Folding shelf extension

[RickH]

I came across a neat addition a guy had done to a folding shelf on a Smoker. This as standard has a small folding shelf – too small to be much use.
I don’t want to go quite that big …. 30” x 12” would suit my smoker.

In the post the guy mentions he nipped into Bunnings and picked up hardwood plank for a couple of dollars.
Being realistic, his 40” x 12” x 1.5” hardwood, certainly not going to be cheap in UK.


Have a couple of thought welcome comments of alternate suggestions.
1 - Use some ¾” ply and oil up the face of it.

2- I have some unused Oak engineered flooring .. has a 7mm Oak veneer – when fitted joints are glued and are flush & tight.

3- Could use a couple of pieces of 8” wide planks and back it with ½ ply or similar.

4 - Consider getting hardwood T&G and make up a board, again back it with plywood


For all of them would need to edge all round with some beading of sorts.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Only need to use hardwood if you particularly care about the appearance or outdoor longevity.

 

[RickH]

Only need to use hardwood if you particularly care about the appearance or outdoor longevity.

It is used outdoors but not left there, kept indoors with a cover over it.
Any thoughts on opt 2 or 3
I can finish wood with Tung oil for a working finish.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Oiled finish is good IMO, it means you can re-finish and touch up without sanding it all back.

Option 2, the edges won't look very nice [as they're not meant to be seen], so you could frame it with some strips of solid wood with mitred corners. You will want to keep on top of the finish, food and drink left on a timber surface will degrade it. There's a reason why laminate worktops are the easy option!
Option 3, 1/2" ply is probably overkill, that will take some serious load.

It's your choice really, Option 3 will be simpler to construct.

 

[opps]

Wow, outside of the Simpsons, I didn't realise that Duff beer exists.

 

[RickH]

Wow, outside of the Simpsons, I didn't realise that Duff beer exists.

I have no idea what that means sorry, do you wish to explain.

 

[RickH]

Oiled finish is good IMO, it means you can re-finish and touch up without sanding it all back.

Job done - I went with piece of 32” x 12” x 3/4” WBP plywood I had spare.
Framed all round with 1/2” x 3/4” softwood, and run a half round router round the top edge to make it a bit neater.
Gave it 3 coats of Tung oil diluted with white spirit, then one coat neat .. finished, abd in use.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

I have no idea what that means sorry, do you wish to explain.

It's the brand of beer that Homer Simpson drinks. opps thought it was a fictional beer, it was originally, but now it's available to buy [I've seen it in Lidl].