What would you use to make a homebrew / whitewood playfield ?

[Moonbus]

As per the title.

Lots of folk on here from many walks of life. Looking for people's thoughts on what they would consider using to make a playfield.

Looking for something readily available on the UK high Street or industrial park that can be used with available pinball mechs.

 

[domlouis]

Plywood?

 

[Arv]

I'd go for marine plywood.

 

[Moonbus]

The original size was 17/32" maple ply.
So i'm leaning towards 12 or 15mm birch ply.

I was curious if anyone had tried MDF or other particle boards.

 

[Sven Normansson]

original was 17/32" which was then sanded to 1/2"

All of the mechanisms, targets etc are designed for 1/2" so you'll want to stick to as close as possible. If you use 12mm then don't sand it too much (this is what most of us do). Marine ply is better as its made from a hardwood and has no voids in it. If you want to use baltic birch then B grade (no knots or voids) is best. If its just a rough whitewood some 12mm from B&Q is plenty good enough. DO NOT USE MDF, it has no strength and you risk it snapping in 2 when you have all the weight attached to it and you lift it, also it is a class 3 carcinogen.