Need help deciding. Particle board or plywood?

[modskwod 10+ year member]

Before anyone says anything, no, I can't get MDF. Closest lumberyard that carries it is 1.5 hours away from my town of 2000 people. Even if I did get there, I can only buy in 4x9 sheets, and i'd have to figure out how to get it home in a frickin prius.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif So, given my choices, particle board or plywood?

Click to read more...

 

[wu501 10+ year member]

no to the particle board. And the only plywood I would even suggest is birch-ply.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

mdf

 

[brtnboarder3241 5,000+ posts]

cut down the trees and make it yourself

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

baltic birch

 

[john denver 10+ year member]

Most places will cut it into more managable sizes for you

 

[headbussaboi 10+ year member]

Most places will cut it into more managable sizes for you

I went to Home Depot during slow hours and was able to get the guy there to cut my panels to specs. Slipped him a $5 tip. Or if all else fails, tell them you need the pieces to fit your Mini Cooper.

Birch is the substitute but given the 2 options above, I'd go with plywood and brace it well. I don't see partical board lasting too long unless you paste it with ALOT of fiberglass resin.

 

[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

I went to Home Depot during slow hours and was able to get the guy there to cut my panels to specs. Slipped him a $5 tip. Or if all else fails, tell them you need the pieces to fit your Mini Cooper.
Birch is the substitute but given the 2 options above, I'd go with plywood and brace it well. I don't see partical board lasting too long unless you paste it with ALOT of fiberglass resin.

In a town of 2000 I doubt homedepot is an option.

I totally agree with the plywood, and bracing.

 

[Highoutput]

or some cabinet grade plywood

 

[Pioneer~Saturn 5,000+ posts]

Definitely go with ply over particle board, should be just fine with some bracing (some simple bracing going up-down and acrossed the enclosure on the inside should do you good)

 

[revrider1 5,000+ posts]

Birch is nice

 

[9seconlives 10+ year member]

partical board is the crap that's left over after cutting everything else and glued/pressed together so they have a cheap wood "by product" that they can still sell.... it is 100% worthless IMO, excet for office furniture!!!! any solid wood (like birch mentioned above) just stay away from softies such as maple,pine,etc..... double layer the walls if needed. it's walays better to have toooooo much rather than be anywhere close to not enough.

 

[photocrazy8 10+ year member]

if no MDF 13 ply Marine Grade Baltic Birch about $130 a sheet //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[orangecounty1 10+ year member]

have someone build you a box of birch or mdf, and ship it to you.

or move to a real city.

 

[GAM3OVR 5,000+ posts]

have someone build you a box of birch or mdf, and ship it to you.
or move to a real city.

x2 about the box, not about the city part