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How to make a DIY marble look plinth?

SarahK1996

Hi Team!

I am looking at making a DIY marble look plinth like I have seen online. I have bought some porcelain tiles which I plan on sticking to an MDF plinth that I will assemble. I’m just having trouble working out the dimensions of the MDF that I will need to grab and get cut in store so that I have the correct amounts. I’m terrible at math and wanting to ensure I get the right amount of MDF cut in store without wasting anything! Would love your help!

The porcelain tiles are 625 x 320mm.

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Jewelleryrescue

Hi @SarahK1996

Nice little xmas project.

Ok I did the Mdf maths on the marble corners over lapping. The over lapping tiles and very neat finish that match the picture you want a design for. There design isnt a perfect square by its very nature but we will never notice.

So I am basing this design on 16mm Mdf panel The thickness 16mm is the important part changing this thickness changes the numbers. FYI Tile size 625 x320mm I HAD TO ASSUME TILE THICKNESS IS 10mm thick as I have similar tiles.

The math changes if they are thinner than this. A 2mm bigger tile (ie 12mm) is ok as glue can fill any voids.

Panel 1 and panel 2 Cut measurements are 624 x 319mm . Two panels here

Panel 3 and panel 4 Cut measurements are 624 x 267mm Two Panels here

I took 1mm off the exact measurements to allow for slight real world errors It is better the timber plinith is slightly smaller size than too large ie bigger than the tiles.

Top and bottom panel inserts between all sides. I set measurments 1mm smaller as glue can fill any gap. Too big means recutting it.

Top and bottom Panel is 266 x 287mm Total of two panels here

Screw them together like a box,

Panel 1 and 2 on opposite sides.

Panel 3 and 4 sit inside 1 and 2 making the box.

Use the top panel and bottom panel as guides.

Assemble onto bottom panel first. Bottom panel designed to sit inside all the 4 wall panels.

Buy the following partical board all your panels can be cut out of this. save the left overs for other projects?

2400 x 1200mm 16mm Particleboard Panel Standard I/N: 0447549 $46

https://www.bunnings.com.au/2400-x-1200mm-16mm-particleboard-panel-standard_p0447549

And have the crew cut Panels the 6 panels to size out of this.

Well good luck to us both have fun.

JacobZ

Hi @SarahK1996,

Thank you for sharing your project plans. It certainly looks like a great project and I'm happy to help.

Unfortunately, due to a recent change in policy, our stores will no longer make precision cuts to sheet materials. We can cut them to the nearest 100mm, but you will have to do precise cuts yourself.

I am more than happy to assist with this if you require it, but the technique shown in How To Cut Laminate Benchtop is the basic idea.

@Jewelleryrescue's calculations look good, but you should consider how you are going to finish the corners as it will likely affect the dimensions of the MDF.

You can run one tile past the corner and butt the other tile into it, but you will have exposed edges that don't look very nice.

Your inspiration image looks like the tiles have been mitred, or it is a vinyl wrap. Mitring tiles is an advanced technique that is not easy, so a way around this is to use tile trims for your corners, but this would need to be taken into account when sizing the MDF.

Let me know what you think, and I'll be happy to double check things will work for you.

Jacob

Jewelleryrescue

hi @SarahK1996

Just to add to @JacobZ observations the top tile will also have to be cut and the sharp edges removed and the tile exposed edges will be visable So a good place for the tile trims.

SarahK1996

Omg you’re amazing! Thankyou so much for this. You are an absolute star! I cannot wait to do this project now! Appreciate you so much, I’ll keep you posted on how I go!

SarahK1996

Hi Jacob!

Oh! That’s okay! At least they will be able to do some cuts I guess won’t they? I’m glad I asked here first!

And I totally get what you mean about the corners and edges! I was thinking of running a glue like/silicone that my friend who works at a stonemason can match the colour of the tiles for me! Thoughts on that?

SarahK1996

Thankyou so so much! You’re a lifesaver!

JacobZ

Hi @SarahK1996,

You can have the MDF cut to the nearest 100mm for ease of transport, you'll just have to trim them to size at home.

Colour-matched filler will work well.

I can't wait to see how you go.

Jacob

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