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Wood choices

PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2023 6:07 am
by JoostD
Hi all,
I bought a trailer frame for my build and I'm now starting gathering materials.
For the floor I'm going to use a pre epoxied birch ply 9mm (I can't get 6mm here..) then a frame with xps and 6mm ply on top for the floor.

I'm researching what ply I'm going to use. Hard part is that I'm in the Netherlands and names and materials are bit different the in the US.
I'm going to use a 3/4 ply for the wall with cutouts for xps foam. And glue 1/8" sheets on both sides.
I don't know yet how I'm going to finish it maybe pmf of aluminium board.

I have several choices here from a lumber yard
3/4 underlayment waterproof glue in different grades
Hardwood/eucalyptus plywood waterproof glue
Okoume waterproof
Birch is almost impossible to get for a reasonable price
And interior grade poplar.

Any suggestions or recommendations what wood I can use for walls / cabinets

Tnx!
Joost

Re: Wood choices

PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2023 7:07 am
by Pmullen503
For anything on the exterior, what's most important is how waterproof the glue is. If you can, get samples and soak them in a bucket for a week or two and see how they hold up.

Products rated "exterior" aren't all the same.

Re: Wood choices

PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2023 7:41 am
by JoostD
Pmullen503 wrote:For anything on the exterior, what's most important is how waterproof the glue is. If you can, get samples and soak them in a bucket for a week or two and see how they hold up.

Products rated "exterior" are all the same.


Thanks for the tip. I'll contact the and see if I can bet a sample. They were all wbp glued so they have done a water boil test. But are labeled for interior use.

Re: Wood choices

PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2023 8:58 am
by Pmullen503
If they have passed the boil test then they should be good.

I know products labeled "exterior grade" or "waterproof" in the US definitely are not all "waterproof". They can't all withstand a soaking, much less a boil test.

Even so, it's not a bad idea to seal the edges with, what on this forum, is called "the mix". That is several coats of oil based poly starting with about a 75%/25% thinner/poly mix. Each subsequent coat is thinned less. 3 or 4 total coats total, ending with full strength poly.

Even if the glue holds, wet wood rots. Sealing the edges will help a lot.

Re: Wood choices

PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2023 11:25 am
by JoostD
Pmullen503 wrote:If they have passed the boil test then they should be good.

I know products labeled "exterior grade" or "waterproof" in the US definitely are not all "waterproof". They can't all withstand a soaking, much less a boil test.

Even so, it's not a bad idea to seal the edges with, what on this forum, is called "the mix". That is several coats of oil based poly starting with about a 75%/25% thinner/poly mix. Each subsequent coat is thinned less. 3 or 4 total coats total, ending with full strength poly.

Even if the glue holds, wet wood rots. Sealing the edges will help a lot.


Thanks! They sell a commercial edge sealer here. I have no idea what's in that product lol.
But I'm definitely sealing the edges. Tnx for the tip!