Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Steel And Stainless Steel?
The main differences between Steel and Stainless Steel is the corrosion resistance of stainless as compared to raw steel (or cold rolled steel). Stainless resists corrosion and does not require finish treatment to resist rusting. However, it is not "rust proof". Raw steel does require a finish such as painting, plating or galvanizing in order to inhibit rusting. There is little to no difference in carrying capacity between the two metals. Our stainless steel parts are finished with a brushed appearance. Raw cold rolled steel parts may have an oil coating when they arrive to prevent rust. They will need to be cleaned with soap and water prior to finishing.
How Does The Thickness Of A Federal Brace Bracket Compare To Competitors Found In Hardware Stores?
The common thickness used in metal brackets found in stores is around 11 gauge (.125 inches). While this thickness may be sufficient for most shelf applications, we would not suggest supporting your granite with it. Federal Brace countertop brackets are designed in ¼” (.25 inches) thick material, making them twice as thick as other brackets on the market.
When Can I Use The Freedom Style Brackets To Support My Counters?
Our Freedom Style countertop brackets are an excellent solution for creating the hidden bracket look to your countertop application. These brackets are intended to be hidden by covering the down flange of the bracket behind the fascia covering the backside of your cabinet or knee wall. However, it is important to understand that since this bracket design does not include a gusset or stiffener between the supporting flanges it has a higher frequency of deflection (flexing) than a gusseted support. For this reason, Federal Brace suggests limiting use of this bracket to support overhangs for counters that are supported on cabinetry or on a half (knee or pony) wall and do not extend past 20”. A general rule of thumb for this bracket is that ¾ of the weight should be supported by a cabinet base. While we can (and do) increase the thickness of the larger sized Freedom Brackets, this may not entirely answer the specifics associated with every application. If weight and deflection is a concern in your application we suggest contacting a design engineer specifically about your application.
Can I Return Products?
Federal Brace does accept returns on stock parts. Non-stock, made to order parts, or any products with modifications are not accepted as returns. All stock product returns will incur a 25% restocking fee deducted from the order. The remaining credit will be applied to the customer’s account or payment information. Please visit the Policy Page on our website for my information on returns.
Where Are Federal Brace Products Made?
All Federal Brace support products are made in the USA. We use ISO 9001:2008 certification standards in production to ensure that our products are the best quality available. Products will ship from either our North Carolina or Ohio distribution warehouse.
Why Are There No Holes On The Top Piece Of The Brackets, How Am I Going To Attach To The Countertop?
When installing your bracket, all you will need is an adhesive to put on the top flange. The RTV Clear Sealant adhesive forms a tough seal and has a high temperature resistance, perfect for indoor and outdoor installations. Unlike other adhesives, the RTV Clear Sealant will not crack or become brittle over time. In addition, RTV silicones are biologically inert and non corrosive, making them safe for use in residential or commercial kitchens.
Will Federal Brace Support Brackets And Corbels Hold My Countertop?
The outstanding quality and design of Federal Brace brackets are such that if a Federal Brace bracket cannot support your application, it’s likely no bracket can. Of course, there are special application considerations that must be attended to in designing brackets and some aspects may require special design features. For these types of bracket requirements, Federal Brace’s parent company, Short Run Pro, has the capability to custom manufacture a bracket specific to your design needs.
How Does Electrostatic Powder Coat Painting Differ From Spray On Paint?
In the electrostatic powder coat painting process, an electric charge is applied to the metal part and powder paint is sprayed on as it goes through the paint line. Due to the electric charge, the powder paint seeks out any bare spots and moves into as close a proximity to the surface as possible, resulting in a more even coat and longer lasting finish than standard spray paints.
Can I Paint My Raw Steel (CRS) Supports?
Federal Brace ships our raw steel (cold rolled steel) parts with an oil coating to prevent rust. These parts should be washed with soap and water prior to painting. After cleaning, the parts should be allowed to completely dry. You can finish the parts on location using any spray or brush paint that will adhere to metals. Most hardware, paint and large retail stores will carry paints suitable for painting metals.
Will I See Weld Marks On My Metal Supports Purchased From Federal Brace?
Unlike other brackets sold for countertop and shelf support, Federal Brace stainless steel brackets are manufactured so that weld marks are not visible from the front of the bracket. This enhances the beauty of the overall product and provides the finishing touch that sets Federal Brace brackets apart. While raw steel brackets will have visible weld heat marks, they can be covered with paint.
What Is The Weight Capacity Of Federal Brace Brackets?
Federal Brace can provide suggestions as to the general weight capacity of any bracket. Additional information can be found on the product specific page. However, due to the varying aspects and uses of countertop applications, we cannot guarantee that any bracket in our design will carry the specific amount of weight required for your project. If your application requires a specific capacity load, we suggest consulting a design engineer on-site to review your selected bracket and its use in your application.
Can I Review A Drawing Of A Federal Brace Bracket Before Ordering?
All drawings are proprietary and therefore we do not have them available to view. However, if there are specific dimensions that are not available through the website, please call 877-353-8899 to talk to a customer service representative about your specific application.
How Can I Pay For My Orders?
We accept Visa, Master Card, and American Express. Net 30 terms can be established for those customers purchasing on a regular basis by submitting a credit application for consideration. We are also able to ship ‘collect’ on your account if provided with your account number.
What Are The Quality Standards For Federal Brace Products?
All of our products have met our rigorous internal procedures that ensure quality and durability. The production team consists of certified welders led by experienced managers. The detailed inspection process ensures tight tolerance levels, strong welds, and high quality finishes.
Where can I read reviews or leave a review for Federal Brace?
We love to hear customer feedback! Visit our reviews page to see all of our recent reviews. During checkout, you’ll receive a message asking for feedback. After your order is delivered, we’ll follow up to ensure you received your order, and at that point you’ll have a chance to review your products. If you missed this survey, you can leave a merchant review for Federal Brace by clicking here, or visit the product page of the items you received and click the reviews tab to leave feedback on a specific product.
If you have a question we haven't answered here, contact us over the phone, or via email.
