Materials for Rabbit Hutch.

[davegw]

I'm about to start building a new home (read mansion :shock: ) for my wifes pet Rabbit. I've done the design and now need to source the materials.

I want to use 12mm ply, but I don't have the facilities in my workshop to handle the 8x4 sheets. I know that I can go to B&Q and get the cuts made - but to be honest I don't really trust the accuracy - and I want to avoid as much wastage as I can.

Does anyone know of a supplier who can do most of the cutting for me and deliver to Wellingborough in Northants?

Thanks in advance

Dave

 

[gidon]

Dave
B&Q cutting I find pretty accurate for that sort of job. And repeat cuts should be spot on - and for making something like that, that's probably what matters.
But other than that sorry I can't help.
Cheers
Gidob

 

[Woodmagnet]

Hi Dave, i agree with gidon about B&Q, anything i've
had cut up was spot on. :wink:

 

[Gary M]

Hi Dave,
Just a thought, if you are planning on 12mm ply for the exterior and you are going to keep it outside, B&WHO stuff wont last long !! (of course if you are not then i appologise)
You would be much better using marine grade ply or even better tanalised timber, either shiplap or weatherboard on a light 2"x1" frame.
HTH
Cheers,
Gary.

 

[oddsocks]

Does anyone know of a supplier who can do most of the cutting for me and deliver to Wellingborough in Northants?

Thanks in advance

Dave

Dave - ask at your local builders merchant - if its truly local they will probably cut it either free or for a small charge - I do that with all my boards now - rather than buy 8*4 from focus which is almost the same price as the timber merchant. If you get a national name they may well charge you 50p a cut.
Many people seem to think these yards are dearer, but often they are not (and will for instance rip/resaw timber to size you want and deliver free locally)

 

[andy king]

Just a thought, if you are planning on 12mm ply for the exterior and you are going to keep it outside, B&WHO stuff wont last long !!

This isn't strictly true. As long as the plywood is stamped WBP (Weather and boil proof) then it's durable and suitable for exterior applications, although it will need a protective coat to give it increased durability. It will break down if it's exposed to the elements without protection. This is much the same for Marine Ply, although more durable, if it's likely to be immersed in water for long periods, a protective coat such as yacht varnish is required.
I've used Far Eastern plywood, complete with WBP grading from B&Q with no problems on exterior work, but as I said, it will need a protective coat of varnish/polyurethane/paint etc.
Hope this helps.

Andy
PS. B&Q's cutting service is good, but occasionally you do get the odd operative who forgets to allow for the kerf or thickness of the blade and I've had occasional cuts 3-4mm undersized because of it.

 

[Chris Knight]

WBP refers to the glue used not the ply itself. As Andy says, it will need protection - you shouldn't boil it either!

 

[woodbloke]

Decent marine ply ought to be fully weatherproof. My workshop is clad in marine ply and when I built it I soak tested a small bit in a jar of water for 48hrs...no delamination of any sort - Rob

 

[andy king]

Yes, marine ply should be weather proof, and to a certain extent immersion proof as well, but over the course of time, even this will break down. I think there's about a 10-20 year lifespan on marine ply in boat applications if I recall. Can't remember off hand, I haven't been boat building for about 10 years!
Anyway, true marine ply should meet BS1088 specifications. The basics have been posted here from the British Standards site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BS_1088

Andy

 

[davegw]

Thanks everyone for your help and comments. Discussions regarding marine ply and WBP not withstandind,I decided to go for spruce faced WBP from B&Q. I also got them to cut it for me. I'll let you all know how it goes but one thing to say for the guy at B&Q - I marked up the boards and he noticed when my mark was 2mm out! so I can't really complain about the accuracy :lol:

Thanks again - look for pics here soon.