Re: plastic lumber
Last fall I had redid my decking (house that is) with one version of
the plastic lumber. It's very heavy. I don't think it would be any
good for structural applications since it has too much flex. I had to
go from 20" centers to 16" centers. This particular variety is
somewhat brittle. Boards had to be predrilled at the ends particularly
to avoid corners breaking off. I suspect that it is going to be much
hotter than real lumber judging from how fast snow melts off and the
boards dry in the sun this winter. I also suspect that like partical
board it would be hell on blades.
Bob Chamberland
the plastic lumber. It's very heavy. I don't think it would be any
good for structural applications since it has too much flex. I had to
go from 20" centers to 16" centers. This particular variety is
somewhat brittle. Boards had to be predrilled at the ends particularly
to avoid corners breaking off. I suspect that it is going to be much
hotter than real lumber judging from how fast snow melts off and the
boards dry in the sun this winter. I also suspect that like partical
board it would be hell on blades.
Bob Chamberland
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "fritzdfk" <gaffcat@h...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any experience with recycled plastic lumber? I am
> thinking of using it for rubrails,3" X 4" size. I know it will not be
> pretty but it may be very functional and tough and attractive in an
> industrial way maybe.
>
> fritz koschmann
> Around here, the best-selling version is Trex. It's sold for use asI looked at the plastic deck boards when consiering options for the
> outdoor finished decking. I've played with it a bit, but can't claim
> to have much of a track record. What I have seen leads me to believe
> that it would work OK for what you're describing. Potential drawbacks?
Chebacco cockpit sole. In my experience even the 2/6" product was too
springy as well as too heavy for the application. It could have been used
perhaps with some significantly increased bracing on the underside, but
then there's even more weight. On the oter hand, I still think there's an
application for it somewhere. Just haven't discovered where yet.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "fritzdfk" <gaffcat@h...> wrote:
No direct experience with the stuff although I do confess to
having entertained the very same thoughts of using some for rub
rails etc.....
I quickly came to my senses when I discovered that a local
municipality here uses the very same stuff for all their outdoor
public benches and picnic tables.I did some questioning at the town
yard and spoke with one of the foremen only to discover that the
stuff is: a) not as cheap as I was thinking of paying and b)not
nearly as durable as I was hoping for as it appears they have to re-
new the benches and tables every few years.
However, I cannot help but think that this re-cycled plastic
lumber industry may have many different grades of plastic,not to
mention the possibility of actually using fresh polymers for brand
spanking new plastic lumber.
How about some UHMW or whatever the intials are for that slick
plastic(like Bruce H.used on his trailer for his Micro-Navigator
with dramatic first launch results;-) ) for the rub rails? You'll
just slide along the wharfs with no fear of damaging them or Double
Eagle :-)
Sorry to not being much help...let us know how it goes.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
>be
> Does anyone have any experience with recycled plastic lumber? I am
> thinking of using it for rubrails,3" X 4" size. I know it will not
> pretty but it may be very functional and tough and attractive inan
> industrial way maybe.Hi Fritz,
>
> fritz koschmann
No direct experience with the stuff although I do confess to
having entertained the very same thoughts of using some for rub
rails etc.....
I quickly came to my senses when I discovered that a local
municipality here uses the very same stuff for all their outdoor
public benches and picnic tables.I did some questioning at the town
yard and spoke with one of the foremen only to discover that the
stuff is: a) not as cheap as I was thinking of paying and b)not
nearly as durable as I was hoping for as it appears they have to re-
new the benches and tables every few years.
However, I cannot help but think that this re-cycled plastic
lumber industry may have many different grades of plastic,not to
mention the possibility of actually using fresh polymers for brand
spanking new plastic lumber.
How about some UHMW or whatever the intials are for that slick
plastic(like Bruce H.used on his trailer for his Micro-Navigator
with dramatic first launch results;-) ) for the rub rails? You'll
just slide along the wharfs with no fear of damaging them or Double
Eagle :-)
Sorry to not being much help...let us know how it goes.
