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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: upper2bits on July 30, 2011, 10:02:44 am

Title: Is Particleboard okay if I'm using laminate over it?
Post by: upper2bits on July 30, 2011, 10:02:44 am

I want the t-molding to line up and I can't find 5/8 mdf or plywood so I'm stuck with Particleboard.  If one side will have laminate is Particleboard okay to use?

Title: Re: Is Particleboard okay if I'm using laminate over it?
Post by: upper2bits on July 30, 2011, 10:06:20 am

Actually, doing a little more reading it it appears that the laminate is only 1/32" think so 3/4 MDF with that might fit with 3/4 t-molding.  No?

Title: Re: Is Particleboard okay if I'm using laminate over it?
Post by: upper2bits on July 30, 2011, 10:20:49 am

More reading, would it work to just use 3/4 mdf, 1/16 laminate and then get 13/16 tmodling?

Title: Re: Is Particleboard okay if I'm using laminate over it?
Post by: JRChristenson on July 30, 2011, 11:56:26 am

I used particleboard for my painted bartop and it's coming out fine. I would definitely use it if I was laminating, much cheaper than mdf or plywood.

Title: Re: Is Particleboard okay if I'm using laminate over it?
Post by: Knightlore on July 30, 2011, 12:02:16 pm

Well I took delivery a few weeks ago of a pre-build cocktail cab, it's laminated particle board (or chipboard as we call it over here) and it's absolutely fine, very sturdy indeed.

Title: Re: Is Particleboard okay if I'm using laminate over it?
Post by: syph007 on July 31, 2011, 09:51:32 am

my experience is that it is just ok.  The edges of it have a tendency to crumble.  I now only use it for mockups or templating.  MDF holds up better, but its nastier to work with, which is why I use particle board still for some jobs.  Routing the t-molding slot in particle board wont leave as nice of slot as other material.  But yes it will be covered up.  So I guess its probably fine, but I wouldnt recommend.

Edit:  Looks like pinballjim is using particleboard.  See the edges for what I was talking about. 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113417.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113417.0)