Mine is in process right now. I will try to get pictures posted later. I will have an 18" overhang without corbels or legs.

Here is a picture of what we're doing. It is one inch square tubing-cold rolled steel. It is very strong. There will be 5 (I think) across the island that is 81 inches. Hope this helps.

thanks! Can you possibly take another picture showing the bars from the end of the island? How are your island cabinets secured to the floor? Normally secured into a 2x4 - did they do anything differently?

Is this the picture you wanted? Only one of the bars in done right now. The island cabinets are not secured differently as far as I know. I can find out and get back to you. We are planning on capping the ends of the bars.

perfect image! Did your granite fabricator supply the steel? How are they secured to the cabinets?
Thanks again!

Our extension is part of a raised bar top. Our GC had three steel bars - 1 flat and 2 that are "Z" shaped. Here's the best picture that I've found of the supports. The two lower ones in the picture extend back 33 inches across the cabinet. That's a temporary countertop that you see covering them:

Here's a picture of it finished from a different angle - sorry I don't have one underneath right now

I can tell you that the support bars are more visible than we would have liked. We're hoping that the bar stools we're getting will hide them. If not, we've talked about having some sort of black metal box built to cover them.

We used the freedom bracket in the 10" size. They were very easy to install(DH did it himself) and I can't see them at all under the counter.

Also take a look at this post from Holligator(about halfway down the page)
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0420535421910.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Freedom Bracket

dianelouise - my son (also my contractor) got the steel from a local place, but is working with the fabricators to make sure they are ok with how things are done. The steel will be secured with a type of glue that adheres to wood, steel, etc. I can find out tomorrow if you need to know the name.

We ordered the chemical concepts brackets called 'island balance'. They also make one called counter balance. Small and easy to install yet hold like 500 lbs each. I called the company and ordered them directly - they arrived a few days later.

If it were me, I would secure those steel bars to the cabinets with long screws. I would then secure the cabinets to the floor joists with angle brackets and long screws. The stone should be secured to the steel bars with epoxy.

Diane: you didn't say how much of the stone will be over the cabinets. 24"? So that would be 24" + 18" of overhang?

When the amount of overhang is less than 1/2 the total width, you have few mounting problems.

dianelouise - just so you know my situation, my island is 54 x 81, so 36 in. of the granite has cabinets underneath with 18 in. overhang.

I also vote on some kind of mechanical attachment between steel bar and cabinets (L bracket welded in correct spot would be best), When I needed to make support like this. I make the bar sit just a hair lower, a bead of epoxy (or whatever the countertop guys) use will take up the void and trasfer the load.

Just an update--the support system will actually be more beefed up than I originally stated. It is being worked on right now. I'll try to get pictures and explanations up later.

For those not wanting corbels or legs...be very careful as plywood by itself is not sufficient support...you need additional support.

First, there's the "6 & 10 Rule":
If your slab is 2 cm, you can have up to a 6" overhang without support.
If your slab is 3 cm you can have up to a 10" overhang without support

Anything over these numbers needs to be supported. For example, with 3cm granite, if you have a 15" overhang you will need 5" corbels or other support so no more than 10" is unsupported.

If you don't want corbels or legs, consider the "CounterBalance" system instead.

See the following threads for more information on the above (and more!):

Thread: Stone Information and Advice (& Checklists)

Thread: Kevin - 'remember the 6 & 10 rule' [talks about the CounterBalance system, among others]

Thread: granite fabrication questions..what do you think! [also talks about the CounterBalance system, among others]

I have 5 of these brackets (from home depot) supporting ou 12" soapstone overhang....

{{!gwi}}

Google "Chemical Concepts Counter Balance Support" and see if this is something that might work. Here's a review from Stoneworld.

http://www.stoneworld.com/Articles/Products/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000300459