Planning to build a platform for a safe. Needs to hold 500 lbs. and be 24 x 44 in dimension. Either 4” or 6” tall. Was thinking of 3/4” plywood base and then frame with 2×4 or 2×6 and run two 4×4 or 4×6 in the middle and finally topped with another plywood sheet. Would either carpet it or stain it. It will be on a carpeted floor.
Seems straight forward, but curious of any thoughts you may have on what I should consider for the wood, other plans or add-ons for stability, etc. TIA
Replies
That will work. If it's a tall safe, make sure you bolt it to the wall.
I'd just use framing timber.
You don't need anything bigger than a 2x4 unless you go for the taller stand.
250Kg is not that much weight really and wood is very, very strong in compression.
I have had heavy machine tools which weigh more than that safe delivered on pallets that were of similar construction.
Rob is right--you are building a pallet. 2x4s on 6-inch centers will be strong enough. That and the two sheets of 3/4 ply will give you a five-inch platform.
Of course, nobody has asked what you NEED a big safe for! Is that where you keep your Japanese chisels and heirloom planes?
“..you are building a pallet”….I prefer to call it a platform 🤣. And, yes, I am keeping my heirloom planes in said safe!
Thanks for the replies all. Any suggestion on type of plywood? Any 3/4” will do or should I be looking at specific wood? Or if I choose to stain it?
This might be a case where I would suggest MDF over plywood. MDF is incredibly dense where most plywood being poplar cored will probably crush under the weight. Since I'm sure the safe has 4 feet meaning the all the weight will be focused on 4 relatively small areas.
If you are putting this safe against a wall with carpet under it, you will need to take into account that the back edge of the base will be on the wood fastening strip under the carpet, and the front edge will be on the carpet padding. Hence the safe will compress the pad/carpet at the front more than the strip/carpet at the back. (Unless the carpet is glued directly to a concrete slab.)
If the safe has 4 feet, you need to support only those four areas. I would use strips of 3/4" dense hardwood (oak, maple,...) to carry the load.
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