light material for cupboards that has laminate look (not wood grain/plywood) but is not MDF?
mixedup said
12:20 PM Sep 2, 2016
Background: Aiming to make some cupboards using pine for frame and then sheeting this (as opposed to the all MDF approach re weight).
If I don't want a wood grain look (e.g. plywood) but rather want a more modern look (e.g. white) what material should I be looking for the sheeting/front faces? And where's a good place to buy? (effectively want the same look as in modern kitchens but not in the heavy MDF type approach)
Poppy sore eye said
02:20 PM Sep 2, 2016
Sorry I cant help,but I can support. I know its out there, I have seen it, lieterally weighs half as much as you expect when you first look at it.
Will be a great find if anyone can help.
Google light weight plywood for campers,you will find several finishes to choose from,and who supplies them.
hopefully this is what you are after.
Jeff
robol said
08:57 PM Sep 2, 2016
Hi mixedup. Gunnersons ( ply and mouldings ) have a light weight ply made for the caravan industry. They do have a gloss white, but if you are after that really high gloss look they have on kitchen cabinets then I'm sure you will find that it is a two pack finish. If you can get hold of meranti instead of pine for the frame, it would be better as it is still very light but doesn't move as much. I would favour the lighter pink colour meranti over the darker red colour timber as it tends to be lighter in weight. Caravan cabinets usually constructed with--- ( Carcass ) outer skin 3mm ply, centre 19mm timber, inner skin 3mm ply---( Doors ) 2x3mm ply with surround of moulding with 6mm rebate for ply. I used a bead of silicon around perimeter of ply inserts with a dob in the centre to give it some rigidity, also used fine bead of silicon in rebate of moulding. Mitres were biscuit jointed, glued, held in place with staples to rear of mitre, squared and then clamped until dry. One door at a time due to number of clamps used.( both sash and g clamps used)
I used "E-LITE", polyestyer finish ply, the other one I can think of is "Resilience".
NCE sell a door mould with a 6mm rebate which will take a double thickness ( 2x3mm ) ply, although they will only supply to the trade, which forces you to buy through a caravan manufacturer.
Gunnersons 112 Salmon St. Port Melb. Vic. 03 9647 9930
NCE 34-48 Stanley Drive Somerton Vic. 1300 366 024
Hope this might be some help. If it is then PM with ph.no. if you want as its easier by phone.
Cheers Rob.
kezngaz said
02:52 AM Sep 3, 2016
Plyboard.
We needed to replace our fridge insert as the microwave punched a hole in it as it fell!!!
The guy at our local caravan spares place said 'i can sell you one that will cost you a small fortune, or you can go bunnings and buy a sheet of it for 7 bucks'
So we did, we cut it down and it looks like it was a 100 dollar job.
Worth a look i suppose?
Kezngaz.
banjo said
11:03 AM Sep 3, 2016
Do a google for "foamed" pvc sheet, white gloss colour, very tough, lightweight, waterproof and washable, never rots, warps etc and good price.
Can be glued, screwed etc.
mezza56 said
11:38 AM Sep 3, 2016
YOU CAN USE ALUCOBOND / DIBOND all brand names , but its aluminium composite panel in 1200 x 2400 1200 x 3600 1500 x 3000 and other sizes its alum / pvc / alum sandwich they are making caravans with it now, comes in varying thicknesses . You have to shop around for best prices . We owned a sign business for 15 years and we started using it maybe 8 years ago .
You can router it and form cnrs with no visible joins , we used it on pylon signs and in shopping centres comes in various colours in matte and gloss.
mixedup said
09:24 PM Sep 3, 2016
rgren2 - I was trying to avoid MDF after reading it's not recommended for bumpy/caravan situation to do with holding screws in place as firmly (not sure if it's true)
robol - thanks for some great pointers - re the 'gloss white' from Gunnersons I couldn't quite see it on the site?
mezza56 - interesting idea re aluminium composite - I do have some left over..
