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Rack Building & PVC

jglass38

jglass38

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Has anyone experimented with using 1/2" PVC foam board to build a rack? I found a local distributor that sells it for $98 for white or $120 for high density black for a 4X8 sheet. The way I figure it, I will be able to get all the cuts out of a single 4X8 sheet to make this:

rack.jpg



Now keep in mind, I am an MIS Director, not a carpenter so I might be off. Any thoughts? I assume that you can just drill holes and countersink regular screws into it.
Thanks!

Jamie
 
never having worked with the stuff, (but considering the do-it-yourself thing as well,) my question would be of sturdinesss...how well would the screws hold it. the only cage manufacturer that I know of that mentions screws is Animal Plastics, and they don't use PVC. My thinking is that it might be stronger to get some 90 degree angle pieces and chemically weld. would be interested in hearing your feelings after you do your first few pieces
 
So there is a major difference between the HDPE (i assume) that AP uses and the PVC foam foard that I know for a fact Jason's Jungle uses. I know AP uses screws because i have two but do the ones from Jason's use screws?
 
I'm not familiar with Jason's Jungle, or what they use, but I just took another look at AP's website. It says they use 1/2" CDPVC...for some reason, I had it in my mind that they used something different. maybe the screws will be ok.
 
hhmoore said:
I'm not familiar with Jason's Jungle, or what they use, but I just took another look at AP's website. It says they use 1/2" CDPVC...for some reason, I had it in my mind that they used something different. maybe the screws will be ok.
Click to expand...


I wonder if CDPVC is the same as PVC foam board. I thought AP used HDPE but maybe they have changed? My new AP rack is lighter than the one I got early in the year. Could be a change in materials for them.
 
jglass38 said:
I wonder if CDPVC is the same as PVC foam board. I thought AP used HDPE but maybe they have changed? My new AP rack is lighter than the one I got early in the year. Could be a change in materials for them.
Click to expand...
That would be my guess, I was sure they used a high density something-or-other when I looked into them before. the "controlled density" PVC they use is no doubt lighter in weight...whether it will stand up to weight when screwed together - your guess is as good as mine
 
Well I have been using it for a few days now and I see no problems. It seems just as stable and it is lighter for sure. I realized it when I brought the box in from my truck. The first time around, I could barely lift it. Now its almost light.
 
sorry, I was unclear in what I was trying to express. What I meant to say was, whether the PVC foam board will stand up to weight when screwed together - your guess is as good as mine. From what I gather (after a little research) expanded pvc can be screwed together. Let us know how you make out.
 
1/2" Expanded PVC can be screwed together, although I would not trust that alone. I would also back up the joints with a PVC solvent or cyanoacrylate (aka super glue).

I might also consider using PVC corner angle solvent welded to both the side and shelf panels. This makes for a very strong joint because you are solvent-welding the expanded PVC together surface to surface rather than surface to edge. The problem with surface to edge bonds in expanded PVC is that the foamed interior tend to break down a bit when exposed to the solvent, possibly weakening the joint. This is not as much of an issue with 1/2" expanded PVC and cyanoacrylate.

If I were to use 1/2" expanded PVC for a rack I would use a combination of screws and cyanoacrylate to make simple edge joints. If I felt that joint was not strong enough or otherwise starting to fail, I would then go back and support those joints with PVC angle.

BTW, Jason's Jungle Racks are held together with screws and thermal welds.
 
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