Product Details

A guide assembly for use with a rotating bit when forming an opening in a stone countertop. The assembly includes a base unit having an annular, resiliently flexible body with a ringed-shaped suction cup at its lower end. The suction cup forms a seal about the bottom of the base unit that forms a reservoir for holding water during the cutting operation. A rigid ring -shaped insert is mounted in the resilient body and includes a plurality of upwardly projecting mounting pegs. Flat, disk-shaped guide bushings are interchangeably mountable to the pegs atop the base unit, and have central guide openings of different sizes for different sizes of bits. The guide bushings are formed of a rigid low-friction material such as a low friction polymeric material.

Stone countertops are an increasingly popular feature of both residential and commercial construction, valued for both their durability and beauty.

As used in this description and the appended claims, the term “stone” includes natural
stone (e.g., granite, marble, and so on) and artificial stone materials. The term “countertop”, in turn, includes not only kitchen and bathroom counters, but also Worktops, tub surrounds and similar installations.
A major difficulty facing installers is cutting/boring holes to accommodate various items that must pass through the countertop, such as faucets and other plumbing fixtures,
Wiring, and so on. This must be done after the countertop itself has been placed into position and installed. As a result, the holes must frequently be formed in corners, along edges, and in other areas where access is limited or difficult. The operation is further complicated by the fact that the surface must be kept flooded with Water or other lubricant for the bit during the cutting operation. However, even a minor error in
the location or angle of the hole can ruin the countertop so that it must be removed and replaced, at great expense to the installer; such errors are far from infrequent, and cost even experienced installers many thousands of dollars every year.

There exists a need for an apparatus for guiding a rotating bit while forming a hole in a stone countertop, that securely attaches to the countertop so as to obviate any potential for slippage and error. Furthermore, there exists a need for such an apparatus that can be conveniently used in areas where access or space is limited. Still further, there exists a need for such an apparatus that provides a reservoir in order to keep the material and bit flooded with fluid during the cutting operation.

There exists a need for such an apparatus that is simple and convenient for the operator to use.