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Thanks for reading this.I have a granite counter that I've obtained and I'd like to weld up a free standing frame to support it. The counter weighs 193 lbs. This will be next to my grill and next to the deck. I thought I would not attach it to the deck and instead anchor the uprights next to the deck in concrete.I'm not sure what size square tube to use. My thoughts were that I'd use 1-1/2" .250 tubing for the whole thing. Perhaps, just to make it look better I would use 4" x .250 tube for the posts that I sink into concrete.Does anyone have thoughts on this?RayLincoln SP 130TVictor Journeyman
Reply:We did the granite thing in 2008,,My brother had done his counters 3 years before me. His pulled away from the wall, due to the weight, and had to be repaired.My counters are sized so that virtually the entire 600 pound slab was used. (the engineer in me laid it out in CAD, before the company started)So, I would guess my weight is 450-500 pounds.I was scared to death that mine would pull away, also. My counters are twice as big as my brothers.The day before those guys came out, I removed the old countertop, (Formica) and I added 2X4's EVERYWHERE, tied back to the studs in the home.I used over 200 drywall type screws that were 4" long,, I also leveled the top of everything we added,,The guys came out the next day,, and said they had never seen so much structure under an installation.They were SO happy to find a level surface to work with, normally, they shim, shim and add MORE SHIMS!!My counters never have moved,, AT ALL!I also love steel, and I had the steel, but, driving screws was SO easy,,Also, those installers would not know what to do with a steel framework,,Can you imagine drilling hundreds of holes in steel to fasten the steel to the home???Here is a picture of mine,, I added big radius' at each corner,,

We left BIG overhangs at three sides, one is over the spot that the trash can always sat,,one was where we would store the store the food processor,,one is a HUGE one, that is now kinda a breakfast "nook",,That breakfast nook one scared me,, so, after it was installed I made a CNC cut triangular steel gusset, that supports the overhang,,I have seen my grandchildren sit on that corner,, so, I think it is OK!!

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