High Density Polypropylene Board

[Viv]

Just an update on this board. Send for starboard!!!! This stuff is a B**** to cut. It melts as your cutting it! Half way through the cut is beautiful, then the stuff melts and rebonds to itself. Using a hammer to break the seam . There alone must be the reason for starboard! My home depot didn't know what I was talking about, so I'm using this...but if I had to do it again, I'd mail away for starboard, 'cause this is beyond what someone should have to go through to cover the bottom of the tank. (I'm using a roto-zip with a sabrecut bit, the board has melted onto the bit 3 times-ugh).
Just thought you might like to know in case you came across this stuff and were thinking of using it.

[Wiskey]

Have you tried using a hand saw to cut it? This should avoid it melting.

Thanks for the tip,
Whiskey

[Weatherman]

I had a really tough time finding High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) board last January, when I made the switch to bb tanks. Ended up buying it online.

HDPE is very easy to cut. Kind of like a soft wood. About the only interesting thing about cutting HDPE is the sawdust gets a static charge so it ends up flying around and sticking to everything.

Probably, for those thinking about using this stuff for the first time, it should be noted that Starboard, MarinaBoard, cutting board, etc. are all names for the same thing. It’s HDPE plastic. If you go somewhere to buy it, just ask for ½” HDPE plastic board.

[gwaco]

i had no problem finding it locally ! try a boating place like west marine or boaters u.s.a. . when i found it , it was even on sale . i think in the boating world its called marine lumber !

[garvondavis14]

so what does everyone use to cut it?

[Viv]

I used a roto-zip, bits were included, as well as a few cutting rotary blades. I would suggest to get an extra piece of whatever you use, especially if its your first time cutting stuff, as you become a pro by the end of the project and the first piece is, at least in my case, very sloppy! So if you can, play around with that first piece...

[garvondavis14]

how much does this stuff run at stores like HD and Lowes? for like a 75 gallon sheet

[Viv]

Gee's I don't know what starboard costs...the 18x24 sheet of the high density polypropylene cutting board (which I suggest NOT to use) ran about $20. I got it at Bed, Bath and Beyond...which carries kitchen stuff...

[Twitterbait]

to cut without melting you need to use water as you go. get someone to stand next to you and spray the board as you cut. this will keep it from melting as bad.

[APFish]

I don't know your skill levels here but I enjoyed working with the star board that I used. It was half inch and I got it from cuttingboardcompany.com. I used a skill saw and then routered the edges over. No melting issues and really smoothed over nicely. The roto-zip may be too fast for this application.
Rob

[theplatypus]

The Rotozip works at such high RPMs that it likely caused the cutting board to melt. I wouldn't be suprised if you could cut it with a circular saw and the proper blade. FYI rotozips run at 25,000-30,000 rpm and circular saws less than 6,000.

[Viv]

Well, I did get it cut, but it really was hard work. Elbow grease made the cuts smooth with sand paper, rough grit, then fine grit-made the cuts to face the back of the tank so its not that noticible...the rotozip did make the cuts, but it did melt...I just have never done anything like this before, using a cutting tool and all, so just wanted to post in case someone else was in the same situation...all worked out though and I'll post some pics..