Strength of Rubber Wood Finger-Joint Sheet

[Chandra Shekhar Pullella]

Hi All,

I am thinking of cutting 2-inch rails from rubber wood finger-joint sheet, and using those for cabinetmaking (cabinet with frame). Can anyone tell me if the strength of the rails will be appropriate? The sheet thickness would be 1-inch. 

Shekhar

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Charles,  I inch thick plywood would be strong but for face frames the question would be how well is the plywood's laminations and resistance to de-laminating.  I am not familiar with it other that knowing that it is a hard wood and that furniture is made of it of which is reported to be long lasting.  I am not sure about the face frames made of the plywood as generally it is made using a single cut piece from a slab.

Another factor is where or not the core of the plywood is made from the rubber tree is it just a veneer of the rubber tree and a core made of some other species of wood.  The weakness would be determined by it resistance to screw ( or mechanical fastener) pull out and the resistance to the de-laminations of the plywood's plies.  I would think that another weakness to be concerned with would also depend on the thickness of the top veneer as it needs to be resistant to peeling and cracking.  many plywood veneers are so thin that you can not even be aggressive in sanding without burning through them. I would be very interested in how well this works out for you.  Good luck and please post your project when done and stay in touch.

[Chandra Shekhar Pullella]

Hi Jay, thanks for quick reply. Well, the rubber wood sheet I'm talking about is completely made of rubber wood, they cut the rubber wood into small pieces (something like 5inch x 3 inch) and then join them to make a sheet using finger joint technique. I attached s ample picture, please take a look. I'm still thinking if to go with rails cut from the sheet or to get hardwood directly from the log.

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi,  yes that looks like a pretty nice product.  It resembles the Drawer stock that I use that is made of small blocks cut like the photos that you sent of the rubber sheet goods.  It is 1/2" thick  alder that is also has the ends finger jointed and edges are glued (on the sides)  I find it strong and stable and easy to work.  The only thing that I try to do is when cutting the stock to a width is to make sure that I make sure that I do not leave a thin cut where it is close to an edge as the glue thin edge will at times have the tendency to peel or break off.

So I think your idea would work as long as you cut your stock width to where it is either down a glue line or at least a 1/4 inch or so from a glue line.  I have not yet had time to research Rubber Wood but I like I mentioned in my last reply I do know that there is a considerable amount of furniture sold made of rubber wood and I have not read of any adverse complainants about it.

When you said "plywood" I was thinking of the conventional type where thin plies were cut and layered into a thick sheet.  Normally it is a hardwood veneered surface with a lower grade wood which is sometimes a soft wood core. ( referring to furniture or cabinet grade plywood)  If I am looking at your photo correctly your product is not made up of plies but is a solid block wood glued on the edges and finger jointed on the ends.  It does resemble what we call "butcher block"   I certainly would be very interested in your product.  Please be sure to post your projects and have a great day.
 
Chandra Shekhar Pullella said:

Hi Jay, thanks for quick reply. Well, the rubber wood sheet I'm talking about is completely made of rubber wood, they cut the rubber wood into small pieces (something like 5inch x 3 inch) and then join them to make a sheet using finger joint technique. I attached s ample picture, please take a look. I'm still thinking if to go with rails cut from the sheet or to get hardwood directly from the log.

[Chandra Shekhar Pullella]

Jay, I'm going to the store tomorrow to take a look at both (sheet and solid wood rails), hoping to start the project on Friday as 15th Aug is holiday in India. Will keep you posted on the progress. Thanks for all the information.