1/4" or 1/2"

[jmason]

Alright. So I have a question for all y'all build-a-jibbers out there. I have access to HDPE cut in whatever dimensions or shapes or w/e I want. I only have one key question that I'd like answered by people with experience. What are the advantages and/or disadvantages to 1/4" or 1/2" thick HDPE? Please list everything you know. Any issues with countersinking or cracking or what?

 

[Lineskiah11]

you can use 1/4 no problem, thats what ive used. its easy to countersink and bends really easy if you making a rainbow or whatever. the problem is once it gets older it will crack on the corners when you countersink most likely. I would go with ½ inch if I had a choice and money wasn’t an issue ¼ doesn’t crack that bad but it has more of a potential to. You could use beafier screw on ½ inch too which would be nice

 

[jmason]

bumpalicious

 

[i0z]

if you can get the 1/2 inch thats your best bet...it just costs more....but more sturdy. i have 1/4 inch i dont have a problem with it and i have it a year and a half and its easyenough to countersink. thats on my big box rail. on another kink rail i built i used 1/4 inch and did a combination of countersinking the begining and end of each piece and using liquid nails thoughout the rest and thats not coming off anytime soon.

 

[ontwosticks]

how deep did you counter sink the screws into 1/4" hdpe? it seems like such a small amount to be able to counter sink that it would be really difficult.

 

[ILoveOhio]

Countersinking with 1/4" HDPE is easy, just use some medium or small sized screws. The real hard thing is countersinking 1/8" HDPE......it doesn't work too well.