I'm not a boater but I am a woodworker and was wondering if anyone can tell
me about this "starboard" or marine grade plastic sheet.

I've never used it before.

I'd like to know how well the edges can be finished on the material, with a
sander, buffer, jointer? or?

I can finish acrylic edges fine but have yet to meet a plastic that will
give a good finished edge......but I had someone suggest this Starboard
stuff. (would like 3/8" thick or 1/4")

Thanks.

"Michael" wrote in message
. ..
I'm not a boater but I am a woodworker and was wondering if anyone can
tell me about this "starboard" or marine grade plastic sheet.

I've never used it before.

I'd like to know how well the edges can be finished on the material, with
a sander, buffer, jointer? or?

I can finish acrylic edges fine but have yet to meet a plastic that will
give a good finished edge......but I had someone suggest this Starboard
stuff. (would like 3/8" thick or 1/4")

Thanks.


I never worked with it but here are some good links on cutting and finishing
starboard:

http://www.tacomarine.com/support/St..._starboard.htm

http://www.wps.on.ca/plastic4boats/starboard.pdf

On Mon, 26 Dec 2005 10:30:51 -0500, "Michael"
wrote:

I'd like to know how well the edges can be finished on the material, with a
sander, buffer, jointer? or?

I can finish acrylic edges fine but have yet to meet a plastic that will
give a good finished edge......but I had someone suggest this Starboard
stuff. (would like 3/8" thick or 1/4")

================================================== ====

You should be able to finish the edge by wet sanding with
progressively finer grits starting around 320 and ending up at 1500 or
2000. Follow up with a quick buffing using a good polishing compound
and it should be mirror smooth.

Starboard is a brand of polyethylene sheet sold for boat trim uses. It is
easily cut and shaped with saws, planes and routers but doesn't sand well.
It weathers very well but is heavy and does not have good stiffness or
strength for its weight.
Being polyehylene (think milk jugs) it does not hold a finish and can only
be glued using specialized and pricey adhesives.



"Michael" wrote in message
. ..
I'm not a boater but I am a woodworker and was wondering if anyone can
tell
me about this "starboard" or marine grade plastic sheet.

I've never used it before.

I'd like to know how well the edges can be finished on the material, with
a
sander, buffer, jointer? or?

I can finish acrylic edges fine but have yet to meet a plastic that will
give a good finished edge......but I had someone suggest this Starboard
stuff. (would like 3/8" thick or 1/4")

Thanks.