In my last article I noted how I had changed from a solid wood bigot and described two projects built almost entirely from man-made boards. The major benefits were ecological and economic. Man-made boards utilise wood material that would otherwise have gone to waste. The cost per square metre of 16mm man-made board is from one fifth to one half of the cost of 25mm solid wood. From a woodworking standpoint the advantages are many: stable material, available in wide widths (no edge-to-edge joining of 150mm boards) and minimal surface preparation. There is, however, no free lunch and there are also disadvantages. The major disadvantage is that exposed edges can be ugly, weak and highly absorbent.
One can't argue: the edges Photo 1 (chipboard) and Photo 2 (oriented strand board - OSB) are ugly. Can you believe that somebody would build a drawer as seen in Photo 1? These edges need to be covered with some material that matches or complements the face of the boards. For some applications the edges have to be waterproofed and for some they have to be strengthened.
The board supplier will edge, at a cost, using a 1mm or 2mm plastic veneer. This assumes you have an exact cutting list as once the boards have been cut to size and edged there is no going back for last minute changes. The DIY'er can buy iron-on edging (1mm thick) and with a hot iron and a sharp knife do a pretty good (though generally not long-lasting) job. Iron-on edging is banned in my workshop. The professional, who needs a lot (and I mean a lot) of edge banding can invest in a portable edge bander. Photo 3 shows the Festool edge bander - a very clever and very expensive tool. I do most of my edge banding using solid wood. I am after all a woodworker. Let me take you through some examples of my projects.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SLEEP IN STYLE
This queen bed has a low profile yet it still has some unique design aspects. I used a hardwood and that made this project a little more difficult, but overall, I'm happy with how it turned out.
Paint roller tip for clean corners
When painting a room, I've found that wrapping a small sandwich bag around the roller's edge works wonders for clean corners.
Cable organiser using toilet paper rolls
Here's a clever little hack to keep your cables neat and tidy.
Metal cutting tools for home projects
I'm looking to get into metalworking and want to start with a few basic home projects, like making small furniture items and maybe even some sculptures.
Pleasurable plumbing
I just wanted to express my appreciation for your recent article on DIY plumbing fixes.
MAKE SOME NOISE!
Are you ready to embark on a musical adventure and create your very own drum kit from recycled materials? Get ready to unleash your creativity and make some noise with this fun and eco-friendly DIY project. Let’s dive into the step by-step guide and bring your mini band to life!
DIY HOME APPLIANCE REPAIR
From the whirring of the washing machine to the gentle hum of the refrigerator, our trusty home appliances keep our households running smoothly. But what happens when these essential gadgets start to falter?
EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME
Pests, those unwelcome guests, can turn our homes into uncomfortable environments, disrupting our peace and posing health risks.
COMMON SEALANTS FOR DIY USE
By familiarising themselves with the diverse array of sealants available, mastering proper application techniques, and prioritising safety at every step, DIY'ers and homeowners in South Africa can tackle sealing projects with confidence and achieve lasting results that enhance the comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics of their homes.
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF ANGLE GRINDERS
In the world of DIY, few tools are as versatile and indispensable as the angle grinder. From cutting and grinding to polishing and sharpening, this powerhouse tool is a must have for any homeowner or DIY enthusiast.