jeff0520 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hello all, As you can see from my project journel, It won't be too terribly much longer untill I'm done with the exterior of the camper, and I'm ready to move inside. I'm beginning to think about the interior cabinetry. Pine would certianly be a low cost option, and seems to be very light weight, which is a major consideration in this project. there has to be some trailer weight capacity left for gear once the camper is finished. So, what are the pros and cons of pine for cabinets? If not pine, what? the major considerations are weight, cost, and appearance. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Pine is very soft and will dent/marr VERY easily. It also is full of knots, so it gives a "country" appearance. You can buy clear pine, but it's cost is much higher than common grades. If cost is the major factor, or you will be painting, you may want to consider poplar. It is inexpensive, easy to work with, and is harder than pine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 What kind of pine? Southern yellow is hard and durable, northern white is used for paint grade moldings,as well as drawer sides, every day. I'd think it would be fine, if expectations were reasonable, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff0520 Posted November 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 well, I'm in Alabama, so I'd think southern yellow pine would be plentiful and cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronnie Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 I think that pine is a very good option for cabinets. You can stain it just about any color and it turns out pretty good. The only thing about pine is that because its so light weight, its also pron to the weather. If it gets to hot or to cold it may expand or worp and other side effects of the weather. if you have pine cabinets in your home where the climate is controled at all times you more than likely will not have any problems with it, but if you are putting it inside a camper trailer where the climate is not always controled at all times you may have some problems with it but then again you may not have problems with it at all. Just recently I built a closet with two drawers on bottom of it (armwa) if thats spelled correctly and when i was building the doors i had cut and plained the rails and left them for a day and night or two and when i came back they where all worpped up i mean bad. I definetly would make sure that the pine that you use if that is what you are going with, i would make sure that they are good quality boards and have no compression wood in them. I would probly buy real good #2s or #1s for the project and use vineer covered paneling for the panels. And down here where i live you can buy that paneling for about twelve thirteen dollors a sheet. With that being said you could buy about a good ten to fifteen 2x4s and mill them down for the inside braces. And cut and mill them down for the doors. I think its a good idea but I would make sure that the 2x4s are in real good condition. Hope every thing on your project works out well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 SIP can make some very nice 'country' or American period pieces. It's got a Janka of about 700, so it will get a bit more banged-up over time, then say mahogany (900) or maple (900-1400), but will hold up much better then yellow pine (about 400). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 I must have worked with the softer of the pines referred to above. I can put a gouge in the pine availble here without much effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff0520 Posted November 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 I noticed the big orange box has Poplar available for not much more than the premium Southern Yellow Pine. I might have to give that some thought as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Look around for a lumberyard that has poplar or whatever you decide to use. The big box is not the best place to buy cabinet or furniture wood. You will find better prices and a better selection at a hardwood supplier or maybe look for cabinetmakers supply houses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff0520 Posted November 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 I don't have a joiner or planer though. Rough cut lumber is just not going to work for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdale51@yahoo.com Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Jeff, Most of the time a lumberyard, mill or hardwood supplier will dimension lumber for a nominal fee. But I'd compare prices and see where you come out on top; mill or big box store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 ==> come out on top; mill or big box store. think he'd do better overall at the mill. if you call ahead and tell them what you are looking for and ask them to pick a date/time, many times they will pull some boards that are a bit 'better'. obviously, if you could email them a cut list and rough stick count, then it would help them help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 The mill I buy from has plenty of hardwood that is surfaced 2 sides and 1 edge straight line ripped. Ask for S2S lumber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Try HobbyHardwood in your area. He seems to have good prices and will plane. Looks like a small sawmill where you can get your logs sawn and he kiln dries and sells wood as well. What he has in stock might vary from week to week. Just found him from a quick search, never been there myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Pants Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 well, I'm in Alabama, so I'd think southern yellow pine would be plentiful and cheap Buy wider widths, they tend to be clearer boards, let them sit for a while (assuming you're buying from a big box and getting dimensionals) as it'll be a little wet. Beyond that SYP works very well and is hard for a pine. I've used it a lot for shop cabinet facings, my workbench is SYP etc. It is however heavy, which may not work for you as you mentioned weight is a factor. For cost, weight clarity etc. I'd second poplar. You can stain it, paint it etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Jeff, if you are making these for a camper, and weight is an issue, I would suggest birch ply for the boxes and poplar or basswood for the faces if you are going to paint them. I don't suggest buying any dimensioned lumber from the box stores because it never seems to be the same thickness from one board to the next. If you don't have a planer to make them all the same, then you would have a nightmare job on your hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff0520 Posted December 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Ok, I'll see if I can find HobbyHardwood. Never heard of it. when I searched for hardwood in the area, all I found was a bunch of places doing tongue and groove hardwood flooring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 I built pine cabinets for=a mobile home I had in the mid 90’s. The profile is cabinet guys like it 13/16 for doors and you won’t find that at the lumber yard. It’s hard to get the profiles needed for the doors. Cabinet guys normally won’t mess wit( it, but if your trying to budget, it’s fine.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 Ancient thread revived by a spammer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 14 Report Share Posted September 14 Doesn’t matter , still can be informative.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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