Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tileboard in a rack before? I am thinking of using hollow core doors for the sides/top/bottom but using 1/8" tileboard for the middle shelves (and L brackets to connect the tile board to the sides of the rack). I am still very new at this so if this is a stupid iead just say so. Seend like a way to cut down cost/weigth.

Thanks
Vinny
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

I think the 1/8" tileboard will be too flimsy for the shelves, although I have seen it used for the sides. There was a poster last year who built several racks with 3/4" melamine shevles and 1/8" tile/showerboard for the sides. Might be something to consider.

Thanks for the info Chris. Would 3/4" ply or MDF be strong enough or should I just stick with using hollow core doors for the shelves too?

Vinny
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

If you can build a rack out of all HC doors I think that is the safe choice. But I thought you had an issue with cutting the doors down?

Regardless, I have used both 3/4" plywood and MDF for rack shelves. Of the two, I liked MDF better, even over expensive birch laminated plywood which is pretty darn smooth. MDF is considerably more expensive than plywood, however.

You just have to decide what you really want out of this rack. Long term durability, light weight, or cheap cost. Combining all three is what can get you in trouble. I think HC doors offer a good compromise of the three but it is the most difficult from a construction standpoint.

>>Thanks for the info Chris. Would 3/4" ply or MDF be strong enough or should I just stick with using hollow core doors for the shelves too?
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>>Vinny
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>>“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859