Closest thing I've specifically found so far is: "White Backing Material - Polyester Plywood" from http://dmkforestproducts.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DMK-NPL-JULY-2016.pdf (page 5 of catalogue)
Don't forget to take into account how you will finish your framework , fix spring loaded stays, door catches, etc, etc.
The gloss should be one of the Elite or Resiliance range. I did have some samples of these which I will try to locate and possibly trace a stock number, but it won't be until late in the week.
When I did the interior of my bus, I tried to give consideration to the red dust that seems to be everywhere up north and stains indelibly.
I would recommend staying well away from MDF or Particle Board for use in caravans or motorhomes. It doesn't cope well with the vibration.
I found the Duralite system to be too expensive for myself, although a very good system and well thought out.
Cheers Robol.
Peter_n_Margaret said
08:56 PM Sep 4, 2016
I built all the furniture in the OKA from fibreglass sandwich panel. It is fully structural and forms part of the strength of the body.
rgren2 - I was trying to avoid MDF after reading it's not recommended for bumpy/caravan situation to do with holding screws in place as firmly (not sure if it's true)
robol - thanks for some great pointers - re the 'gloss white' from Gunnersons I couldn't quite see it on the site?
mezza56 - interesting idea re aluminium composite - I do have some left over..
Closest thing I've specifically found so far is: "White Backing Material - Polyester Plywood" from http://dmkforestproducts.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DMK-NPL-JULY-2016.pdf (page 5 of catalogue)
Not true if you use the correct screws, Director Screws are better than chipboard screws especially if screws need to be removed from time to time. However, Director Screws require a two step drill bit. You can also get plastic colour caps for the end of them that have a shank that goes into the head so the caps don't need glue to hold them in like star caps do sometimes. MDF on the other hand is heavy, from memory over 25kg for a 8 x 4 shhet in 16mm, so, not great for a light weight build.
As others have suggested a composite panel might be the go. I'd suggest one with a dense foam core but not a styrene foam core, the Duralite sugestion looks good and I'd say the director screws could be used in some places due to its coarse thread.
Director Screw: Director Screw Drill Bit:
Chipboard Screws:
-- Edited by madaboutled on Wednesday 7th of September 2016 10:22:04 AM
I consider MDF and chip board totally unsuitable.
Excessively heavy, poor structural capability, and poor tolerance to water.
Cheers,
Peter
madaboutled said
05:23 PM Sep 9, 2016
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
I consider MDF and chip board totally unsuitable. Excessively heavy, poor structural capability, and poor tolerance to water.
Cheers, Peter
For a caravan can't argue with MDF being excessively heavy, but poor structural capability.... really!
Having worked as a cabinet maker for a number of years including converting buses/coaches to motorhomes and previously worked for the likes of Laminex Industries for over 10 years my product knowledge tells me that it would greatly depend on the application, design and construction methods. As for poor tolerance to water, that too would depend on the grade of MDF (Plain, Moisture Resistant - MR or Highly Moisture Resistant - HMR), all of which must take into account application considerations for the design and how the edges and surfaces are treated during construction what fixings are used as so the list goes on.
Background: Aiming to make some cupboards using pine for frame and then sheeting this (as opposed to the all MDF approach re weight).
If I don't want a wood grain look (e.g. plywood) but rather want a more modern look (e.g. white) what material should I be looking for the sheeting/front faces? And where's a good place to buy? (effectively want the same look as in modern kitchens but not in the heavy MDF type approach)
Will be a great find if anyone can help.
just gave them a call - they do plywood & laminate separately, but not the thin laminated plywood as a product
How about this stuff?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=3%20mm%20white%20melamine&redirectFrom=Any
Google light weight plywood for campers,you will find several finishes to choose from,and who supplies them.
hopefully this is what you are after.
Jeff
I used "E-LITE", polyestyer finish ply, the other one I can think of is "Resilience".
