Bench Unsupported Overhang

[Jim Eller]

I thought I would be done with this thing by now, but I still have questions.

The top is 2.75"x25"x96" and made from laminated ash. The four legs are 3.5"x5" and will be coplanar with the sides and will be the only points of contact with the top.

The question is how much overhang on the ends can you have and how far can you suspend in the middle without getting any sag?

All suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Jim

[Tom Cross]

I have 18" overhang on each end and 50" unsupported between legs. With a top that thick, I can't imagine any sag happening with 60" unsupported between legs.

[John Schreiber]

I just ran those numbers on the "Sagulator (http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm)." It showed that if you placed an ash slab as you described on legs 96" apart, then put 200 lbs on top of it, you would get a sag of 0.03" in the middle. 500 lbs is still less than a tenth of an inch.

I think that indicates that you are very safe with any variation on your plan.

I thought I'd be done with my bench by now too. I started in August and am pretty sure I'll be done (with phase I, drawers are for later) this month.

[Jim Eller]

"Sagulator"???? I thought you were joking:)

I guess I can put the legs any where I please. That's good to know.

Thanks Tom and John.

Jim in TN