Materials for Tortoise Tables.

Finfendy · 12-04-2016, 12:37 PM

As you may have seen from my welcome post, my Mr will be making our tortoise table, last night he asked me if there was any materials we should avoid so I'm asking on here?

Are we safe to use MR MDF, MDF or Ply? I know most ply has Formaldehyde in it, is this toxic to tortoises? Zero formaldehyde ply is available but costs more.

It's likely it will be constructed from melamine as it's easy too clean, it's just figuring what the core material.

Sorry if this is a bit too much jargon, I'm a joinery estimator and he is a carpenter.

wigwamman · 12-04-2016, 01:02 PM

hi there,i personally use what ever i have lying around,my tort tables are made from melamine faced chipboard with a plywood bottom,the hatchling table is made from tongue and groove off cuts and a piece of plastic facia board screwed onto an old computer desk.the world is your oyster.i suppose where you want to keep your table will have a bearing on what it looks like.

Ozric Jonathan · 12-04-2016, 01:51 PM

Hi there. As far as I know MDF and suchlike are alright for tortoises. There is a bit of concern out there that formaldehyde might not be all that good for human beings but the fact it that most people's homes in the UK are full of things that have formaldehyde in them.

My indoor multi-storey table is made from building grade ply and planed pine wood. I stuck cheap floor tiles onto the base and lower parts of the side.

I wish I had access to a free carpenter! Wood is a great material for building habitats for tortoises because we an easily change it about and fix other bits onto it etc. I find that I'm often adjusting something by drilling, hammering or screwing into the wood. So it probably doesn't make sense to use better quality stuff.

Gordon · 12-04-2016, 04:34 PM

Don't use any form of chipboard unless you seal it or it will rot within 5 minutes.
And I would never use mdf as years back I used it to make chameleon pens and all the ones in mdf pens died not sure if it was the glue or not but it can't be that good if you are advised to wear a dust mask when cutting it.

Plywood and decking boards or any other timber.

Finfendy · 13-04-2016, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I really wasn't sure about the MDF, the dust from that is nasty stuff so I think we will avoid it for the table.
Will post some pictures when it's done. Already order some bits to go in it.

12-04-2016, 12:37 PM	#1
Finfendy Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 60	Materials for Tortoise Tables. As you may have seen from my welcome post, my Mr will be making our tortoise table, last night he asked me if there was any materials we should avoid so I'm asking on here? Are we safe to use MR MDF, MDF or Ply? I know most ply has Formaldehyde in it, is this toxic to tortoises? Zero formaldehyde ply is available but costs more. It's likely it will be constructed from melamine as it's easy too clean, it's just figuring what the core material. Sorry if this is a bit too much jargon, I'm a joinery estimator and he is a carpenter.

12-04-2016, 01:51 PM	#3
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	Hi there. As far as I know MDF and suchlike are alright for tortoises. There is a bit of concern out there that formaldehyde might not be all that good for human beings but the fact it that most people's homes in the UK are full of things that have formaldehyde in them. My indoor multi-storey table is made from building grade ply and planed pine wood. I stuck cheap floor tiles onto the base and lower parts of the side. I wish I had access to a free carpenter! Wood is a great material for building habitats for tortoises because we an easily change it about and fix other bits onto it etc. I find that I'm often adjusting something by drilling, hammering or screwing into the wood. So it probably doesn't make sense to use better quality stuff. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

12-04-2016, 01:02 PM	#2
wigwamman Member Juvenile Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: west midlands Posts: 800	hi there,i personally use what ever i have lying around,my tort tables are made from melamine faced chipboard with a plywood bottom,the hatchling table is made from tongue and groove off cuts and a piece of plastic facia board screwed onto an old computer desk.the world is your oyster.i suppose where you want to keep your table will have a bearing on what it looks like.

12-04-2016, 04:34 PM	#4
Gordon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 5,675	Don't use any form of chipboard unless you seal it or it will rot within 5 minutes. And I would never use mdf as years back I used it to make chameleon pens and all the ones in mdf pens died not sure if it was the glue or not but it can't be that good if you are advised to wear a dust mask when cutting it. Plywood and decking boards or any other timber.

13-04-2016, 11:18 AM	#5
Finfendy Member Egg Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 60	Thanks for the feedback guys. I really wasn't sure about the MDF, the dust from that is nasty stuff so I think we will avoid it for the table. Will post some pictures when it's done. Already order some bits to go in it.

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