[Muskyhunter620]

Ok so I'm finishing a bar in my basement and have constructed the support wall on which the breakfast bar top portion will sit.

I made the support wall 2x6 for more stability/support. Butted up to the wall I've got my regular counter height cabinets.

For both the regular height counter top and breakfast bar top I was originally gonna go poured concrete and do the fancy epoxy over it. I think I'm now just going to build the bar tops out of MDF or particle board and epoxy over that.

Problem is I'm worried about the strength of using MDF/particle board for the breakfast bar top.
This top is going to be 14-16" wide and 11' long. In the middle the bar makes a 45 so there is a 6' section then a 5' section.

I'm concerned with the overhang as well as attaching to the support wall. I've seen the counterbalancing systems using 3/8 metal sheets to support overhangs such as a breakfast bar.

If I have an 8-9" overhang, would a support like this be needed? And how do I attach the counter top then to the support wall? Corbels?

Thought corbels were mostly for show and hoping not to use them. Typical counter top constuction is 3/4" MDF with it doubled near the edges.

If I double the entire bar top to 1.5" is it overkill but help with the overhang? If not, what would be the best way to attach the breakfast bar top to the top of the support wall? Appreciate any insight, thanks!

 

[joecaption]

Why not just use 3/4 plywood.
Lot easyer to picture what your doing with a real picture.

 

[Muskyhunter620]

So here's a pic of the bar support wall. Also is a pic of our kitchen coutertop/breakfast bar and this is what I'm trying to make the basement bar look like. The front in the first pic is where the overhang will be. If I double up 3/4" MDF or Plywood I'm trying to figure out how to attach it to the top of the support wall. When someone is putting their weight on the overhang portion I want to make sure it's going to hold & be solid. I mean just use some solid screws & liquid nails? Or go the route of something like the counterbalancing with the metal sheets underneath for additional support? Thanks..

 

[ddawg16]

You do NOT want to use MDF....use 3/4" plywood.

Your granit is going to have a bull nose edge that will cover the edge of the plywood....so your top plywoods needs to be the inside dim of your slab....

Once you have the plywood cut....anchor it to wall using recess #10 wood screws at least 2" long....I would put in at least one screw every 4". You want that b!tch strong enough so that you can stand on the edge and it does not go anywhere.

 

[joecaption]

If you use some Tite Bond II between the plywood and the top of the wall it will be stronger then the wood.

 

[Muskyhunter620]

Sweet, thanks for the suggestions fellas. Bought the plywood over the MDF and cut them out last weekend. I'll definitely check out the Tite Bond II as well.

Thanks!