WPC Backbox wood back plate

[DSB]

I am looking at replacing the back box rear wooden panel in my Indiana Jones. The thickness of the one that came out appears to be 13 mm? Is this the standard or is it 12mm and just swollen? Would 12mm MDF be a suitable replacement? Any information from someone who has done this would be appreciated.

[swinks]

pretty sure it would of been 12.7mm = 1/2inch as the US is imperial

So if you wanted to use MDF by the time you have glue in there, there possibly only be a small step or alternatively go to bunnings or a Mister Plywood and get a part sheet of 1/2" ply - Mister Plywood will cut one to size

[Homepin]

Grab a hammer and after gutting the backbox smash out  the old stuff and glue/nail in the new - I used ply.

[DSB]

Thanks Mike and Swinks

I have thought about a plywood option which would obviously be more durable but I was thinking the wood grain may show through the paint? I am trying to achieve a smooth as possible finish. As you mentioned Swinks the 12mm fits petty well with a very slight step which could easily be sanded down. My concern with the 12mm MDF is the screws holding the circuit board plate were there is no wiring loops showing through the back. I could pack them out with a washer I guess. Even the original must of been close to showing with only a 0.7mm difference.   Maybe the best option is to use a shorter screw as the ones that came out are 1/2 inch.

[swinks]

just be careful screwing into mdf, but with ply and a little bit of sanding and you get a nice finish, some plywood will have a dress finish on both sides as your other option.

just be careful with mdf dust - not good for you.

[Homepin]

Forget the MDF it's just SHIT!

Why oh WHY did they make the ENTIRE cabinet from ply BUT made this back piece and the base ONLY - from chipboard/MDF??

It's disgusting - use plywood. So what if there are a few plywood "ripples" GOOD

[Crashramp]

If your worried about smoothness then you an A grade Birchwood ply. It's very hard and has a smooth face.

[DSB]

Looks like A grade ply it is then. There seems to be a Mister Plywood here on the coast so I will call in.

Cheers.

Obviously no MDF going into the Thunderbirds Mike!?    

[Homepin]

Obviously no MDF going into the Thunderbirds Mike!?    

That's for sure - it has never made any sense to me at all why they made these cabs from ply excepting those two pieces? It just seems ridiculous!

[soundasleep]

Like all things it would have been cost. Ply was originally used as it was cheap and plentiful. Maybe the smaller size wasn't.

I know with my Russian Birch cabs, using ply for those two pieces adds a fair chuck of change compared to if I went the same route with MDF.

[soundasleep]

I think a 2400 x 1200 sheet of MDF is around $25. The same in Grade A Ply would be just shy of $100.

[soundasleep]

.

[DSB]

I think a 2400 x 1200 sheet of MDF is around $25. The same in Grade A Ply would be just shy of $100.

Yeah not cheap for the A grade stuff but it is a smooth finish. In the end I was lucky enough to cash in a favour from a carpenter who had some leftover from a job. He even cut the holes for me. 

[Crashramp]

 Nice one, well done it looks great.