Laminate

[idunno]

Hi I'm a beginner,

I want to finish MDF boards with nice, glossy, and easy way. I'm thinking of laminate.

Can anyone advise me on:
- where I can buy laminate sheet?
- what brand is good?
- price I expect to pay?
- how easy to work?

Thanks, I'm in Sydney...

[journeyman Mick]

idunno,
what are you making, and have you already bought your MDF sheets? Unless you are making counter tops or something subjected to as lot of wear (horizontal surfaces) you may be able to use a predecorated MDF board. This is coated on both sides with melamine and comes in a variety of colours. This will work out a lot cheaper than buying MDF and applying laminate to it. A few details will help people give you more informed advice.

Mick

[Trav]

you might even be able to buy pre-laminated MDF or particle board. Try looking at www.laminex.com.au. They have outlets all over the place and may have what you need.

You can buy normal laminex sheets from them too - they are not too hard to apply, but you'll need a router/trimmer to finish the edges (I guess you could also do it with a file).

You also need to consider how you are going to cut the sheets - do you have access to a tablesaw etc?

good luck

Trav

[idunno]

I want to make cover for my fish tank stand. It's about 2450x765x700mm. The stand is steel and I want to make it like a cabinet. My plan is to place removable panels of board with nice finish (it's in a living room). I'm planning to use magnet or velcro to hold the panels as I need frequent access.

My original aim is to have a mirror like finish. But it sounds like to much work. The laminate is just another option I'm venturing. Can I get the laminated MDF in Bunnings? The panels don't need to be thick. 5mm will do. How much do I expect to pay?

I had a look at laminex before but hadn't made any enquiry. I don't have a table saw or a router. Only a drill, mitre saw, & sander.

Thanks all!

[journeyman Mick]

idunno,
you can readily get prefinished (melamine) bourd in 16mm thickness in a huge range of colours. There's also a smaller range available in 9mm thickness and as an alternative there's a pretty good range of 17mm board available in timber veneer. Given the tools you have available it might pay to measure it all up and pay a cabinetmaker to cut and supply it all complete with matching edging for all the exposed board edges.

Mick