Laminate for TS station

[BigguyZ]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I still may just go with whatever Menards or Lowes has in stock, but if I'm going to spend what I'm spending on this thing, an extra $10-$15 on laminate isn't much in the long run... But until I check it out it's all conjecture, so I'm dropping by Menards today after work.

[BigguyZ]

I checked out Menards, HD, and Lowes last night. I found the Wilsonart Ebony Star product, but there seems to be several difference finishes it's available in. There's a 90 finish, and a 50 finish sample that I found. The 90 is slightly testured and a matte appearance. The 50 finish is glossy and has a regular but more exagerated texture to it. I obviously want to go with the 50, but even though the sample was at HD- they don't carry it. The 50 finish was also $75 for a 4'x8' sheet!

So- unless I can find another supplier for cheap, Menards had a Formica style called microdot that I think I'll go with.

Before I pull the trigger- any more suggestions?

[BigguyZ]

Well the micro dot Formica is about $45. But the $75 is for the 90 finish Ebony Star... That's the matte much less textured (and more drag) version. No one I talked to could even get me the 50, but they said you could get it crystal coated, but it's end up being like $150+ total since they have to use a completely different finish process. I don't think it's the same as the 50 finish, but again that wasn't even in their books.... I'll try to call some local dealers that aren't the big box stores.

And I agree that $75 would be fine if we're talking about the good quality glossy 50 finish. But for something that looks like it'd perform on par with the Formica, I don't think I'd spend the extra $30 on the Ebony Star 90 product.

[mikel]

I would just use the cheaper laminate and start making sawdust...


beat it up and in a few years make another one.


...mikel

[BigguyZ]

OK- I just learned a lesson. Never go to a big box retailer when yo have a distributer in the area. The distributer has 4'x8' sheets of the Ebony Star 50 finish in stock for $80! Not cheap, but less than what I would pay for that finish through a BORG, Menards, or Lowes. Or online even... Now I need to figure out if the single sheet is enough to cover the edge banding as well, or if I want to get with some T-molding...