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Walker
Walker
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I am thinking of building some MDF build-in bookcases, dado joints are clearly stronger but creates lots of mess from a router and takes more time.

As the book case will be painted, I can hide any screw heads, so that is not an issue.

I see 4 options:

  • Just screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado, screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado to side, screw to back.
  • I could also make “cheat” Dados by gluing 6mm MDF onto 15mm MDF on make the sides

Dado at the back means I need a thicker back that will make then harder to build due to the mass. However I don’t know if screw joints into the end grain of MDF are strong enough, I am thinking of using 18mm MDF for the sites and 30mm MDF for the shelfs.

I am thinking of using spax MDF screws as they don't need predrilling etc.

(I am not asking this on a woodworking site as I do not have great woodworking stills and care more about the result then the process.)

I am thinking of building some MDF build-in bookcases, dado joints are clearly stronger but creates lots of mess from a router and takes more time.

As the book case will be painted, I can hide any screw heads, so that is not an issue.

I see 4 options:

  • Just screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado, screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado to side, screw to back.
  • I could also make “cheat” Dados by gluing 6mm MDF onto 15mm MDF on make the sides

Dado at the back means I need a thicker back that will make then harder to build due to the mass. However I don’t know if screw joints into the end grain of MDF are strong enough, I am thinking of using 18mm MDF for the sites and 30mm MDF for the shelfs.

(I am not asking this on a woodworking site as I do not have great woodworking stills and care more about the result then the process.)

I am thinking of building some MDF build-in bookcases, dado joints are clearly stronger but creates lots of mess from a router and takes more time.

As the book case will be painted, I can hide any screw heads, so that is not an issue.

I see 4 options:

  • Just screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado, screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado to side, screw to back.
  • I could also make “cheat” Dados by gluing 6mm MDF onto 15mm MDF on make the sides

Dado at the back means I need a thicker back that will make then harder to build due to the mass. However I don’t know if screw joints into the end grain of MDF are strong enough, I am thinking of using 18mm MDF for the sites and 30mm MDF for the shelfs.

I am thinking of using spax MDF screws as they don't need predrilling etc.

(I am not asking this on a woodworking site as I do not have great woodworking stills and care more about the result then the process.)

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Source Link
Walker
Walker
  • 6.3k
  • 21
  • 65
  • 87

Dado (+glue) or just screws (+glue) for painted MDF bookcase

I am thinking of building some MDF build-in bookcases, dado joints are clearly stronger but creates lots of mess from a router and takes more time.

As the book case will be painted, I can hide any screw heads, so that is not an issue.

I see 4 options:

  • Just screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado, screw and glue the shelves to both the sides and back.
  • Dado to side, screw to back.
  • I could also make “cheat” Dados by gluing 6mm MDF onto 15mm MDF on make the sides

Dado at the back means I need a thicker back that will make then harder to build due to the mass. However I don’t know if screw joints into the end grain of MDF are strong enough, I am thinking of using 18mm MDF for the sites and 30mm MDF for the shelfs.

(I am not asking this on a woodworking site as I do not have great woodworking stills and care more about the result then the process.)