Plywood thickness?

BUDFORCE

BUDFORCE

BUDFORCE

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Hi guys, so I need to get some plywood sheets, it's to support a gaming table for Warhammer miniatures.

The size needs to be 6x4 (ft) but I will get 3x 2*4 and hinge them, so I can fold it up for ease of storage.

This will get placed on top of the dining room table, then the game mat on top, miniatures, scenery etc will go on top of that. So it's not going to be supporting any huge weight.

So my question is, my table isn't 6*4 so the plywood will go over the edges. The table has rounded edges, but approx 1.5 foot of the plywood will hang over the edges.

Obviously I don't want it to sag. So what thickness plywood do you reckon?

The website on eBay I'm looking at sells them up to 25mm thick, but reckon that might be overkill, obviously the thicker it is, the more expensive/heavy it will be.
 
Hedge said:
Could you not prop the over hang up with some simple wooden legs?
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I think i'd rather go for a thicker board than adding potential legs. Seems a bit overkill for a short overhang and with minimal weight being added. As for the thickness, i think i'd probably want at least 15-20mm, you've also got to consider if you do put a bit of weight on the corner that it won't snap off.

Also adding legs means it'll be bigger to store.
 
200sols said:
Go to local merchant and get an 8x4 sheet and cut it. £20 tops.
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For rubbish osb or shuttering ply yes.

A nice 18mm hardwood ply then you won't get splinters, bowing and it won't fall apart with moisture. But yes they should be able to rip it down for you. You'll also be able to sand hardwood ply at the edges. Try sanding osb, shuttering ply or any softwood ply.
 
Maccapacca said:
For rubbish osb or shuttering ply yes.

A nice 18mm hardwood ply then you won't get splinters, bowing and it won't fall apart with moisture. But yes they should be able to rip it down for you. You'll also be able to sand hardwood ply at the edges. Try sanding osb, shuttering ply or any softwood ply.
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No not OSB or shuttering ply.
 
Play kill team instead!
I have seen quite a few people get thin ply and add battening that is fixed to the game table and fits around the sides of the dining table. This will not only strengthen the thin (ish) ply but stop the game board from moving. Don't forget the hinges will have to be recessed into the ply else you'll end up with bumps.
 
Ok, so is £70 not too over the top price wise for that good quality plywood?

Id rather order it online that have to go outside lol.

In all seriousness though, I work from home so dead convenient to have it just turn up, ready cut.
 
like Yurka i think MDF might be better. unless you spend a lot of money on decent ply it will likely be warped slightly.
would also like to see where you can get a sheet of good ply for £20
 
Ok, I read MDF is prone to sagging more so didn't consider that, but if you think MDF will be better, what thickness?

MDF is a bit cheaper and I'm not concerned about the look/finish as it will be covered.

I actually measured, the overhang at the edges is from about 7" from the centre, and the corners is about a 15" overhang.
 
My local b&q do a sheet of 18mm mdf for about £16 and will cut it to what you want for free.

You need one with a saw though normally the bigger stores
 
bushmins said:
I wouldnt use MDF because of the hinges.
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Yeah good point actually.

I am serious about the gaffa tape hinges btw, they work really great in general, and I dont really care what it looks like as it'll be covered, but if the peice is too large for them to take, I can always then go to proper ones after.
 
WillyNelson said:
12mm ply is plenty stiff, it's ply after all. 18mm is overkill and unnecessary £££.
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Was going to say the same thing. I'm using 1/2" ply to bridge 20" gaps to sit on so 18" of overhang with no weight on will be plenty.

Plywood isn't exactly light, so something thinner will be easier to deal with, especially in almost full sheets.
 
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