Attach replacement dishwasher to granite countertop

  I bought a new dishwasher. The old one was attached to the granite
countertop via two machine screws and metal "brackets".
These brackets are nothing but a metal square with a fixed nut attached. The
bracket is mounted under countertop with some epoxy, then a screw goes
through the dishwasher clips into the nut. Real easy.

In their infinite wisdom, dishwasher manufacturers decided to not have a
standard spacing of the clips. The clips on my new dishwasher are about 4"
further apart. So, now I have a few options.

1) Install a second set of brackets besides the old one. There is plenty of
space for this, but (a) I don't have any of the brackets, and the local home
improvement store doesn't seem to carry them and (b) what if I ever need to
install a dishwasher with yet another clip spacing?

2) Install a wood rail (with epoxy), then use a wood screw through the
dishwasher clips into the rail. The nice thing with a rail is that I don't
have to worry about a bracket being in the exact right spot. However, the
existing brackets make it difficult to install the rail, I'd have to route
out some pieces so it fits snug over the brackets.  This is still preferable
to taking down the existing brackets, the epoxy is very tough. I'm not crazy
about wood though. It will be a damp, warm area (steam), so the wood would
need to be prepared with a good stain and or/ varnish. Also, wood screws
tend to loosen over time, whereas a bolt/ nut is pretty much permanent.

3) Install a metal strip (1/2" wide) using the existing brackets. This strip
would be long enough so that I can drill holes at the ends of the strip
where the dishwasher clips will be attached. It's easy to install (plenty of
room between dishwasher and countertop), uses a bolt & nut, and best of all,
I can drill additional holes in the strip should I replace the dishwasher in
the future.

My only concern with the metal strip is that it's slightly flexible, i.e.
will "give" a little. But...we're only talking 2" beyond the bracket.
I checked out what's available in the hardware store, I could go either with
aluminum or steel. Aluminum is lighter and easier to use, steel is much more
rigid but more difficult to cut to size etc. I didn't measure the thickness,
but it's about 3 credit cards thick, pretty solid.

Should I be concerned about not having the clips mounted against something
not completely rigid? Is there an option 4?

Thanks!

 
Bas Pluim wrote:

You're close to a solution......expanding on your steel strip idea

use a 1/2" x 1/2"  square aluminum tube as your "metal strip"..... a
lot stiffer than a steel strip of any reasonable thickness & a lot
easier to drill

Mount the tube behind the existing brackets & just screw thru the new
dishwasher

this should work fine unless I'm not understanding the installation
geometry


btw removing epoxy is really simple....slowing heat the brackets to
170F+  and the stuff will soften...scrape it off

cheers
Bob

  Bob,

This is a brilliant idea!!!! I took a U-shaped piece of aluminum, drilled
two holes in it, and mounted it using the existing brackets (the open piece
part of the "tube" faces the countertop, over the existing brackets/ nuts).
It's not quite flush (the brackets are about 1/16" thick), but it looks
great.

I also drilled holes at the edges of the "tube" for the dishwasher clips.
Epoxied two nuts inside the tube so that I don't have to fiddle with a
wrench. Now just waiting for the epoxy to harden before I install it, but
the dry fit looked good. Very strong, no flexing.

Thanks!

 
Bas Pluim wrote:

Forget the nuts.... I'd use a coarse thread sheet metal screw & be done
with it.

It ain't goin' to be removed a replaced very often.

Use a #10 (or #12 if the hole is already too big)

cheers
Bob

 
Bas Pluim wrote:

Buy the optional "side mount" brackets for your dishwasher and screw it
into the two cabinets on either side.  No sense reinventing the wheel.

http://www.vincistone.com/marble_and_granite/faq.htm#dishwasher