how to make 60cm-60cm board? Help with material please

[Fjodin]

I want to make perfectly square 60cm-60cm or 50cm-50cm board. My idea was to have several 60-60 boards to construct different big gaming boards. But are there any MDF, Tiles or something that size? For tiles I found only 30cm-30cm and for MDF 60cm-90cm....

[Driscoles]

Hi,

use Styrodur. English word is Polystyrol. The standard size - at least here in Germany - is 60 x 125. So one piece is good for two 60 x 60 boards.
The material is very light, it does not bend when you use watered down materials. If you use it for boards make a wooden frame so that the edges are protected. 99 % Of the wargamer I know, use this material

Cheers
Björn

[Silent Invader]

I am using 16" sq  boards/tiles for my sci fi table.

I went to B+Q (you must have something similar in Aussie) and had them cut me a sheet of 9mm mdf to the precise spec I wanted.

Before starting on construction I also sprayed both sides and all edges with a solvent based sealant to stop it warping when painted up.... No warping as yet (fingers crossed).

[Fjodin]

Thanx for useful advices. And also for anti-warping advice.

[Christian]

The way to avid warping is to put something heavy on the board while it's drying. The glue will contract as it dries. You won't avoid warping completely but it can be minimised.

You could also just opt for thick sheets of extruded foam (blue or pink). You can pick this up from wholesalers in Sydney, but I only know of one in Wetherill Park (past Fairfield/Smithfield way).

Instead of MDF I just went for some cheap plywood board and put a square of 25mm thick foam on top. I think thicker varieties of MDF are quite rigid so won't warp much anyway. I think having the shop cut it for you is a good idea as the sawdust from MDF contains glue and other nasty crap in it.

[Galland]

I have used 60 x 60 MDF as base, then Foamboard (Styrodyr etc) on top of that. Works like a charm. It allowes for trenches and whatnot.

[Driscoles]

Polystyrol does not warp. It is used for insulation.
So no need to paint both sides etc. However...there is a chance that it is warping when you have created a wargaming on the polystyrolsurface and store it upright in a room that changes temperature. But this warping is not permanent.
I use it for years now and I am very happy.

[abrelax]

It also has a tendency to warp if you remove to much of i´ts surface om one side. I have seven 60x120 cm board sections of the blue 5 cm thick type, and the two with "damaged" surfaces (one woth a harbour and one with a small stream) has warped. It´s not too bad, but sometimes it gets anoying.

[Hammers]

I have used 60 x 60 MDF as base, then Foamboard (Styrodyr etc) on top of that. Works like a charm. It allowes for trenches and whatnot.

Same here. I use 6mm mdf to back the Styrodur (Extruded Polystyrene, XPS as opposed to Expanded Polystyrene, EPS, which is complete rubbish). I had them precision cut for me at the DIY (which there fore should be called Let Someone Else Do It, LSDI).