Laminating Hardboard - Can I get a very flat uniform thickness result?

[Rushton]

Has anyone glued (laminated) 1/4" or 3/16" hardboard? I want to make some dovetailed replaceable inserts for the fence of my cross-cut sled and I'm thinking of laminating two 3/16" thick strips of hardboard, putting their waffle non-tempered sides together, to end up with a 3/8" thick part that I can screw to the laminated plywood fence of the sled. What I'm concerned about is whether I'll end up with a uniform thickness for the length of the lamination. So, just checking to see if anyone else has tried this and with what success?

Yes, I could use 3/8" Baltic Birch plywood, as with the rest of the fence, but I'm looking for an alternative that might be more durable in this location. Alternate suggestions welcome!

 

[pop-pop]

A few years back, I bought a sheet of 1/4" tempered hardboard from Capitol City Lumber that was smooth both sides.

Tile board (white one side and smooth tempered on the back) from Lowe's or Homer's would make a nice face ply.

1/2" melamine board might be another flat alternative, last of the that I bought was from Wurth back when they would sell to hobbyists.

 

[Rushton]

Thanks, pop-pop. Good suggestions.

 

[Rwe2156]

1/4" isn't thick enough? I'm pretty sure I've glued it to wood with regular wood glue or contact cement.

Easy enough to find out!!

 

[Rushton]

DrBob, 1/4" tempered on both sides would likely work very well. I'm not looking to glue this to a wood substrate. It needs to be independently sound because it will be a removable/replaceable insert. HDF would probably work fine, too. But I haven't been able to find an online source for small quantities.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Rwe2156]

I guess what I’m saying is if it glues to wood it should glue to itself.

 

[Rushton]

I guess what I’m saying is if it glues to wood it should glue to itself.

Got it! Agree that it should.

 

[Rushton]

Many thanks to all who replied. I found an online source for 1/4" double sided melamine MDF and will plan to go with that solution.

 

[Martin Roper]

Many thanks to all who replied. I found an online source for 1/4" double sided melamine MDF and will plan to go with that solution.

Can you share that?

 

[Rushton]

Sure. I found that Makerstock.com carries a variety of project panels in various materials, one of which is double-sided black and gray melamine MDF in various thicknesses and dimensions. Here's the link:

Melamine with MDF Core (Light Gray/Dark Gray)

MDF draft board (medium-density fiberboard) is a great laser prototyping material because inexpensive, uniform in texture and color, takes paint well. MakerStock ships MDF sheet panels cut to size. Custom panel size Universal, Epilog, Glowforge, Boss, Trotec, Dremel, Orion laser cutters. 1/8 in...

makerstock.com

Woodworkerssource.com also carries melamine MDF in various dimensions, but I'm not sure whether if it is double-sided or single-sided. I have an email inquiry into them to find out.

1/4" White Melamine Thermofuse on MDF - 24"x46"

Woodworkers are loving this

www.woodworkerssource.com

 

[Martin Roper]

Thanks, Rush.

 

[Rushton]

FWIW..., it turns out that the Woodworkers Source 1/4" melamine MDF is single-sided, but I'm going with it anyway because they seem to be good folks to work with. And, I'm ordering some Baltic Birch from them at the same time.