

Just throwing out some ideas here. We have not used our propane cook top in years. Worn out several Nuvi's. They can be placed anywhere we want so it incredibly convenient and they store out of the way if needed.

/\ - This.....

Al