DIY bathroom cabinet.

[chrisz]

I'd like some advice on replacating a bathroom cabinet which like, using some different materials.

This is what I would like to achieve:

However, instead of the dark wood, I would like to use zebrano.

I was going to use the zebrano vaneer from the following website, but it only comes in 18mm thickness. I would ideally like it to be thicker. I guess it could double it up, bonding it together in someway then use the iron on edging to cover the joins. This would be quite pricey though.

http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/sheetmaterials_results.asp?sheetID=7

Does anyone know anywhere that I could get thicker vaneer from, or any general advice.

Lastly, would anyone like to provide me with the two bits of wood I require for payment? (I am on a tight budget!)

Thanks
Chris

 

[Jasonb]

The veneer is actually only 0.5mm thick and is then stuck to a sheet of MDF to give you your 18mm (actually 19mm)

You could make a small saving by getting 6mm zebrano veneered MDF and glueing this to either side two layers of 18mm MR MDF giving a total thickness of 50mm and then edge with the iron on edging. A bit like this and this

Or as SLH will only sell a full sheet of the 19mm you will get all you need to double this up and make your two shelvesout of one sheet

They could be made from 3 layers of MR 18mm MDF and then just the 0.5mm veneer applied to each side but if you have not done it before then better to get someone who knows what the are doing

Why not ask SLH for a price to make them up, they do them in oak and walnut as a standard item 38mm thick.

Jason

 

[chrisz]

yeah, sorry bad use of terms, realise that the veneer is stuck to MDF.

They've quoted me £250+vat for 2 x 800mm x 450mm x 40mm lengths.

Fairly reasonable I would say, although still a lot of money (the unit I'm replicating is only £400).

Guess zebrano is expensive and using another veneer might be a better option. Will pop down and have a look at the different options.

Will have a look at the glueing option. Thanks for that.

 

[Jasonb]

materials would cost about £120 and say half a days labour at the most so thats about what I would charge so not too bad a price for the two shelves.

Jason

 

[chrisz]

Is this work that you would do?

Could you be more competitive than this and are there any more cost effective ways of doing the job?

I like the work on your website. When I have a bigger budget for projects, I might be commissioning so work!!

Cheers for the advice.

 

[Jasonb]

Is this work that you would do?
Yes its work I do

Could you be more competitive than this and are there any more cost effective ways of doing the job?

As I said thats what I would charge, all the methods mentioned above would cost approx the same, what may be saved in materials will involve more labour.

I like the work on your website. When I have a bigger budget for projects, I might be commissioning so work!!

Start saving that "Clairville Rd" bathroom came in at £20k, the bed, bedside cabinet and TV cabinet were another £4k on top of that.

Jason

 

[chrisz]

thanks jason, i'll be sure to look you up for my next job!

one last thing, is it reasonably easy to iron on the edging strips? How do you finish the corners? Very sharp stanley knife?

 

[JohnD]

MDF and veneers last a long time in a bathroom when damp and splashed with water

 

[Jasonb]

Not too hard to do.

You would do the two sides first and trim then do the front so it covers the two ends, as the veneer is so thin you don't worry about mitres etc.

It can be done with a stanley, sharp wide chisel, block plane blade, I mostly use a flush plane or you can buy special trimmers but not worth it for a one off. Finish with a fine grit paper on a sanding block.

Having said all that SLH don't do the zebrano in anything over 22mm so you will have to buy a pack of veneer and stick that to the edges. Not a lot harder than the iron on you just need to clamp a caul (block of wood) over the veneer to press it down and stop it curling with the moisture from the glue.

J

 

[Jasonb]

MDF and veneers last a long time in a bathroom when damp and splashed with water

That's why we are talking about veneer on a MR core!

Granted it will need a suitable finish and will not stand prolonged wetting but a few splashes from a basin will be OK.

Jason

 

[chrisz]

Having said all that SLH don't do the zebrano in anything over 22mm so you will have to buy a pack of veneer and stick that to the edges. Not a lot harder than the iron on you just need to clamp a caul (block of wood) over the veneer to press it down and stop it curling with the moisture from the glue.

J

then trim in the same way?

 

[Jasonb]

yes

 

[chrisz]

Thanks

Had a look into this a bit further last night -

I think my best bet will be to do what you suggested and sandwich a piece of 18mm MDF with two 6mm veneered pieces, then get some veneer sheets to edge it.

Might have to go for a cheaper veneer like american walnut to bring the cost down. I will pop down to slh and have a look at what they have.

 

[chrisz]

ps

I presume it is unsuitable to use this:

http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/sheetmaterials_results.asp?sheetID=6

either side of the main MR MDF core. Most of the MR veneers are double sided, which I don't really need to do this!

 

[chrisz]

what am i talking about. I only need one sheet of veneered mdf either 1 or 2 sided, so even using zebrano, materials only come to around £120.

I will post some pictures when I'm done.