I opted for security and extreme durability and I fashioned my hatchway with the same material used in cutting boards. I own restaurants and found our cutting boards (white polysafe) to be extremely resilient and secure. You even have a huge cutting board (one piece hatch) for the party filleting.
Best wood for hatch board?
- Thread starter Ed Schenck
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Ed, I liked the plywood idea best. One part is good. i think you could add a trim piece around screen trim at the depot. epoxy it up good. Clear or paint is good, Then if your real serious and i know you are. put a pin in it so it cant come out unless you want it too. The plywood is much stronger and lighter. you can get finished ply with a nice skin in any thing you like.
ED a
ED a
Exteriior Wood Hatchboards
I am a fan of IPE wood, but it is not light. It would have to be dowelled as your picture to get one piece.. may not be an option, but if ya brought the materials and dimensions to a cabinet shop it probably could be fabbed for not too much. Attached picture is of a tool box (tung oil rub finish) made of IPE .. You can see the raw wood inside the opened cover. Probably more tough and rot resistant than teak.
I am a fan of IPE wood, but it is not light. It would have to be dowelled as your picture to get one piece.. may not be an option, but if ya brought the materials and dimensions to a cabinet shop it probably could be fabbed for not too much. Attached picture is of a tool box (tung oil rub finish) made of IPE .. You can see the raw wood inside the opened cover. Probably more tough and rot resistant than teak.
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Re: Exteriior Wood Hatchboards
There are many species that could work for the job. There needs to be a balance between weight and hardness and ease of handling. Black locust is hard, very heavy and very durable. But I would not use it here because it is too heavy. Western red cadar is light, quite soft and only moderately strong. It would get all dinged up in the first year. Ipe is very hard and very heavy. Cypress is moderately hard , moderately strong and quite durable. Sassafras is a little harder and heavier than cypress and quite a bit stronger.
There are many species that could work for the job. There needs to be a balance between weight and hardness and ease of handling. Black locust is hard, very heavy and very durable. But I would not use it here because it is too heavy. Western red cadar is light, quite soft and only moderately strong. It would get all dinged up in the first year. Ipe is very hard and very heavy. Cypress is moderately hard , moderately strong and quite durable. Sassafras is a little harder and heavier than cypress and quite a bit stronger.
LEXAN is the way to GO.. If you can find it for free!
Wish I could recommend wood..I used Lexan plexiglas. I found it for free.
I painted it brown and it resembles wood. Also left a couple voids for light to shine through.
It has lasted for years and weathered well.. Scratches here and there of course..
I went around the perimeter of the door with ( cut in half ) white garden hose. This keeps it snug in the slot..
Wish I could recommend wood..I used Lexan plexiglas. I found it for free.
I painted it brown and it resembles wood. Also left a couple voids for light to shine through.
It has lasted for years and weathered well.. Scratches here and there of course..
I went around the perimeter of the door with ( cut in half ) white garden hose. This keeps it snug in the slot..
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