Yngwie Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I was just wondering (must build rally track) othr than cost, is there any reason no one is routing tracks on say 9-12mm plywood? It offers significant advantages in terms of weight. For a portable track it seems the go but what do you think? Regards John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obsidith Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 it might chip in the slot easy when routing myself was wonder about chipboard vs mdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knoath Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I reckon the MDF gives a nicer finish when routing... haven't tried plywood, but my thoughts are it would break up on the routed edge a bit. Quote Cheers, Dick SCMR build thread Woodbrook Valley build thread "A Man's home is his castle, but his garage is his sanctuary!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 It's generally more expensive per metre, more fragile, and more difficult to work with due to the fact it's glued sheets of wood, not just a sort of glue all by itself. It shouldn't chip on the slot when you are routing it if you use a sharp bit and a lot of speed. I would have thought it would be almost as heavy as MDF anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlovemanP510 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 The difference in weight between MDF and Pine ply is quite minimal MDF Average Density - 4.609g/cm3 or 4609Kg/m3 Pine Ply Average Density - 4.881/cm3 or 4881kg/m3 and contrary to popular belief it is usually heavier than MDF of similar volume (My students do this stuff as part of their course) so there really is no reason to go for ply as previously stated no matter how sharp the router bit is it will almost always "break out" the grain when routing across the grain. Not to mention that unless you buy expensive ply the surface will contain imperfections. (OK for a rally track i surpose) on the flip side at least it is not a known carcienogen like MDF (Make sure you wear a dust mask) Cheers Gloveman Quote I rather push my Datto than drive anything else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Routing Ply does not give very good results as at all times you are cutting across some grain. Chipboard used to be used to be used for tracks before MDF was on the market,just not as good a material to route. The first HMCC track back in the sixties was made from masonite. Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yngwie Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Ok, thanks guys. You have managed to change my mind. By the way, I will post some pics of our schools drag strip. We have made it 15m in length and the kids absolutely love it! Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Laminated chip board is wonderful, the laminex is the best bit of course. Beautiful surface to race on, good sharp edges on the slots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulsara Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Ply tends to splinter when bent or twisted unfortunately. Did you know that MDF stands for "Maintains Defined Formation". Sorry guys that the best I can come up with, do we have any other suggestions?? Quote Gort, Klaatu barada nikto. My poor Krell! After a million years of shining sanity... they could hardly have understood what power was destroying them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neophytte Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Did you know that MDF stands for "Maintains Defined Formation". Sorry guys that the best I can come up with, do we have any other suggestions?? "More Dust Flying" Cheers Richard Quote WA Slotcar Forum | Routed HO Track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffy Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 I used to know what MDF stands for, must be getting old..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yngwie Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 medium density fibreboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gzminiz Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) medium density fibreboard! +1, beat me to it (though i would of said medium density fiberboard) Edited November 19, 2009 by gzminiz Quote The Duke - 2nd Routed Track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyfly41 Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Must Drive Faster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ember Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Mostly Deviate Fellows Perhaps seeing as it's Friday Frivolities tonight for the Ballarat boys that should be Mainly Drunken Friends Quote Computers. They'll never catch on. Tiny Tyers Targa - The build saga continues - Aging wood - A recipe for staining wood - Don't take a fence - Step by step paling fence - An old shed for my new cars - Wooden garage under construction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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