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Materials and wood thickness for cab?
shponglefan:
I was wondering what material people typically build their cabs from and what thickness of wood. I had planned on using 5/8" thick for the sides, since I wanted to laminate both sides. This would bring the total thickness to 3/4", perfect for 3/4" T-molding.
For the CP, I was thinking 1/2", plus laminate on both sides, plus 1/8" acrylic on top. Therefore, this would also total 3/4" thick.
For material, I notice HD only has 4x8 MDF and spruce plywood in 5/8" thick (plus particle board, but not going there...). MDF is on the heavy side, so for the sides I'd to keep things lighter if possible. Anyone used spruce plywood? Any other types of plywood that would be more ideal, but not as heavy as MDF?
versapak:
I built mine out of 3/4" MDF, but would never ever go that route again.
MDF is the messiest pain in the *** to work with.
If I were to build another, it would be plywood all the way. Still 3/4" though, as 3/4" t-molding is the easier to come by standard.
MaximRecoil:
If you want to combine the advantages of MDF (smooth) with the advantages of plywood (light and strong), use MDO.
doctorhifi:
MDO (Medium Density Overlay) plywood is a form of overlaid plywood. What this means is that MDO plywood starts with a core of overlapping veneer, much like traditional veneer core plywood. But instead of having a surface veneer of finished woodgrain, MDO plywood features a surface layer of medium density fiber, much like MDF.
It's designed to give the high structural integrity, reduced weight, and superior screw-holding ability of a plywood product but with the excellent surface paintability of MDF.
MDO's skin is tougher (impregnated resin) than MDF, so it resists damage better.
A 3/4" 4x8 sheet of MDF weighs around 90lbs while the same sheet of MDO weighs around 71lbs.
shponglefan:
Cool, I'll see if any local stores have MDO. I don't think I saw any at the HDs I went to, but fortunately there are some other stores to visit. As long as I can get it in 5/8", I'm happy.