How many of you use plywood (and what thickness, 3/8, 1/2, etc.) vs. MDF board for your tablet tops and why do you prefer one over the other??
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 Griffrph |
Slot Car Track Table TOP Material Selection?? |
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Posts: 74 (04/29/08 03:57 PM) |
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Teamsterjohn |
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Posts: 560 (04/29/08 04:15 PM) Home Racing Guru! |
I have 1/2 inch plywood that is primed and painted, why? it works for me I guess.
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GayBlade69 |
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Posts: 169 (04/29/08 05:17 PM) Home Racing Forum Veteran |
Hey mate,
I use Plywood, have used 1/2 inch on one and 1/4 inch on the latest lightweight one I've built. I prefer ply over MDF because its very robust and there is that question mark over MDF regarding cancer (the dust from it)....
Later,
Rupert.... 
ALTHOUGH MY WAZZER DON'T WORK NO MORE, I INTEND TO "KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE" My favourite place on the Internet is.... HOME RACING WORLD |
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oldstromguy |
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Posts: 1550 (04/29/08 05:31 PM) Home Racing Guru! |
In one location I have a 4'x8' table with 3/8" MDF as the top. I wanted the smoothness and clean appearance of MDF because that table is sometimes
set up in one of the bedrooms. It lies flat against the wall when not in use.
For the table I'm in the process of building I'm using 1/2" (actually, 15/32") plywood. Why? Because I plan to climb around on the plywood table which will be 8' x 16'. Also, it is on my basement so appearance is not as much of a concern as the MDF table. dennis |
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raceeng18.pockit |
Slot Car track table Top | ||
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Posts: 40 (04/29/08 07:06 PM) |
I used 1/2 ply for my three tables. I find myself crawling around on top to apply the copper foil tape and to do scenery work. I was worried that any thing
else wouldn't hold my 200 plus pounds. The plywood takes paint , hot glue, and whatever else I throw at it.
Joe |
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slider2 |
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Posts: 958 (04/29/08 07:22 PM) Home Racing Guru! |
Plywood has more structural integrity than MDF, But MDF is smoother, more consistent and does not have surface grain. It's possible that under constantly
changing ambient moisture conditions the grain can raise on plywood. I built my main supporting structure out of 1/4" plywood for a deck, with a 1x4"
subframe spaced 2' OC, and I can crawl around on it. The actual roadbed is "Cookie Cuttered" out of 3/8" MDF on top of the plywood screwed
down directly to the deck in the flatlands, or to risers for elevation changes.
Greg
Last Edited By: slider2
04/29/08 07:26 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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SJSlots |
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Posts: 1956 (04/29/08 09:07 PM) HRW Feature Editor! |
Half inch plywood here, covered in a loop style green carpet bought at Home Depot.
" If you can't beat em'.... beat ON them!"
Shawn@HomeRacingWorld.com Cincinnati, Ohio U.S.A -------------
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TomSetzer |
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Posts: 550 (04/30/08 04:34 AM) Home Racing Guru! |
I use 3/8" Plywood, because it makes for a strong table top, and is still easy to work with.
--
Ragnar Tom Slot Car Realm - http://www.slotcarrealm.com/ First you have to finish, to finish first. |
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cincyslots |
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Posts: 1549 (04/30/08 06:26 AM) CincySlots Big Cheese |
Plywood for sure.
Bruce |
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lbowles2 |
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Posts: 312 (04/30/08 10:33 AM) Home Racing Guru! |
I'm using MDF but only because I already had it. In the past I had purchased OSB board from Home Depot for $5 or $6 a sheet and it worked just fine.
Larry |
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blueaxe |
Slot Car Track Table TOP Material Selection?? | ||
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Posts: 965 (07/09/27 02:09 PM) Home Racing Guru! |
I went the same route as Shawn, 1/2" CDX ply covered in green indoor/outdoor carpet. The track lays right on top of that.
MDF is great stuff, but not as tough as ply, it needs more support, (it will sag over time) It also absorbs moisture at a much greater rate, plus it costs more. I think MDF is the material of choice for a routed layout, but for a simple tabletop that might have to support not only the track, but occasionally the driver  , I would recommend plywood, (at least 1/2")  .....................Blueaxe
You only let off the gas to keep the wheels from spinning...
Timing is Everything |
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