NCE sell a door mould with a 6mm rebate which will take a double thickness ( 2x3mm ) ply, although they will only supply to the trade, which forces you to buy through a caravan manufacturer.
Gunnersons 112 Salmon St. Port Melb. Vic. 03 9647 9930
NCE 34-48 Stanley Drive Somerton Vic. 1300 366 024
Hope this might be some help. If it is then PM with ph.no. if you want as its easier by phone.
Cheers Rob.
We needed to replace our fridge insert as the microwave punched a hole in it as it fell!!!
The guy at our local caravan spares place said 'i can sell you one that will cost you a small fortune, or you can go bunnings and buy a sheet of it for 7 bucks'
So we did, we cut it down and it looks like it was a 100 dollar job.
Worth a look i suppose?
Kezngaz.
Can be glued, screwed etc.
YOU CAN USE ALUCOBOND / DIBOND all brand names , but its aluminium composite panel in 1200 x 2400 1200 x 3600 1500 x 3000 and other sizes its alum / pvc / alum sandwich they are making caravans with it now, comes in varying thicknesses . You have to shop around for best prices . We owned a sign business for 15 years and we started using it maybe 8 years ago .
You can router it and form cnrs with no visible joins , we used it on pylon signs and in shopping centres comes in various colours in matte and gloss.
rgren2 - I was trying to avoid MDF after reading it's not recommended for bumpy/caravan situation to do with holding screws in place as firmly (not sure if it's true)
robol - thanks for some great pointers - re the 'gloss white' from Gunnersons I couldn't quite see it on the site?
mezza56 - interesting idea re aluminium composite - I do have some left over..
Closest thing I've specifically found so far is: "White Backing Material - Polyester Plywood" from http://dmkforestproducts.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DMK-NPL-JULY-2016.pdf (page 5 of catalogue)
The gloss should be one of the Elite or Resiliance range. I did have some samples of these which I will try to locate and possibly trace a stock number, but it won't be until late in the week.
When I did the interior of my bus, I tried to give consideration to the red dust that seems to be everywhere up north and stains indelibly.
I would recommend staying well away from MDF or Particle Board for use in caravans or motorhomes. It doesn't cope well with the vibration.
I found the Duralite system to be too expensive for myself, although a very good system and well thought out.
Cheers Robol.
I built all the furniture in the OKA from fibreglass sandwich panel.
It is fully structural and forms part of the strength of the body.
Cheers,
Peter
Not true if you use the correct screws, Director Screws are better than chipboard screws especially if screws need to be removed from time to time. However, Director Screws require a two step drill bit. You can also get plastic colour caps for the end of them that have a shank that goes into the head so the caps don't need glue to hold them in like star caps do sometimes. MDF on the other hand is heavy, from memory over 25kg for a 8 x 4 shhet in 16mm, so, not great for a light weight build.
As others have suggested a composite panel might be the go. I'd suggest one with a dense foam core but not a styrene foam core, the Duralite sugestion looks good and I'd say the director screws could be used in some places due to its coarse thread.
Director Screw:
Director Screw Drill Bit: 
Chipboard Screws:
-- Edited by madaboutled on Wednesday 7th of September 2016 10:22:04 AM
Excessively heavy, poor structural capability, and poor tolerance to water.
Cheers,
Peter
For a caravan can't argue with MDF being excessively heavy, but poor structural capability.... really!
Having worked as a cabinet maker for a number of years including converting buses/coaches to motorhomes and previously worked for the likes of Laminex Industries for over 10 years my product knowledge tells me that it would greatly depend on the application, design and construction methods. As for poor tolerance to water, that too would depend on the grade of MDF (Plain, Moisture Resistant - MR or Highly Moisture Resistant - HMR), all of which must take into account application considerations for the design and how the edges and surfaces are treated during construction what fixings are used as so the list goes on.