Replies

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Jun 06, 2002 12:16am | #1

   Would be better to use piano hinge. Otherwise the load

   capacity may be limited by the cabinet hinges. If the plywood

   is fully supported on front and back edges, it will not

   sag with 50 to 100 pounds per square foot. You could have

   any number of fat people sitting side by side without problems.

   Make it as long as you want. If you want to use cabinet hinges,

   put a batten strip at the back that supports the back edge

   of the seat from underneath. Don't rely on 6 little number 4

   screws to hold up 400 pounds.

2. 
   tjcarcht | Jun 06, 2002 04:09am | #2

   Your wife will divorce you if she reads this so it may only be you in the end!  I'd say that it will be groaning at about 42" - 48" long unless there is additional support.  Battens underneath would help.

   T. Jeffery Clarke

   Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

1. 
   vdonovan2000 | Jun 06, 2002 06:21pm | #4

   Thanks all! 6 feet long is plenty. It will have a batten in the back, and use euro-style hinges (I found a cup hinge that also acts as a lid support). It was my wife who asked me in the first place if it was going to support "two fat people". She'll only divorce me if it sags when we're sitting on it. What a great forum.

3. 
   Davo304 | Jun 06, 2002 09:23am | #3

   My window seat is 22 inches deep, and just under 6 ft long. It is 3/4 red oak plywood and is also supported on all 4 sides. My hinges are mounted inside (underneath) the lid. They are the European style cup hinges. I always meant to install approx. three, 2-1/2 inch wide batten strips underneath the lid for added strength, but 4 years later...have never gotten around to it.

   When I'm not sitting on it (all 230 lbs) I have tons of books and magazines stacked on top, which weigh about the same ( got lots of reading material!). To make a long story longer....my seat has never ever sagged.

   Supported on all 4 sides you say?......"You have no worries mate!"

   Davo