Cutting Board on Cooler?

[PeteyHD]

I am thinking about putting a permanent cutting board on the top of one of my igloo coolers. I know some of the more expensive coolers come with these as options, but not looking to spend that kind of money on a cooler.

Does anyone have any advice on how to get the board adhered without having to use any screws? This cooler will be used in both hot and cold temps.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I think some 3M marine 5200 would do the job https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Marine-Adhesive-Sealant-5200/?N=5002385+3293241623&rt=rud

[mike1010]

Most cutting boards are made of polyethylene. I don't know of any adhesives that stick well to poly. Is that 3M stuff the exception?

[ScowardNJ]

Liquid Nails?

[PeteyHD]

Most cutting boards are made of polyethylene. I don't know of any adhesives that stick well to poly. Is that 3M stuff the exception?

Yea the ones I am looking at are HDPE.

[PeteyHD]

Here's an idea that sounds like it would work but also seems like a pain in the Donkey!

https://www.hunker.com/12561365/how-to-glue-hdpe

[Duffman]

If this is going to be a permanent installation then why not use screws?

I drilled four countersunk holes and used stainless screws just long enough to get thru top of cooler lid but not all the way thru (obviously!).

Did this probably 15 years ago and it’s still going strong.

[Charlie B]

If you don't want to use screws. Maybe a wooden cutting board glued down would be your best bet...Charlie

[mike1010]

I would use #8 stainless machine screws with fender washers for strength, so tipping the cooler over wouldn't ruin things. Loss of thermal efficiency would be negligible. I would also use PVC spacers to raise the cutting board off the cooler by a half inch or so, giving a place to stash a bait knife.

[PeteyHD]

If this is going to be a permanent installation then why not use screws?

I drilled four countersunk holes and used stainless screws just long enough to get thru top of cooler lid but not all the way thru (obviously!).

Did this probably 15 years ago and it’s still going strong.

Maybe I will just use screws. The whole adhesive thing seems like a pain in the butt.

[PeteyHD]

I would use #8 stainless machine screws with fender washers for strength, so tipping the cooler over wouldn't ruin things. Loss of thermal efficiency would be negligible. I would also use PVC spacers to raise the cutting board off the cooler by a half inch or so, giving a place to stash a bait knife.

I think I will go with your idea. Are PVC spacers available in hardware stores or are they only found in marine supply?

Thanks.

[Pennsy Guy]

I would use #8 stainless machine screws with fender washers for strength, so tipping the cooler over wouldn't ruin things. Loss of thermal efficiency would be negligible. I would also use PVC spacers to raise the cutting board off the cooler by a half inch or so, giving a place to stash a bait knife.

Not only that but you can wash out blood, gleet & whatever else that will collect under the board after a day cutting bait and then cleaning the catch...
Think about a sealant between cutting board, spacer & cooler lid to keep the gleet from getting into the lid insulation...also any liquid getting in there won't evaporate.

[PeteyHD]

Not only that but you can wash out blood, gleet & whatever else that will collect under the board after a day cutting bait and then cleaning the catch...
Think about a sealant between cutting board, spacer & cooler lid to keep the gleet from getting into the lid insulation...also any liquid getting in there won't evaporate.

Yea I think I'll do that and put some marine sealant on the screws before sending them through the lid.

[the1jonc]

Those flexible dollar store cutting boards may work. You can use double sided tape and change as needed.


Or maybe build in such a way that you can lock a solid board in place by using a round plug or block that fits into the cupholders (if you have) on the top of the cooler.

[Pauls1976]

I bought a board because I was lazy for a guy who used to be at the shows. I think it was Bob’s Bait Boards. He custom made ours. Has a ruler on it, knife holder and sharpener holder on it and was fastened by Velcro. Great product and it allowed us to clean underneath it easily.

[courbeco]

3M Scotchweld DP8005 will bond the HDPE, but it is expensive. Available through Graingers.

[mike1010]

That's handy to know. In case Grainger's falls through for one reason or another, it turns out that Amazon has it, too. And, yeah, it is expensive.

[dfish28]

Why not use buttons and snaps with a strap from one to the other, yes 4 screws have to go through each piece... but most coolers of a larger size already have the buttons in for a cushion, check out Blacktips cutting boards...