I am currently replacing the bed on my 53. I plan on using “benelex” for my bed blocks. It is a laminate of wood particle sheets bonded by synthetic resin under pressure. It is a very dense, heavy, and solid material. It was manufactured by Masonite in the recent past, but is no longer in production.
It has the following specs:
Compressive strength of 24,000 psi minimum perpendicular to sheet.
Tensile strength of 7,000 psi minimum parallel to sheet and 450 psi minimum perpendicular to sheet.
I have had heavy equipment sitting on it for 20 years, have submerged it in water for weeks, and have baked it in the hot Florida sun, with no change in appearance or dimensional stability. Due to lack of a “real” winter in Florida, I even froze it in the freezer..
If anyone knows why this is not an acceptable material, please let me know.
I have over 50 feet of 2 x 2 inch blocks. If anyone needs 2 x 2 X 2 1/4 or 2 x 2 x 2 1/2 blocks, I offer a set for *free* to any stovebolter, while it lasts. Let me know if you need some.
