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Replacing Floor panels in my A

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ronzet

ronzet

Jedi Knight
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I am finally at a point where I need to cut a new set of floor panels for my 57 A. I am considerting using 5/8" marine plywood. The original width is somewhat less than that but has 5 plys. The 5/8" is the only I have found that has the 5 ply. Thinner has 3 plys. Any suggestions???
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
By the way, I will be using the old ones as templates...
 
Plywood comes in many plys, may have to have the local lumberyard special order for you.
 
Definitely use marine plywood though.
 
Thanks for your suggestions... The one thing that I am still vascillating about is the thickness... From any experiences out there, is 5/8" too thick?? is 3/4" usable, is 1/2" too thin???
As you know, the original is somewhere between 1/2 and 5/8, I think. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
would that be 9/16? I'd think you could easily sand 1/32 off each side (or have the plywood planed 1/32 on each side if you know someone with a planer - know any hobbyist woodworkers?), and have what you need. But then again... 1/16 isn't much - if it fits... make it work /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Good luck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Could use a router on the sides to make the thicker peice thiner where it seats and fit better.

I expect that orginial ply wood is in mm rather than inchs.
 
I don't know if marine plywood is the the same dimensionally as the stuff you get at the lumber yard, but the last time I bought 3/4" ply, it measured closer to 11/16". So, carefully measure the 5/8" stuff...it might be closer to the original thickness. Maybe just a little bit of sanding and you'll be good to go.
 
Oh yea, sizes changed a number of years ago 2x4s are not 2x4 it is all what they call deminsional now, measure it.
 
MDF or HDF is great for some things, but I would never use it for something exposed to water, no matter how it is rated, and in any event I would use neither in this application (I'm first and foremost a woodworker).

First, even if rated "water resistant", that is much different from marine grade plywood. MDF and HDF will eventually absobe water and because it is essentially glued sawdust, it will swell and start to disintigrate.

Second MDF and HDF is much heavier for the same thickness- much more dense.

Third, MDF and HDF (MDF moreso) is much more flexible than plywood.

MDF and HDF are a wonderful materials. I have used both in projects, but I wouldn't use it for this.

As an asside, I would rather sand plywood than plane it to reduce thickness. I don't know how wide the pieces are, but a home woodworker is unlkely to have a planer over 14 inches (you may find 20), but an open sided drum sander will be able to do a wider piece, will be easier to remove smaller amounts, and will leave you with a very nice surface.
 
Thanks for all for the input... I am going to go with 5/8" marine grade plywood. I measured the old ones with my micrometer and found a thickness of 19/32". The 5/8" will suffice. There aren't any clearance issues and the 5/8" will avoid any spongie (sp?) feeling when I plant myself in the seat...
Thanks again... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
You know the boat yards get large sheets of plastic stuff they use like plywood that would be forever. It is cut, sanded and such like wood.
 
I don't think that there is anything that becomes a clearance issue due to thickness in the floorboards, they just sit on top of the rails on the inside edge of the frame.
My uncle left his natural wood but sealed them with polyurathane. It looks really cool underneath (on a lift) and is totally waterproof. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Banjo, Thanks for the note... I didn't think that there would be a cleasance issue but thought I should look for a 2nd opinion.

Thanks to all...
 
Mostly used for cabnets and such.
 
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