Blades and Rodding for Granite and Marble

In this section you will find rodding, rodding stand products, and rodding blades for granite and stone counter tops. Rodding has been proven time and time again to strengthen the structural integrity of granite, marble, engineered stone, quartz, travartine, limestone, etc.

Rodding has been recommended by most fabricators, and institutes, for granite counter tops, marble counter tops, and most other natural and engineered stone counter top installations. This can be on both sides of sinks and vanities, areas that have more flexible substrates, stove cut outs, blind corners, etc.

One of the huge benefits of rodding granite and stone countertops is that when a stone is broken and a rod has been used (some people can break even an anvil), the counter top stays together. This allows the stone to be repaired with as minimal damage as possible. Without that rod in there, the stone would simply shatter, fall to the floor, potentially damage the floor, and the top is completely ruined.

Weha Rodding only costs between $0.40-$0.48 per foot, depending on which rodding you choose. Running 4' per sink side, front and back, the cost is between $3.20-$3.84 per counter top sink cutout. That is cheap insurance on a top that could cost over $1,000 to re-fabricate.

What is the best blade to use for cutting the correct groove in granite and stone counter tops for the Fiberglass Rodding?

Weha offers a 4" x 1/4" Diamond Turbo Rodding Blade and a 5" x 1/4" Diamond Turbo Rodding Blade specifically for cutting rodding grooves, in granite, marble, quartz, travertine, limestone, etc.

These blades can be used wet or dry and will make a perfect1/4" slot to easily place the rod. These blades will cut the granite slot much faster than traditional rodding blades and will last longer. Although there is a space between the 2 blades, when cutting, the stone between the blades will also be removed leaving a perfect1/4" slot for the rod to sit nicely into.

How deep should the groove be cut in order to properly adhere the granite, stone rodding into the counter top?

Weha Fiberglass rodding should have a minimum 1/2" deep groove cut into the counter top. This allows 1/8" of glue to completely encapsulate the rod all around when using a 1/4" wide blade. If using a bridge saw, saw jet, fabcenter, etc with a bridge saw blade 2 passes will be necessary to make the 1/4" width as most saw blades are approximately 1/8" wide.

Glue for Fiberglass Rodding in Granite

What glue should be used to permanently adhere fiberglass rodding into the granite and stone counter top? There are 3 types of adhesives that fabricators are using:

• Polyester: Polyester flowing adhesive is by far the most popular. Flowing glue is less expensive, cures fast, and encapsulates the rodding into the counter top.
• Acrylic: Acrylic Rodding Cartridges is another alternative that fabricators are using. The Acrylic Rodding Cartridges bond fast, can be applied when the stone is damp, cures fast and has excellent strength.
• Epoxies: Epoxy glues have proven to be the strongest rodding glue to use. Latest generation epoxies bond to damp stone, cure almost as fast as polyester and acrylics, but give unparalleled strength.