No More Ply Boards

[AlanG]

Anyone used these for diorama bases? If so what did you seal it with.

Trying to get something that is about 75cm x 56cm so i have to buy as cheap as i can get

[Guest]

Used what for a diorama base? Plywood boards? Yes, I have

If you want as cheap as possible, chipboard is probably your best option, plus some wood edge moulding that you can cut to size with a saw and mitre box.

[AlanG]

Jakko the item is was on about is called 'no more ply'. It's an alternative to plywood.

I was going to go for MDF for a dio base.It looks cheap in B&Q. Not tried the local wood centres yet though.

[stillp]

It's a waterproof backing for wall tiles, so should be OK for dioramas.
Pete

[Mr Bowcat]

MDF is like a sponge so would need to be sized first.

[AlanG]

Sized? Did you mean sealed?

[Mr Bowcat]

Yes. Sorry, sized is an old decorating term I got from my dad who was a painter and decorator. It just means sealed. For example, you would size fresh plaster with thinned PVA or wallpaper paste before painting.

[AlanG]

Ah ok. So would i use neat pva or would i dilute it a little for MDF?

[scottie3158]

If you cut or sand MDF where a mask the dust can be harmful I believe

[Mr Bowcat]

Diluted would be fine, it should soak in to the first couple of mm of the wood.

Any yes, wear a mask if you are cutting it. MDF dust is nasty.

[monica]

I use what ever I find,or is cheat to get,ply,MDF,or other types as well,mostly try for about 12mm thickness,
with MDF,I seal with pva,and news paper,or you can coat with a cheap paint first,
as Paul said,I do think it has arsenic in it,as a lot of woods do,
also as said by Paul also,

If you cut or sand MDF where a mask the dust can be harmful I believe

real a most believe me,:smiling:

[AlanG]

If you cut or sand MDF where a mask the dust can be harmful I believe

Any yes, wear a mask if you are cutting it. MDF dust is nasty.

Truth be told you should wear a mask cutting any wood. Fine particulates are not fun in the lungs. Ask me how i know. Working on the farm we have to be really careful about farmers lung (dust from straw and feed)

[JR]

Morning , as I worked with mdf for at least 20 years or more I know a little about it .:smiling3::nerd:
Made from sawdust either softwood and hardwoods and bonded under high pressure The glue used in MDF is usually urea formaldehyde (UF). UF is a solid chemical made from a mixture of urea and formaldehyde. Not good to breath !!!!!!

The most important thing as has been said is using a mask, in the workshop when cutting sheet after sheet I used to wear a full face mask with filters . Mdf comes in many types these days, there is a funiture grade that is formaldehyde free Most of your kitchen doors will be made from mdf and then covered with a viny material or painted , if not made from solid timber .

The cut edge is the point of entry for moisture, once wet it peals apart just like sheets of paper. You can buy proprietary edge sealers, but numerous coats of varnish will seal, but using an acrylic one will cause the fibers to expand until cut back and another coat applied . You can buy a moisture free mdf, it has a green tint in it and is used in bathrooms as a core for furniture units . I found the best sealer for the edge was a coat of thinned oil based primer. Once this is dry a timber capping would be glued and pinned on.

If you prime one face only there is a chance of the board warping if a water based primer / varnish .is used and the board in 12 mm or less , depending of the surface size , for bases for our use a quick edge seal and a timber capping will do. Just remember, cut wearing a mask, seal with a proper mdf sealer like
[ATTACH alt="329873"]329873[/ATTACH]
There are other makes available .!
And you will be ok .
John .

[Gary MacKenzie]

John , as a joiner , would OSB board/sterling board be a better solution , I believe a lot of building sites use as external cladding ( and boundary fence ) before buildings are watertight.

[Guest]

Jakko the item is was on about is called 'no more ply'. It's an alternative to plywood.

Ah, it’s a brand name … apparently of something called “fibre cement board”, AKA an asbestos replacement It doesn’t sound like the best material to use for a diorama base to me, but then, I’ve never handled it so I have no idea how strong it is.