3 replies to this topic

[Ameise]

I'm trying to make a formicarium substrate using sawdust (oak, black walnut, maple). However, I want to be able to turn it into something roughly similar to MDF.

My understanding is that wood glues are generally out, as they are [poly]urethane-based, and thus generally toxic to small invertebrates. I've tried mixing sawdust with plaster, but that just turned into a weird mess. I'm wondering if anyone else has any ideas about what to do?

[drtrmiller]

It will compress a great deal.

[Ameise]

It will compress a great deal.

I'm wary of the strength of compressed sawdust, particularly in vertical formicaria. I imagine it would have similar issues to dirt in regards to collapse. I'm wondering if there are any glues/adhesives that would work that would be safe; as said, most wood glues that I can find are [poly]urethane - I haven't found any that aren't. Cyanoacrylate could work, but I'd need a massive amount... maybe mixing with resin could work as well, though it may become too hard at that point. Plaster didn't work as the sawdust retained too much water, and seemed to prevent the plaster from curing correctly.

[Lukas2021]

I would try the compressed wood idea, just compress it into a good shape and not crumble it.

I found this forum topic which may be helpful

http://familywoodwor...wn-pressed-logs

Let me know how it goes!