Re: Installing pedestal seat bases
Two options that I believe in:<br /><br />1) Truly thru-bolt the bases to the floor and carefully seal the holes. Machine screws, wide washers and a lock nut on the underside. <br /><br />2) I would epoxy the extra ply to the floor as you described, mark the holes for the pedestal base, then drill them out with an oversized bit (2x or 3x the size of the screw) being careful to not drill completely through the ply. I would then fill the drilled holes with epoxy + filler (woodflour or silica or other structural filler). Once that is cured, I would then go back and drill for the pedestal base screws in the center of the epoxy filled holes. Attach the base with stainless wood screws and seal the screws with 3m 5200. <br /><br />Backing plate of ply or aluminum is fine. 3/4" ply is thicker than necessary, but it won't hurt if you have the room. <br /><br />Pedestal bases have always been a problem for me. Either they rip out because I didn't install them correctly or the screws eventually rip out because some moisture got into the screw hole and started to rot the wood around it. If you can't thru-bolt the bases, I found option 2 above works well.
<br /><br />What should I do to prepare the floor for these? I was thinking of putting a 3/4" 12"x12" backer under the 1/2" floor?<br /><br />What should I do? Thanks<br /><br />-John