As for the sink cutout, I’ve started using painter’s tape and a multi-tool for the corners. Still messy, but at least the dust doesn’t travel as far...
Painter’s tape is a solid move for marking lines, but if you want to cut down on dust even more, try clamping a shop vac hose right next to your cut. I’ve found it catches most of the debris, especially with MDF or particle board. For tight corners, I’ll drill a pilot hole first—makes it easier to get the multi-tool blade in without chewing up the edge. Flexible couplers are a lifesaver in awkward spaces, but I still double-check for leaks after everything’s settled. Sometimes that “give” can shift things just enough over time.
Title: Just Put In A New Kitchen Sink And Wondering If Anyone Else Struggled This Much
I’ve definitely been there with the sink cutout mess. Last time I swapped out a kitchen sink, I thought I was being clever by using a jigsaw with one of those “clean cut” blades and taping everything off. Still ended up with dust in places I didn’t even know existed—found some behind the fridge a week later, which was just... impressive, honestly.
I like the shop vac trick, but I’ve had mixed results depending on the countertop material. Laminate seems to cooperate, but solid surface or old plywood? Not so much. Ever tried wetting down the area first? Someone suggested that to me once for MDF, but I was worried about swelling or warping, so I chickened out.
Pilot holes in the corners are a must for me too. I actually use a step bit to make them just a hair bigger than the blade width—makes it way easier to turn without hacking up the laminate edge. But then again, maybe I’m overthinking it.
Flexible couplers are handy, but I’ve had one work itself loose after a few months. Not sure if it was user error or just cheap parts. Do you ever reinforce them with hose clamps or something extra? I get paranoid about leaks under the sink since my last disaster (let’s just say warped cabinet bottoms are not fun to fix).
Curious if anyone’s tried those oscillating tool dust shrouds? They look promising but seem awkward in tight spaces. Or maybe there’s just no perfect way to keep things clean when you’re hacking into countertops...
Title: Just Put In A New Kitchen Sink And Wondering If Anyone Else Struggled This Much
That dust... it’s like glitter, just never goes away. I remember the first time I swapped out a granite composite sink—thought I’d be clever and used painter’s plastic everywhere. Still found dust in the spice drawer a week later. As for wetting the area, I tried it once with MDF and regretted it. The swelling was immediate, and the cut edge looked like a chewed-up sponge. I’d steer clear unless you’re working with something waterproof.
Flexible couplers have given me mixed results too. I started doubling up on hose clamps after I had one slip off and soak the inside of a custom walnut cabinet. That was a fun insurance call... Not sure if it’s overkill, but peace of mind is worth the extra few bucks.
Those oscillating tool shrouds look promising, but in real life, they’re awkward as heck under a shallow cabinet lip. I usually end up vacuuming as I go and just accept the cleanup later. Maybe there’s no elegant way to do it, but hey, at least we get stories out of it.
I get what you mean about the dust, but I actually had better luck with a shop vac and a buddy holding the hose right next to the cut. It wasn’t perfect, but way less mess than plastic sheeting for me. On the couplers—has anyone tried those push-fit drain fittings? I’m curious if they’re any more reliable or just another thing to leak down the line.
I actually had better luck with a shop vac and a buddy holding the hose right next to the cut. It wasn’t perfect, but way less mess than plastic sheeting for me.
That’s pretty much my go-to now too—shop vacs make a world of difference, especially if you’re dealing with laminate or MDF countertops. I’ve tried the plastic sheeting trick, but it always seems to get in the way or just ends up full of static-y dust anyway.
As for the push-fit drain fittings, I used them once on a laundry room reno. They’re super quick, but I noticed one started weeping after a few months. Ended up swapping it out for a traditional slip joint. Maybe I just got a dud, but I’m a little wary now. Sometimes old-school is just more reliable, even if it’s a pain to tighten everything up under the sink.
