RV cabinet material?

**BroncoHauler** · 10-21-2009, 08:10 PM

Aesthetics aside, has anyone explored the use of cutting board material (HDPE) to build cabinets in an RV? Can be found in large sheets of various thicknesses, and seems like easily workable material, but in a quick search, I didn't find a spec sheet on it in order to compare the weight of a sheet of it versus a sheet of plywood.

http://thecuttingboardfactory.com/miva/ ... y_Code=3WS

Not looking to do any cabinet building, but just wondering about alternative materials.

Herb

jage · 10-21-2009, 08:32 PM

Linky brokey...

**BroncoHauler** · 10-21-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jage

Linky brokey...

Work for me, but here it is again.

http://thecuttingboardfactory.com/miva/ ... y_Code=3WS

Here's the central link:
http://thecuttingboardfactory.com/

Herb

vwteleman · 10-22-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco_hauler

I didn't find a spec sheet on it in order to compare the weight of a sheet of it versus a sheet of plywood.

Based on shipping weights on their website (which may or may not include packing materials), it appears to weigh about 2½ lbs per square foot (for ½" thickness), or a tad over 80 lbs for a 4x8 sheet. More than a typical sheet of plywood, but perhaps slightly less than MDF.

Brent

Greggd · 10-22-2009, 10:51 PM

Herb ,
this material is heavy , does not adhere well , needs special fastener's and can take a thermal set . We extrude this and numerous other polymers . Some of them are able to be welded either with the Hot Air Process or Sonically . There is a very stable material used for marine fabrication that is called King Star Board . Very Stable material and works much like wood products with the exception that it is polymer .I have used it in several marine applications and for a couple of the floor pieces on old Con Ferr Roof Racks . www.kingplastic.com
Greggde

**BroncoHauler** · 10-26-2009, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the info. It just seems there has to be a more stable, moisture tolerant, lighter material out there than MDF and/or particle board. The King Star board looks like an interesting option, though I'm not sure there's any weight savings.

Herb

mjeffrey · 10-26-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco_hauler

It just seems there has to be a more stable, moisture tolerant, lighter material out there than MDF and/or particle board.

Yes! It's plywood

Plywood is actually an amazing material. It's more moisture tolerant than solid wood - harder to warp, shrink, crack, etc. It's quite lightweight, especially considering its strength.

You can build beautiful things out of a good-quality sheet of plywood. Boats, airplanes, furniture, cabinetry, even entire houses.

Cheers!
Mike.

SheepShagger · 10-26-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjeffrey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco_hauler

It just seems there has to be a more stable, moisture tolerant, lighter material out there than MDF and/or particle board.

Yes! It's plywood

Plywood is actually an amazing material. It's more moisture tolerant than solid wood - harder to warp, shrink, crack, etc. It's quite lightweight, especially considering its strength.

You can build beautiful things out of a good-quality sheet of plywood. Boats, airplanes, furniture, cabinetry, even entire houses.

Cheers!
Mike.

Exactly. MDF is not a good material for RV's for many different reasons, (heavy, weak, swells badly with moisture, list goes on.) but it's cheap, so it's used. Plywood, is a far better material.

unimogdave · 10-26-2009, 10:06 PM

It was a no brainer for me Plywood is the best price to weight ratio out their. MDF sucks, their is a water proof version and different weight but still doesnt take a screw well. I am using 1/2 inch 6 ply that has a birch veneer on both sides,this as nice as Baltic birch or marine grade. Is strarnge but it turned up at my lumber yard as a shop grade for 32.00 a sheet!!!!!and in several month is not available, I lucked out and got 6 sheets. I have been laminating formica on one face and it working great.

Dave