About six months ago I purchased a few quarter-sheets of 1/8″ tempered hardboard at a local Home Depot. It was blonde in color, smooth and hard on both sides. I use it to make partitions for my wife’s craft paint collection. I’ve tried to find some more of this material and can’t seem to find it anywhere. All that’s available is tempered hardboard which is smooth on one side and rough/textured on the back side. Can anyone steer me to a source/manufacturer/distributor which might know what I am seeking. I’ve tried every lumber yard and building supply dealer in my area and no one has the 1/8″ hardboard tempered on both sides like what I had. I am growing frustrated. Can you help. Thanks in advance for anything you can offer in my quest.
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Replies
It would appear that Home Depot buys odd lots of surplus material, especially in sheet goods, so you can't depend on finding the same stock there twice.
What you are looking for is simply specified as smooth both sides hardboard or Masonite, the brand name of the company that first made it. Often the smooth both sides is more readily available as double tempered, the harder version used to make clip boards and the like. Artists and sign makers both use this version of hardboard, you might check with an art supply store, which will probably be pricey, or a sign painting shop.
What you really need to find is a warehouse that sells sheet goods to cabinet shops and manufacturers, they would at least know what it is you are looking for and might stock it. Any metropolitan area would probably have one or more such suppliers.
John White
Edited 1/22/2008 7:24 pm ET by JohnWW
John,
Lowes has tempered hardboard with a smooth finish on both sides. However it is brown and almost 3/16".
Thanks for the good tip. I did find a source of a ultra-tempered hardboard but it didn't seem as hard as the original I had found and did not machine as cleanly. I'll continue looking. Thanks.
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