Poly Sheeting

[McGyver]

For anyone who is interested or may be in the future, a brisbane company called plastral does a poly sheeting called sea board, which is thier UV stabilised product.

The board is 9.35mm thick x 2440 long x 1220 wide

Colour is white

Cost at time of enquiry was $205+ GST

I am using it as a substitute for ply on a casting deck extension. I do not need to poly weld it anywhere, but i will try to weld a piece (to a old bit of console poly that i cut out) just incase anyone wants to know.

[Doug]

How does it compare to equivalent ply, vis a vis strength and weight?

[Andy]

You have just given me a really good idea. I like poly, but I have never liked the bow on the poly craft. Hmmm, do they have any thinner stuff? Maybe its time to hand fabricate a poly boat...

[McGyver]

the shipment comes in friday so i am not sure yet, early next week i should have some answers. I am guessing it will be slightly heavier and hopefully stronger, time will tell.

And i am pretty happy with the price, i cant see it being any dearer then ply if you factor in the anti rot paint that ply requires. The carpet bonding might be a bit harder but im sure with a bit of trial and error i will get it right eventually.

[BigFella]

Ive used sea board and found nothing would stick to it, including Lexel.
Not as strong with lateral load, but with enough bearers to support the load of a bloke walking on it, should be fine.

[Andy]

Ive used sea board and found nothing would stick to it, including Lexel.
Not as strong with lateral load, but with enough bearers to support the load of a bloke walking on it, should be fine.

So imagine if you use it as a standard material, like aluminium or ply with some traditional boat building skills. I am designing in my head at the moment, trying to think about weight issues.

[sweeden]

Ive used sea board and found nothing would stick to it, including Lexel.
Not as strong with lateral load, but with enough bearers to support the load of a bloke walking on it, should be fine.

BF - Do you know if you can you poly-weld sea board (i.e. is it the same plastic)? There are a couple of small jobs I'd like to do that would make that a winner (like putting a shelf inside my console).

[BigFella]

not sure there, the sea board we were given to trial had an aerated core and wouldn't take too kindly to excess heat. The operator would have to be switched on or it may just end up as messy gooey gloop on the floor!

Doug would know about that better then I!pointlaugh

[McGyver]

big fella, that does scare me that nothin would stick to it seeing as it is to be carpeted. My biggest area that will be stood on is about 500x400mm with support around all four edges, do you think it is strong enough for that?

[DvrDve]

plastral sells from 4 mm up -4,6,8,10 mm etc sheets HDPE (high density poly ethylene) i ddint bother with the seaboard--- stay away from UHDPE ultra hi- very hard to weld but bloody strong - stronger than same thickness ali it seems
in wa its order in -but normally gets here within 3 days

if u buy standard UV stabilised poly(make sure u specify UV stable as it will start going in 3 month if not uv stable)- black, is always UV stable or (just of) white- you can polyweld it- only problem is the black welding rod is the only uv stabilised 1

however Vanglobe will sell u the same rod as polycraft use- which seems to be uv stable

Vanglobe tel #1800 888 141 and it will be in the colour PC uses- white is called sail white


1x 4mm and 1x 6mm sheet -3m x 1.2 set me back $240
i now use poly for almost everything
secret is a good welder that does have temp control-strength 6mm poly seems to be about the same as 4mm ali
btw if u wanna weld HDPE to your poly u can remember the boat is LDPE (low density Poly ethylene) u need to put more heat onto the sheet and rod and less on the boat hull

the hull will start to melt long before the sheet - practice on a bit of sheet then give it a go

[sweeden]

Thanks DvrDve - I remember we spoke some time back about welding tips for the hot air gun - where did you get them from?

[DvrDve]

after buying some cheapie tips from ebay- half price
i decided its not worth it -1/3 the quality-the real leister tips are much better-
speak to plastral in your state they will either have em -or put u in contact -