How to Join Boards:

• Sawing – The PalmEco Board can easily be cut using a normal fine-toothed saw, fret tool or an electric tool such as a jigsaw or portable grinder. Use an industrial cutter for 3 mm thick PalmEco Boards. In cutting large quantities of PalmEco Boards, use a circular saw affixed on a working table.
• Drilling – Use masonry drills to countersink or drill screws. Use low/high-speed drills for better results. Place the board under the drilling location for a clean hole. Use a hammer for wooden and concrete nailers.
• Planning & Sanding – Use a planer, sander, surform, rasp or file to smoothen the edges. Use conventional papers for sanding.
• Jointing – PalmEco boards are suitable for both timber and metal framing. Studs are recommended to be placed at 407 mm centers. A gap of 2 mm between joints is required. Be sure to fill the gaps for partitions. Before filing, each gap must be cleaned of all dust and debris to prevent surface cracking. The contact point between the sealants and boards may be compromised. These procedures must be constructed according to local building regulations and practice.
• Fixing – “Use self-drilling for screwing“. Screw diameter must be from 3.5-4.2mm, the length should be 2.5 times the panel thickness. Fixing must be at 200mm nominal centers,  and the perimeter of panel fixings must be 10mm from the edge of the board.  All edges must coincide with support structures. 6mm thick Palmeco board can be stapled with 16 gauge, 6mm crown x 25mm long rust-proof staples.
• Cutting – Palmeco boards can easily at a transverse orientation. Use a cutter or knife on the face side of a 3mm thick board. A line may be ruled prior to cutting. The rule is drawn on the board at the required distance, as it also can be scored with the knife at the end of the rule. The boards should be pressed with both hands, cut and snap over a straight edge. Use a sharp circular saw (120 carbide teeth) and set the speed above 3000 rpm for a smooth and clean cut.
• Nailing – Use a manual or power nailing with a flat-headed stainless steel nail. The diameter must be 2.2 or 3.1mm, length 2.5 times the panel thickness. For power nailing, tools must be set to 3-4 bars and finely adjusted to achieve required penetration. Position the board steadily against a background structure. The boards can also be stapled depending on board thickness and the compressor equipment used.
• Support Structures – PalmEco Boards can rest on timber or steel supports at a maximum of 600 centers for 15mm and 18mm thick Palmeco boards.

Palmeco Boards in Making Furniture:

1. Mark and cut the PalmEco Boards based on the planned and specifications. Cut like pieces at once for efficiency. Should you need to add any decorative edges or details with a router, drill holes for hardware and other machining tasks before assembly. Note: Palmeco boards can be pre-laminated in 4X8 ft. board before cutting.

2. Sand edges before gluing and finish (e.g. laminated profiles, ducco, etc.).  Note:PalmEco Board’s smooth side does not require sanding and is suitable for coating (e.g. paint or laminates).

3. Glue all joints. Reinforce with pin nails and screws until the glue hardens. Clamp larger pieces with bar clamps. Assemble your project by section. For example, a table base and top can be assembled separately before joining to complete the project.
4. Sand the excess glue that may interfere with the finish. Use a 220 grit on a random sander.
5. Coat three times with high gloss paints for an excellent finish. Follow label instructions for application and dry time.  Note: Palmeco boards can accommodate latex, automotive and enamel paints.