Sheet Material Strength vs Weight?

[Ashley Burton]

Need to build some strong, yet light cupboards for my van.

Was thinking 1/4 Plywood?

Whats people's thoughts / suggestions?

Many Thanks

 

[Yamhon]

Need to build some strong, yet light cupboards for my van.

Was thinking 1/4 Plywood?

Whats people's thoughts / suggestions?

Many Thanks

I have no experience doing this, but I'd think 6mm'ish ply might be a little weak, may flex or break under load/driving conditions.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Need to build some strong, yet light cupboards for my van.

Was thinking 1/4 Plywood?

Whats people's thoughts / suggestions?

Many Thanks

I used 1x1 batten and quality 6mm ply.
Built well it can be plenty strong enough.
Did the outer walls in 12mm so had something substantial to build from.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I have no experience doing this, but I'd think 6mm'ish ply might be a little weak, may flex or break under load/driving conditions.

Be fine mate plenty of builders/chippies vans racked out with 6mm and they hold a lot of weight.
It's about the bracing.

 

[Ashley Burton]

@eLuSiVeMiTe considering you work with timber most days I don't doubt you!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

@eLuSiVeMiTe considering you work with timber most days I don't doubt you!

Easy way to strengthen 1x1 corners rip a bit of 18mm ply down to 100mm and cut triangles out of it. Glue and/or screw them in the corners. Stops the frame twisting.
Pilot and clearance holes will be your friend working with 1x1

 

[mtt.tr]

16*16 erw angle shelf brackets 12mm shelf

 

[Ashley Burton]

@eLuSiVeMiTe any tips on cutting Plywood? I don't own a track saw, Only a standard circular saw!

 

[mtt.tr]

@eLuSiVeMiTe any tips on cutting Plywood? I don't own a track saw, Only a standard circular saw!

Clamp a long level

 

[Ashley Burton]

16*16 erw angle shelf brackets 12mm shelf

12mm thick sheet?

Sounds heavy to me!

 

[Ashley Burton]

Clamp a long level

Does that prevent tearout?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

@eLuSiVeMiTe any tips on cutting Plywood? I don't own a track saw, Only a standard circular saw!

Make a track to run your skilly on.
Bit of 12mm ply with a second glued and screwed on to run the saw base against.
Cut the base wider and trim it off once built.
Then you just line that cut with your marks.
Couple of speed clamps and jobs a goodun.
Will reduce breakout saw side but will still get a bit on the offcut

18mm base be better but will get away with 12

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Does that prevent tearout?

See above.

 

[mtt.tr]

12mm thick sheet?

Sounds heavy to me!

Needs finishing

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

View attachment 185381


Needs finishing

Few sheets of 12mm makes no difference when you've got a ton of tools on board.
My vans feeling quite nippy ATM.
Dumped half my tools out as not required in the near future

Moved away from van racking.
Have some ex bt bins and a couple of high shelves.
Everything else is stacked in Tstack cases and ratchet strapped to the walls.
5 minuites job to clear the van when the space is needed

 

[Ashley Burton]

View attachment 185381


Needs finishing

I'm look at doing something similar to this:

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

A bit more involved but keeps it located.

 

[mtt.tr]

Few sheets of 12mm makes no difference when you've got a ton of tools on board.
My vans feeling quite nippy ATM.
Dumped half my tools out as not required in the near future

Moved away from van racking.
Have some ex bt bins and a couple of high shelves.
Everything else is stacked in Tstack cases and ratchet strapped to the walls.
5 minuites job to clear the van when the space is needed

That's my only permanent storage its 4 bolts and it comes out.

It also allows me to still get plasterboard in diagonally

 

[mtt.tr]

I'm look at doing something similar to this:

View attachment 185382

I thought about that but as soon as you load out the floor with rubbish or plasterboard its difficult to get to internal storage

 

[Ashley Burton]

I thought about that but as soon as you load out the floor with rubbish or plasterboard its difficult to get to internal storage

Mines a camper van, Not a work van. But understand what you mean!