Homemade Rack Question

I've been considering getting a rack lately, and also making one myself instead of buying. It crossed my mind to ask if there are certain types of wood that would be good or bad to use. Does flexwatt get hot enough to damage different woods?

Flexwatt definetly gets hot enough to damage any wood. However, with a good thermostat, the heat tape will never get hotter than you set it. If it is hot enough to damage the wood, it will definitely damage a snake. I think so long as you use a good t-stat, and monitor your temps, any wood could be used.

I used 3/4 MDF to build my rack and use 4" heat tape with a Helix thermostats. It is an cost efficient setup that was straightforward to build and works well. I hope this helps.


http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...hon/bprack.jpg

I too use 3/4 MDF.. it is sooo easy to build with.. and the best part is have all your cuts done at HD.. they have a big saw that can handle it and it saves you alot of time. the only thing you must do is pre drill your holes or the stuff will break apart

good luck

What is MDF?

MDF = Medium Density Fiberboard.

http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/sto...ml&catref=wd22

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/sto...ml&catref=wd22

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Wood magazine kicks it!

How would you compared the MDF to melamine? I had been looking at that at Lowe's and I'm curious. Which do you think is better? Which is cheaper?

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Originally Posted by JenHarrison

How would you compared the MDF to melamine? I had been looking at that at Lowe's and I'm curious. Which do you think is better? Which is cheaper?

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Melamine is MDF with a covering on it. ( look at the rack above in the pic.. that is melamine)It is better than just plain MDF as the white coating helps it resist humidity and moisture better. Get the melamine.. very cheap for a 4x8 board of it and have them cut it at home depot.. saves you alot of time

hope this helps
Chris

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Originally Posted by cueball

I used 3/4 MDF to build my rack and use 4" heat tape with a Helix thermostats. It is an cost efficient setup that was straightforward to build and works well. I hope this helps.


http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...hon/bprack.jpg

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MDF is the way to go!!!!! Im going to build my rack out of it!

Cue I can't remember if I asked you what size those tubs are in that rack. Really a nice job on it!

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Originally Posted by Sevo

Melamine is MDF with a covering on it. ( look at the rack above in the pic.. that is melamine)It is better than just plain MDF as the white coating helps it resist humidity and moisture better. Get the melamine.. very cheap for a 4x8 board of it and have them cut it at home depot.. saves you alot of time

hope this helps
Chris

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Now I'm really confused! When I followed that link I read up on MDF and I read up on Melamine. It says that melamine isn't mdf...it's particleboard with a paper embedded with melamine resin applied to it. So is MDF and Melamine completely different or the same thing except one is finished, one is not??? Which is best as far as warping, weight, ease of working with it, etc.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

So is MDF and Melamine completely different or the same thing except one is finished, one is not???

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Right ... kinda ... I don't know that "finished" is the right word, but you got it.

With melamine, the rack will probably last longer ... I have some racks made by a company long out of business that are constructed from marine grade melamine and they are over 11 years old ... they've survived hundreds of snakes, several moves, and most look like they're still brand new. :sweeet:

That said, MDF is fine too. :sweeet:

EDIT: Oh, forgot ... the poopy thing about melamine is the stupid edge banding ... that stuff bites. :mad:

-adam

Edge banding?

I need to find some one with melemine...nows had it, but only in like 2'x4' pre-cuts.

I have STARBOARD, a product thats used on boats thats made up of the material for cutting boards, but only more scratch resistent, and come thicker.

Its great for racks because it wont warp, hold humdity great, wont crack, chip, or blister...pretty much the best, along with HDPVC, which is mostly the same thing. But it can be pricey...