Try angle iron brackets instead of just flat. 1 inch angle iron notched at the bend and welded may be stiff enough. Flat metal does not have all that much stiffness until you get to VERY thick pieces.

YOu have several options. Not to have any support is not one of the options. The pic of the embedded steel is one option. However, if the steel is not anchored to the cabinet it's little more than an expensive way to rod the stone (which is usually done with small diameter steel rod.) For actual structural support you need corbels or steel that is securely anchored to the cabinetry. This is quite possible and the underside of the stone can be relieved (hollowed out) if you choose although the steel supports need only be 1/2 0r 3/8" thick so burying them in the stone actually makes for a weaker assembly. the trick to low profile supports is getting a cabinet structure which will provide an adequate anchor points for the bolts holding the steel bars. This is usually not available without some additional structure built into the cabinets. While it doesn't sound like a concern for your project it can also be important to have the cabinetry securely anchored. It's not uncommon for a raised bar to have only a half wall as the primary support structure and if you want to hang off a large overhang you need to make sure the stone doesn't want to tip the whole structure (cabinet plus stone) over. Seems like an obvious consideration to me but it's not for a lot of people.

I would strongly recommend AGAINST buying ANY CounterBalance product... they will completely hose the homeowner / DYI consumer. Just compare the price for the brackets between http://counterbalanceshop.com and http://www.chemical-concepts.com/counterbalance.php The same product will cost you $114 at the first site and $81 at the second. Really??? THEY ARE BOTH THE SAME VENDOR. I tried to place an order based upon the info on the Chemical site (didn't even know about the counterbalance site) and they wouldn't honor the price posted. Don't do business with this vendor who isn't interested in doing business with you. Vendor's words: "I could care less about" selling to consumers. STAY AWAY !!! Find a local machine shop who is interested in doing business at a fair price/profit. The product is a VERY simple job for any machine shop to produce. Chemical concepts doesn't even make the product -- they sell glue. For the person who wanted to know where they could get metal support bars, here is an option: http://metalworking.mscdirect.com/CGI/MWSRCH?N=32003649 I don't have any experience with them, so I don't know if their prices/policies are good or bad. I just found them from doing a bit of searching.

Thanks to those who provided specific input :) . Lowes Canada doesn't source the Federal Brace 8-in x 2-in Plain Steel Countertop Support Bracket. Any suggestions for Canadian sources of those? Or equivalent? Trebuchet, I assume I would need three of the Federal Brace 8-in x 2-in brackets? Could I install the plywood inside the cabinets (there is room)? Is there a reason why I wouldn't use the "L" shaped granite support brackets that don't have the cross-brace (knee knocking) like the example below? What about this Ekena Millwork 2"x8"x8" Hamilton Bracket? Price is good. Cold-rolled steel and it's supposed to be appropriate for granite. Is there any way to evaluate the many different brands of cold-rolled steel granite brackets? I am still trying to understand is shimming the bracket end(s) will be required to get a snug fit to the granite, and if so how would that be done? Kudzu, that supplier doesn't ship to Canada unfortunately. This post was edited by feisty68 on Mon, Dec 29, 14 at 13:32