Making a large cabinet from melamine (particleboard)

I want to make a relatively large cabinet for storage in our living room (think kids toys, blankets, shoes etc).

Rough plan is 2000mm long, 600mm deep, and 800mm tall.

I'm thinking of constructing 3 cabinet carcasses from 16mm melamine particleboard from bunnings. Adding a pine face frame and MDF "shaker style" doors and/or drawers. Solid wood top probably stained pine with face frame and doors painted a yet to be determined colour.

Will particleboard be strong enough for the carcass construction? Only reason I'm thinking of using it is cost compared to plywood. Or is 18mm MDF suitable for carcass construction? It won't see a lot of abuse but will be used by toddlers/kids so will need to stand up to those rigours.

Something kinda like this but taller, not bench height

Attachment 493246

Should be fine, keeping in mind that melamine coating is not as tough as a laminate so exposed ends should also be covered.

yeah size wise you should be fine. but shop around for the melamine, Bunnings is not the cheapest place to get it from.

honestly talk to a kitchen and joinery mob, probably just as cheap and easy to give them the dimensions and have then cut everything to size and you just assemeble

Use MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and go 18mm thick. The cut edges of fibreboard are a lot easer to work as opposed to particle/chipboard.

Hi guys

Thanks for replies.

Is it OK to use pocket holes in MDF. Reading some conflicting info online.

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Originally Posted by havabeer69

yeah size wise you should be fine. but shop around for the melamine, Bunnings is not the cheapest place to get it from.

honestly talk to a kitchen and joinery mob, probably just as cheap and easy to give them the dimensions and have then cut everything to size and you just assemeble

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Thank you. I had considered approaching the guy who did our kitchen.

But I'm looking to buy a track saw and kinda justifying the purchase based on this project and a couple of others I have coming up.

Hi Keano. Melamine is used all day every day by kitchen cabinet manufacturers everywhere. Using face frames will cover exposed edges of particle board. Carcasses can be made with butt joins and screws. Pay patricular attention to the quality of blade you get for your track saw, Festool sell a good one about $120. Pocket hole join your face frames.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by havabeer69

yeah size wise you should be fine. but shop around for the melamine, Bunnings is not the cheapest place to get it from.

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I found Bunnings cheaper for 2.4 x 1.2 moisture resistant melamine but I don’t like the mat finish on the sheets they stock. Paid more to get sheets with a slight texture from a local business. Got quotes from a couple a couple of places before I purchased. Maybe the textured finish melamine costs more.