Replacement baseboard for Omega D5

Hi,

Does anyone have a suggestion for a replacement baseboard for a Omega D5?

The current one I have looks a little warped from water damage and this doesn't allow it to sit even. I was thinking perhaps a section of counter top could be used. I could buy a replacement online, but they are somewhat expensive (more than I paid for the whole set up).

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Martin

You don't say where you are, which makes it a bit difficult to recommend specific materials. I'd try medium density fiberboard (MDF) here in the US. This material is sometimes available in different grades/densities, but Home Depot usually carries it. Other types of manufactured (non-solid wood) panels are available, but are often too flexible and warp too easily. MDF of the correct grade is composed of compressed resins and very small wood particles, formed under about 50,000 lbs/sq in of pressure. It has a very flat surface and is very stiff. You'd be best off applying a laminate to prevent moisture absorption and consequent warping. Edge banding is probably also a good idea. Save the hardware from your current baseboard and fit it to the new base.

Lee

And referring to Lee's post, If you glue two pieces together You would have an inch & a half thick construction. Stable is the word in spades.

I use a baseboard made from the stuff they use to build kitchens, you know, the white laminated stuff. It's very cheap, you can get it as big and thick as you want and it last for a long time. You can get it at any do it yourself shop.

Plywood will warp and particle board will disintegrate from water and MDF will warp. I have used them and over time they will not be true...the only sure way is to use metal channel as stiffeners under the baseboard of whatever material you use. MDF with a couple of one inch metal channels underneath as stiffeners and then covered on top and sides with plastic laminate (formica or wilsonart) would be my choice...

I've made them out of two layers of MDF and painted them and that worked out well. I also acquired one not too long ago from classicenlargers.com that was reasonably priced. My enlarger is now mounted to the wall with a wall-mount I bought on eBay for way too little $$. I like the wall mount very much because it means I have a smooth worksurface for other work: loading film holders, alt processes (handcoating Palladium), spotting, etc.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I have a good sense of the materials Í'll need to move forward with the project.

-Martin