Marine Ply ----

[ChattingLil]

sorry to ask, cos I know it's been on a recent thread, but I can't find it... (don't know what I am doing wrong with my searches)

Any tips on where to get decent marine ply? Ideally between M25 and Burnham please.

Twice now I have used B&Q exterior ply to make a locker cover (hours and hours worth of work shaping, sanding, painting, etc) and both times the effing thing has split. V V annoying. Got to learn my lesson now and go and get something decent. I thought exterior ply was the same thing as marine ply (I know the panels on my conservatory are made of exterior ply and they've lasted longer than 2 sodding weeks).

Or does anyone have another idea for material to use? It's to make a vertical panel in which a hole is cut for the lid to the gas bottle hole. It has to be shaped and chamfered (spelling?) so that it fits into the niche nicely.

 

[MoodySabre]

Some branches of Travis Perkins keep it in stock. Leigh Timber Yard have it at about £26 a sheet for 9mm which is a good price. Everyone only seems to sell whole sheets. They will cut it up as you request so you can get it in your vehicle.

If you only need a small amount then Dauntless on Canvey (next to Benfleet YC just over the bridge on the road that goes past Benfleet Station) has odd bits and hardwood battening. Give them a ring 07833 562536 or 07771 944288 cash or cheque only.(Be warned there will be much else to tempt you at Dauntless).

 

[FullCircle]

sorry to ask, cos I know it's been on a recent thread, but I can't find it... (don't know what I am doing wrong with my searches)

Any tips on where to get decent marine ply? Ideally between M25 and Burnham please.

Twice now I have used B&Q exterior ply to make a locker cover (hours and hours worth of work shaping, sanding, painting, etc) and both times the effing thing has split. V V annoying. Got to learn my lesson now and go and get something decent. I thought exterior ply was the same thing as marine ply (I know the panels on my conservatory are made of exterior ply and they've lasted longer than 2 sodding weeks).

Or does anyone have another idea for material to use? It's to make a vertical panel in which a hole is cut for the lid to the gas bottle hole. It has to be shaped and chamfered (spelling?) so that it fits into the niche nicely.

Lisa, you should be able to use WBP grade. which is water/boil proof if you do a good job on sealing and painting. That is available from reputable timber merchants (not DIY superstores).
Marine ply will make you cry, but if you must I am sure someone will be along to tell you thier favourite hoard of the stuff.

 

[tillergirl]

There's not a vast difference between exterior and marine ply. The glue is the same but exterior ply is 'allowed' to have more voids within the plies. Marine ply tends to have a better face and indeed can be bought with some quality face plies. When I did my deck I went to Silverman's who have branches around the place and when I asked for ply I got an answer like if I went into B & Q and jsut asked for paint - what form, how much, what quality etc. It was a revelation. Have a look under Panels here

http://www.silverman.co.uk/

I ended up with a high spec Sapele ply for my deck which was pretty much wonderful - the price was a thing of wonder as well. But scanning those pages might be usefl for you to get an idea. Their Borehamwood branch is just down the A1 (3 miles) from the M25 at South Mimms (the junction with the service area)

 

[MrCramp]

Twice now I have used B&Q exterior ply to make a locker cover (hours and hours worth of work shaping, sanding, painting, etc) and both times the effing thing has split.

I would never use any timber at all from B & Q as the quality is way below what I would want on any boat of mine. Even builders merchants like Travis Perkins keep better quality. I have made the mistake you made, more than once and no matter how well you seal the edges if the wood is no good then it will delaminate.

If you want to keep the boat for the next ten years I would only use marine ply. If you are selling it in a couple of years then perhaps risk decent quality exterior grade.

 

[Fire99]

I'm quite sure I used MDM Timber in Basildon Essex when restoring an old Freeman Motor Cruiser. I bought sheets of marine ply of various thicknesses and had them delivered to the marina at Maylandsea.

http://www.mdmtimber.co.uk

Did exactly what it said on the tin.

For Hardwood (4x4 and 4x2) I used Brooks in Maldon.

Hope that helps,

Nik