Reliable source for Buffalo Boards

[Simon (Hawksmoor)]

I need to find two 8' x 4' sheets of genuine Buffalo Board to replace the deck boards and locker covers on my narrowboat.

Our boatyard has tried and failed twice to source good quality stuff. On both occasions he bought off EBay and the board delaminated in months.

I suspect he did not receive GENUINE Buffalo Board

I have been looking on-line and see a wide variance in price (and I suspect quality)

Some at £160 per sheet (Chiltern Timber)

Some as high as £250 per sheet (Ply Direct)

Some as low as £95 per sheet (Sheet Materials Wholesale)

 

I am looking for a recommendation for a reliable source of the real thing not a cheap imitation.

How much should I be paying for this?

Stafford / Stoke-on-Trent  area

 

[blackrose]

I never used GENUINE Buffalo board to replace my deck boards and 7 years later they are still as new. It's all about sealing the cut edges.

[magnetman]

Also called Hexagrip 

Or Phenolic Ply. 

 

 

Presumably the OP has checked these out as well. 

21 minutes ago, blackrose said:

It's all about sealing the cut edges.

This is the key. 

 

Out if interest how did you do it? 

 

 

 

 

[Kendorr]

22 minutes ago, magnetman said:

Out if interest how did you do it? 

I did mine 6 years ago, 3 coats of Danish oil with 24 hours in between each to fully dry, then sprayed with black automotive spray paint.

[matty40s]

We are currently paying around the middle price you quote, it has doubled in 18 months.

[David Mack]

I was quoted £255 inc VAT for 2 sheets 2440 x 1220 x 18mm by Advanced Technical Panels of Leeds. This is for collection.

They were the supplier recommended by Brinklow Boats.

http://www.advancedtechnicalpanels.co.uk/products/buffalo-heksa-plus-and-wisa-hexa-grip

[Cheshire cat]

I have been told that the birch ply which forms the core used to come from Russia. 

 

Alternative sources have had to be found and certainly in some cases the quality is poor.

My local retailer used to supply 9mm through to 21mm but currently they can only get 18mm

[stagedamager]

Advanced Technical Panels would get my vote too

[MtB]

21 hours ago, Simon (Hawksmoor) said:

I need to find two 8' x 4' sheets of genuine Buffalo Board

 

Is there such a thing? 

 

I always thought buffalo board was the generic/slang term for the stuff more technically known as phenolic plywood.

 

"Hexagrip" is however, I suspect, a brand name. Or it might be "Hexa Grip"!

 

 

 

 

[Simon (Hawksmoor)]

My understanding is that "Hexagrip" and "Buffalo Board" are two brand names for the generic material which is phenolic plywood.

[magnetman]

Also used in horseboxes. 

 

Some interesting info here including how to deal with edges and screw holes. 

 

 

https://thehorselife.uk/horsebox-flooring/

Edited October 14, 2023 by magnetman

[blackrose]

On 13/10/2023 at 20:49, magnetman said:

This is the key. 

 

Out if interest how did you do it? 

 

 

20mm aluminium angle stuck onto the edges with Stixall. The sealant seals the cut edge and the aluminium prevents chafing of the sealant when lifting up and putting the deck boards back down.

 

It doesn't matter how many coats of paint or epoxy one applies to those cut edges if it gradually gets scraped off mechanically.

Edited October 15, 2023 by blackrose

[Francis Herne]

S. Keeling Timber are two minutes' walk from the canal at Etruria and have Buffalo Board.

 

Proper timber merchants with a good reputation so I'd hope it's the real thing. I'm buying some timber and plywood from them this week so will see what the quality of that is like.

 

Price is significantly lower than some of those quoted above; not sure if I'm missing something.

 

https://www.skeelingtimberonlineshop.co.uk/store/1220mm-X-2440mm-X-18mm-8ft-X-4ft-X-18mm-Phenolic-Coated-Buffalo-Board-Hexagon-Grip-Pattern-Black-Anti-Slip-Board-Best-Seller-p403486938

[matty40s]

13 hours ago, Francis Herne said:

S. Keeling Timber are two minutes' walk from the canal at Etruria and have Buffalo Board.

 

Proper timber merchants with a good reputation so I'd hope it's the real thing. I'm buying some timber and plywood from them this week so will see what the quality of that is like.

 

Price is significantly lower than some of those quoted above; not sure if I'm missing something.

 

https://www.skeelingtimberonlineshop.co.uk/store/1220mm-X-2440mm-X-18mm-8ft-X-4ft-X-18mm-Phenolic-Coated-Buffalo-Board-Hexagon-Grip-Pattern-Black-Anti-Slip-Board-Best-Seller-p403486938

Although the 1st photograph shows a good quality board, the 3rd picture seems to show a far inferior product without as many layers.....

So check what they have before committing.

[Barneyp]

On 14/10/2023 at 11:03, MtB said:

 

Is there such a thing? 

 

I always thought buffalo board was the generic/slang term for the stuff more technically known as phenolic plywood.

 

"Hexagrip" is however, I suspect, a brand name. Or it might be "Hexa Grip"!

 

 

 

 

Buffalo Board is a brand name for phenolic ply, in my experience it's good quality.

On 13/10/2023 at 13:24, Simon (Hawksmoor) said:

........

I am looking for a recommendation for a reliable source of the real thing not a cheap imitation.

How much should I be paying for this?

Stafford / Stoke-on-Trent  area

Ply Direct do supply genuine Buffalo board, but with delivery to Stafford it won't be cheap.

Maybe ask those offering lower prices if they have proof it is genuine?

[MtB]

8 minutes ago, Barneyp said:

Buffalo Board is a brand name for phenolic ply, in my experience it's good quality.

 

Ok thanks!

 

Curious there doesn't seem to be a website for it, after a somewhat casual and lazy google. 

 

 

[magnetman]

It is an interesting brand name. 

 

One wonders if it has something to do with actual buffaloes or is it the imagery one gets of a massive herd of heavy animals charging across a plain in New Mexico or whatever. 

 

They must put a lot of wear on the substrates. 

 

I suppose Horseboard would not sound quite as effective. What about Elephantboard ?

 

 

 

 

I want some Woolymammothboard for my stern deck. That'll sort it and its well insulated. 

[MtB]

8 minutes ago, magnetman said:

It is an interesting brand name. 

 

 

It's an appalling brand name given pretty much any ol' phenolic board gets sold as it. 

 

You'd think they'd be a bit more protective of their brand name. When I was in the bathroom business anyone describing their generic whirlpool bath as a "Jacuzzi" got jumped on hard by a team of specialist lawyers, even if (especially if!) they were just a no-mark builder or something, if the real Jacuzzi manufacturer got to hear of it. And they DID get to hear of it as us genuine Jacuzzi retailers would happily dob them in to protect our own expensive agencies. 

 

 

[Peanut]

A US patent search shows it as having been abandoned.

 

https://www.trademarkelite.com/trademark/trademark-detail/79202247/BUFFALO-BOARD

[David Mack]

10 hours ago, Peanut said:

A US patent search shows it as having been abandoned.

 

https://www.trademarkelite.com/trademark/trademark-detail/79202247/BUFFALO-BOARD

But that Buffalo Board relates to "Temporary protective flooring, not of metal, in the form of rolls or sheets for covering existing floors, stairs and walls , Temporary protective floor coverings ." So not the same stuff as we are talking about.