How to Attach Granite to Table?

Toxarch

I have a granite remnant from my kitchen. It's roughly 18"x32"x1-1/8" and I plan to use it on the front edge of the table.
When the installers put the counters in my kitchen, I think they used an epoxy to attach the granite directly to the cabinets. There is a mesh net glued to the middle of the remnant piece already, similar to the counters they installed. Everything online seems to show a plywood top and then the granite glued on top using silicone. I was planning to make a 2x4 frame under the granite to support and attach to but now I am not sure. So what is the better way to do it? Plywood on a frame under the granite or just the frame?
The top will overhang the front and one side with a 3" lip. Therefore it needs to be attached somehow because it will be moved around on casters. I am a little worried about stuff getting in the gap between the wood tabletop and the granite. Thought about filling it with silicone or urethane. Not sure how the urethane will react to the wood expanding and shrinking. The wood counter will be biscuit joined and glued to make a solid wood surface.
I would be fine with silicone. Might be able to remove the granite piece later if needed.

blasting

My 2 cents would be silicone.  Silicone can be cut, and scraped off.  I've used silicone for several granite tables / inlays etc. Never had any troubles.

good luck

edit: silicone for the gap as well.  It may attract dirt, but you wouldn't  have to worry about spills etc

nolaegghead

I've done hundreds of feet of counter top, mostly for labs I've built.  And I've had to take them apart.  Pros use silicone.  Holds it tight, easy to detach.  Do not use epoxy or liquid nails unless you're sadistic to whoever has to detach the top

YukonRon

Totally agree, Silicone is the smart choice for countertops. If you can find it, try the anti microbial version, especially if there are seams on or around the surface.

Begger

Nolaegghead:
Don't labs generally use Soapstone?   It's pretty inert and very tough to stain.  

But otherwise?   2x on the Silicone.     

DoofusOfTheDay

silicone and gravity works well with granite.

Jeepster47

YukonRon said:

... If you can find it, try the anti microbial version, especially if there are seams on or around the surface.

Totally agree with Ron.  Check out Lowes for the anti microbial stuff.

Toxarch

Looks like I'm going silicone. Thanks for the input.

nolaegghead

Begger said:

Nolaegghead:
Don't labs generally use Soapstone?   It's pretty inert and very tough to stain.  

But otherwise?   2x on the Silicone.     

@Begger We generally use an epoxy resin-based top.  We edge join them with 2-part epoxy but they're attached to the casework with silicone.  Just dabs here and there.  You don't want to lay a bead.

Toxarch

I think I am going to make the granite 1/8" taller than the wood table. The granite has a slightly rounded top edge. Making the granite sit up just a hair higher than the wood will make the seam a lot more attractive. It might mean any spilled liquids are guaranteed to spill over to the wood, but it's a cooking table so it's not a huge deal I guess.

Here's the granite remnant if anyone cares. Roughly 18"x32". There will be a 5" lip on the front of the granite and a 2" lip in the wood table to the left in front of the egg. Blue tape marks the table under the granite. Ignore the tape in the middle.