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
There are two types of plastic wood I have used one has wood like
sawdust in it and the other is all plastic. The one with wood in it
is unstable to sweeling but can be glued with a good flexable glue
the all plastic can be gentaly heated with a torch for better
bendingbut is harder to glue. Some all plastic boards have a solid
backs and ribed centers and others do not but have ribs to suport. In
the right aplication I would think the all plastic in 2X4 with solid
backs would work well a large hile in the face screw the back through
a smaller hole and holes in the bottem to let water that enters the
larger holes out. rot free and pretty tough ans well as in different
colors from some makers.
Jon
sawdust in it and the other is all plastic. The one with wood in it
is unstable to sweeling but can be glued with a good flexable glue
the all plastic can be gentaly heated with a torch for better
bendingbut is harder to glue. Some all plastic boards have a solid
backs and ribed centers and others do not but have ribs to suport. In
the right aplication I would think the all plastic in 2X4 with solid
backs would work well a large hile in the face screw the back through
a smaller hole and holes in the bottem to let water that enters the
larger holes out. rot free and pretty tough ans well as in different
colors from some makers.
Jon
Can also be used for hand holds, and in an article in ( I think) Good Old
Boat magazine, one fellow actually cut strips from a 2x4, and used the
resulting 1-1/2" strips to deck his boat.. a la teak. Downside is weight,
upside no varnish.
Cheers, David L.
Boat magazine, one fellow actually cut strips from a 2x4, and used the
resulting 1-1/2" strips to deck his boat.. a la teak. Downside is weight,
upside no varnish.
Cheers, David L.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "fritzdfk" <gaffcat@h...> wrote:
Hi Fritz,
Around here, the best-selling version is Trex. It's sold for use as
outdoor finished decking. I've played with it a bit, but can't claim
to have much of a track record. What I have seen leads me to believe
that it would work OK for what you're describing. Potential drawbacks?
I've seen it kind of fuzz up when subjected to a heavy, abrading blow
(as a rubrail might - mine do at any rate). Insertion of screws tends
to result in a sort of mushrooming/swelling surrounding the screwhead.
This can be avoided by careful countersinking, or by using a special
decking screw that cuts its own counterbore. Even though it's a
non-traditional material for boatbuilding, I'd say it's worth a try,
expecially on your boat <g>. Could be an interesting post-industial
aesthetic, indeed. I'd be interested to know how it works.
Cheers,
David Graybeal
Portland, OR.
"Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy,
and the lash" - Winston Churchill
>be pretty but it may be very functional and tough and attractive in an
> Does anyone have any experience with recycled plastic lumber? I am
> thinking of using it for rubrails,3" X 4" size. I know it will not
> industrial way maybe.********************
>
> fritz koschmann
Hi Fritz,
Around here, the best-selling version is Trex. It's sold for use as
outdoor finished decking. I've played with it a bit, but can't claim
to have much of a track record. What I have seen leads me to believe
that it would work OK for what you're describing. Potential drawbacks?
I've seen it kind of fuzz up when subjected to a heavy, abrading blow
(as a rubrail might - mine do at any rate). Insertion of screws tends
to result in a sort of mushrooming/swelling surrounding the screwhead.
This can be avoided by careful countersinking, or by using a special
decking screw that cuts its own counterbore. Even though it's a
non-traditional material for boatbuilding, I'd say it's worth a try,
expecially on your boat <g>. Could be an interesting post-industial
aesthetic, indeed. I'd be interested to know how it works.
Cheers,
David Graybeal
Portland, OR.
"Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy,
and the lash" - Winston Churchill
Does anyone have any experience with recycled plastic lumber? I am
thinking of using it for rubrails,3" X 4" size. I know it will not be
pretty but it may be very functional and tough and attractive in an
industrial way maybe.
fritz koschmann
thinking of using it for rubrails,3" X 4" size. I know it will not be
pretty but it may be very functional and tough and attractive in an
industrial way maybe.
fritz koschmann