Granite Counter Failure

I found a lovely piece of dark granite for $50 that I thought was large enough for the countertop in the family bathroom.

Dark granite counter top
Dark granite counter top

It required more prep work than most because there were plywood pieces glued to the back of it. I cut them off by scoring with a saw and chipping away with a hammer and pry bar.

Removing plywood and glue
Removing plywood and glue

I had to cut the counter piece out of a larger polished end of the counter. That meant the whole front edge needed to be shaped and polished. I bought a special edge cutter to shape the front edge. By the time I was finished cutting, it was just barely wide enough for the countertop. But I could make up some depth by overlapping a space at the back with the backsplash.

Polishing the cut edge
Polishing the cut edge

While I was working with the stone my granite wet saw broke at the bolt that held on the blade. I quickly went to Home Depot to replace it. Then I ordered a variable speed wet grinder and another set of diamond pads to help with the polishing.

Broken granite wet saw
Broken granite wet saw

I used the new saw to cut the sink holes but it was slightly smaller than the old saw. So I was cutting from two sides.

Sink holes cut out
Sink holes cut out

I had been working on the piece for hours and I was getting tired so naturally when I turned the almost finished piece over one last time it slipped from my fingers only an inch or so but enough for the end to break off.

I broke the granite!
I broke the granite!

This is one of those accidents where hours of time and effort are gone in a moment. So there must have been a reason. Turns out my daughter in law likes light colors better.
At the time we were investigating having the master bath quartz suppliers finish the kitchen quartz that I was also cutting and polishing. So I asked them to find a remnant for the family bath and cut and install it. I was out of time. They found a white lightly speckled quartz and it cost $600 for the remnant, the cut and install. Oh well.

White quartz instead
White quartz instead

The professionals also finished and installed the kitchen quartz.

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