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plywood thickness and type

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:44 pm
by limptera13
my main question is i can run into a lot of free parts in my first attempt to build a teardrop, i already got a free trailer, needs a lil work but it was free, and i came into 4 pieces and just i guess regular plywood 1/2 thick 4x10ft odd that its so long, and about 4 more 4x8 pieces of plywood. all free, and my glass for windows aare free, and the labor that my dads been a carpenter for his whole life comes free as well, now i read that for the floor and sidewalls to use 3/4 inch plywood, would 1/2 be ok, and is the type only for look purposes? so to sum it up since i confused my self

1- can i use 1/2" plywood for the floor and sidewalls
2- is the type of plywood, birch etc, just for quality of finish purposes?
3- and could a 4x10ft weekender teardrop work and or make sense to build(have a 15 ft trailer)

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:04 pm
by BrwBier
1-yes
2-yes
3-yes
Your not confused, you got it all right. And the free labor cant be beat.
Brwbier

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:12 pm
by madjack
1...yes you can...we use 1/2 for our floors and 3/4 for walls...you can use 1/2 for walls but may need to add some framing at attachment points for screws to bite into.....

2...yes you can...we use cabinet grade birch ply...this ply may be intended for interior use but unless it states that it is for interior use only, it probably has a water resistant glue...if you do as we do and seal it, especially the edges, with epoxy(as many as 3 coats) it should be impervious to most of the elements....

3...why the heck not..it's yours and you will be building it...4x8, 4x9, 4x10, 5xany, 6xany, etc...it's yours, doityourway!!!!!!!!!
madjack 8)

p.s. FREE is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup: .........MJ

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:50 pm
by satch
Mine is 1/4" top, 1/8" bottom, sandwitched 3/4" insulation. works great, exept the galley is 3/4" ply just because of the refer and cabnets there 8)

PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 7:07 am
by bobhenry
I used old weathered 1/2" osb for my sides ( yeah it was free ). When I was done framing I glued 1/4 luan over the outside and routered off the excess. Still needs trim but I'm on teardrop time !

Image

Image

PostPosted: Thu May 29, 2008 10:56 pm
by limptera13
lol ,my plywood looks like it belongs in a mansion compared to that haha but all that matters is the finished look and urs looks damn good hopemine can look that good