How to Create High-Density Particle Board

Particle board is made from wood chips which are glued together with resin and is commonly used to build furniture. The higher the density of the particle board, the sturdier it is. A major advantage of using particle board as opposed to solid wood is its lower cost. Another advantage is that particle board looks more even and homogeneous than wood. While making particle board is a difficult process, it is possible if one has the appropriate equipment and skills.

Wood
Disc chipper
Resin and sprayer
Rake
Machine to apply heat and pressure
Saw and sander

Instructions

- 1
  Feed raw wood into a disc chipper. Dry the chips and screen or sift out particles that are too small or too big.
- 2
  Spray resin onto the chips and mix it in. Use melamine formaldehyde if you want the board to be water-resistant, or urea formaldehyde if you don't.
- 3
  Pour the mix onto a sheet and use a rake to distribute larger chips to the center of the board, small chips to the outside. This makes the outside smoother and gives it an appealing look.
- 4
  Apply heat and pressure to the sheet. These variables can vary; greater heat will allow the board to dry more quickly, while greater pressure will increase the board's density.
- 5
  Allow the board to cool, then trim and sand it.

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