Thread: Quick Question - Melamine 595mm dimension

not old enough to answer this but check those measurements against old imperial, some things just wont die.

Originally Posted by ravencsr

Just a quick question......
Why is melamine at 595mm and 445mm rather than 600mm and 450mm ?

Is it just the kerf thickness when ripping larger sheets or are they standard cabinet making dimensions for some reason?

Thankyou !

Correct-1200 sheet cut in half -thickness of blade. Some veneer and ply sheets are still 2440x1220 (8x4foot), and usually it’s because they’re made on old pressing machines that are still set up in imperial sizing, or built that way.

And here's me thinking it was sized that way to create an "off the shelf" solution for the depths required for installing shelving into the typical dimension of kitchen cabinet... I didn't think sheets of this size were for building cabinets, rather, for fitting them out?

Originally Posted by Tonyz

not old enough to answer this but check those measurements against old imperial, some things just wont die.

I don’t know what you served your time as but imperial was still the go where I did.
I’m only a couple of years older than you.
My first intro to metric was the 205 tyres for my ute.
It was the mid 70s before general intro of metric in my trade.
Made me laugh when I did a furniture design course in 83/84 and the Pom from the Royal College of Art insisted on imperial. Didn’t worry me but the young guys struggled.
The Canadians still use both.
H.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

And here's me thinking it was sized that way to create an "off the shelf" solution for the depths required for installing shelving into the typical dimension of kitchen cabinet... I didn't think sheets of this size were for building cabinets, rather, for fitting them out?

I think you will find most kitchen manufacturers base cupboards are only 560 to 580 deep. I would say the general reference for a 600 cupboard is to the bench top on it.

When I was working (white boards cabinet maker) for a 600mm bench we bought in 3600 X 595 X 16 mm shelving with 1mm tape on one long side. We cut them down into 550mm and when assembling would use a 3mm white MDF over the sides and the finished cupboard was 554mm. With a 16/20mm door on the front the top would hang over the front about 30mm. This cupboard allowed for a drop in style sink.
For the old Star Sink the shelving was cut to 420mm. With a 3mm back this allowed the sink to hang past the doors by 5mm or so.
Our overhead cupboards were 295. We fitted edged rails at the back 100mm high and put the 3mm White MDF over the sides.
Today there is a preference for 16mm white backs. Yes it looks better but it does add weight and $ to the cupboard

Anyone wanting to make white cupboards can buy the edged shelving and cut and assemble the cupboards without trying to put their own edging on or having to cart them to an edgebander. This is how I built kitchens at home when I didn't need an edge banding machine

“For the old Star Sink the shelving was cut to 420mm.”

Havent heard those Star sinks mentioned in Years , good one.

Originally Posted by chambezio

Today there is a preference for 16mm white backs. Yes it looks better but it does add weight and $ to the cupboard

Might add to weight and cost, but makes it easier to hang on hollow walls. (Unlike some flat pack cabinets.)

A similar issue here.

Sub-sheets of ply wood, Imperial 48 inches by 96 inches come in various sizes. The most popular is 24 by 24, nominal. However they will be found almost any dimension between 23½ and 24¼ inches. When trying to figure out why I discovered that the sheets are cut by the newest guy at Home Depot.

Also, there are some "Industrial" sheets of Melamine on ¾ particle board that are sized 49 by 97. I went to my usual supplier and before they pulled the sheets for my order they measured the space between the wheel covers in the bed of the pick up truck. I was told that the industrial sheets do not fit between the wheels of some pick up trucks.