Board for moulds etc

[Forthsailoar]

Hi

I'm planning to build a Clint Chase Drake rowing boat from plans, not kit. It's built over 5 moulds of MDF, chipboard or similar. I also need to make a building frame, and Clint recommends a long thin box made of ply.

Now, I could just get this all from B&Q or wherever, but it's not cheap when you add it all up - especially as it's all essentially single use. (And I've discovered MDF can't be recycled!). I'm happy to spend money on good quality materials for the boat though!

So, any ideas for sources of used or cheap sheet material of this sort?

Cheers

Osbert

[Paul H (admin)]

Osbert,

Use standard exterior 6mm or 9mm ply for the moulds, screwed or bolted for easy re-use. Eventually you will find a shape that fits in them to fit your boat, or some extra add-ons you want to build.

Bracing knees, removable storage boxes, laminated odd shapes for the rudder (just as strong), cradle on casters for the upturned hull, towing support to match hull contours, panels to support a boat cover and prevent rainwater pooling, additional buoyancy tanks...the list goes on.


-Paul

[momist]

It may also be worth looking on your local Freecycle for discarded kitchen furniture, which is an appropriate re-use.  I know my Freecycle has someone offering used pallets for free, as well, which is a good source of timber for odds and sods.

[Jeremy]

I have more pallets than I know what to do with, there must be at least a dozen littering up my building site and they are a real nuisance to get rid of.  Most small building sites would probably welcome someone coming around and offering to take a few away, I know I would.

[Forthsailoar]

Thanks for the suggestions folks!