Final Advice needed

[scalawag]

Ok, I've got vacation coming up next week and plan on building 2 enclosures for my BP based on HetForHumans design http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25282 . Great, simple design BTW.
I can't find melamine anywhere in 5/8" sheets. I am an apartment dweller so unfortunately ease and convenience will play a major role in which direction I go in. My options are 3/4" melamine and deal with a heavier enclosure but will be less work OR go with an exterior grade plywood 5/8" and paint, epoxy, which would add several more steps and much more work for me living in a limited space such as an apartment. I'm leaning toward the 3/4" melamine at this point. Any last thoughts. Thanks.

[sapphire_moon]

add handles and wheels :) Good luck! lol

[dcboas]

Could you go with 1/2 inch,it would turn out lighter and the strength is not lessened if put together well.Let us know what you did and show us ,too.

[FoShizzleDizzle]

I was thinking of using those plans too for a bp(great plans). I think 3/4 would be best... I'm also in an apartment so I understand how you feel. Well, let us know what you end up going with. Tell me how much you pay for everything. Good luck!

[scalawag]

I'm still banging my head trying to decide. Lowes and Home Depot has run almost all the lumber companies out of business. The few that are left don't stock any melamine. Home depot only has it in 3/4". AHHHHHHHHHHHH,
If I did go with plywood, I was planning on painting and epoxying prior to screwing together. Is that good or should I put together first???

[FoShizzleDizzle]

I put mine together first. I then stained it and then epoxy. I did that thinking the epoxy would fill in the corners and seal them. It's drying right now and so far it looks good.

[FoShizzleDizzle]

and if you epoxy first, it might be pretty hard trying to drive a screw through it...

[scalawag]

Ahh Bach... Good point.