Hi All,
I’ve been gluing laminate for years. On counter tops, desks, restaurant tables etc. I’ve used fir plywood, particle board, MDF, and marine plywood. You would think that I would be an expert on the subject, but I’d be the first to admit that I’m not! Oh, I have the techniques down but I can’t say that I’m absolutely sure as the the best sheeting to apply it to. The project is, in this case, restaurant tables. Keep in mind that I have to keep costs down. Can any of you experts in this field help me out? I would really appreciate it!
Keep up the good work!
Replies
My personal preference is to glue all of my plastic laminate down to the substraight with PVA adhesice (titebond 2 works great) and put it in a vacuum press. Use a thin on the back to balance the sheet. Haven't had a delamination in many years.
Most of the failures in commercial counter tops does not usually come from surface delamination over any but the cheapest substrate. Probably 90+% of the failures start at the edge banding and come from customer or srevice use abuse.
Wrap your edges with something tough like oak and use a cost effective substrate for the tops.
Dave
ive been fabricating kitchen c tops for years and i use 11/16 pboard and cover the edges with 1 x 2 pine on the flat for a 1 1/2 edging
i always use a latex based contact cement
never had a delamination problem
caulking is not a piece of trim
You have been using the wrong substrates. You cannot buy what you want from the local building supplier. Check your yellow pages for an Architectural Woodwork shop. Preferably one that is AWI certified. They may be willing to sell you a few sheets of high density novaply or suggest a supplier. We would use a backer sheet on the underside, might want to ask for some of that also. Contact cement is still the standard but you need to apply the correct amount of pressure.
I'd like to know more about Novaply....the only Novaply I know is a prefinished UV coated plywood from States Industries. Googling only turned up mentions of a laminated novaply being used in some lines of special purpose, seemingly low quality cabinetry. People may be laminating to one side if they want laminate one side, finished wood the other, but it wouldn't be good practice.
On the topic: I'm a member of AWI, and AWMAC, the Canadian version, and according to the harmonised Quality Standards manuals....the only acceptable substrate listed for HPDL is 'industrial grade medium density particle board or medium density fibreboard', or, if there will be a sink, moisture resistant particleboard or MDF. Exterior grade veneer core ply is allowed for that situation only, but I don't personally know anyone that would use it.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
Novaply as I know it, is a high density particleboard. Could be a product name but nova core plywood is still common. I think we got it from Georga Pacific. It has been quite a while since I worked in an architectural shop. I haven't done any laminate in a few years either but I would not use a substrate that is not recomended or leave off the backer sheet.
Just checked their web site http://www.gp.com. Names and products have changed but they have what you want.
Edited 11/19/2003 12:06:40 PM ET by Hammer
Hi All,
Thank's for your help. Sorry I didn't get back right away. I got busy. It turns out that we decided to hand that portion of the work over to their original supplier who specialize in restaurant tables. Yes, they do all of the edging with an oak nosing. But lets tell it like it is shall we. It's not normal wear and tear that takes it's toll on the joints of the laminates, but the constant 'nail biting like' picking away at these things that makes us look bad. I've done many residential jobs with almost no call backs. I did one bar job where every table was coming apart within the year. I'm happy to say that I won't be getting any calls from this job. I get to concentrate on working with the materials that touch my heart like almost nothing can... Wood. Too bad I'm going to miss out on the chance to reach new heights while using that potent glue known as contact cement! Har! Har!
Thanks for the help
Keep up the good work!