9
votes
Plywood or MDF for workbench?
One factor to consider: If there is any risk that the work area becomes damp, I recommend avoiding MDF (unless it is thoroughly sealed) -- it swells and warps like crazy. I have recently suffered this ...
- 992
6
votes
Durable top coat for MDF worktop / workbench
Honestly, the best option for a bench that expects hard use is a sheet of 1/8" "tempered hardboard" - I don't know if that's one of those places where we are separated by a common ...
- 137k
5
votes
Would pine or MDF baseboard better handle humidity fluctuation?
MDF may be marginally more stable, but in my extensive experience it's far too fragile to be used for house trim. I wouldn't install it if it was free. It dents and scratches like nothing.
If you're ...
- 106k
5
votes
Accepted
5
votes
Accepted
How can I hide this imperfection in wood joint?
I would sand the horizontal trim at the top down until it meets the diagonal trim. You'll want to extend the sanding horizontally to make a smooth transition from "full thickness" at the ...
- 30.3k
5
votes
Plywood or MDF for workbench?
Both! I built a workbench over some cabinets in my shop and the bottom layer was 3/4" plywood and the top layer was 3/4 MDF. Because I wanted this particular workbench to be good looking, I ...
- 15.1k
4
votes
Accepted
Fill groove in MDF door
Depends on size. For significant blems, I'd try wood putty, handling it as if it were joint compound. If that didn't work, I might just give up and actually use joint compound...
However, remember ...
- 16k
4
votes
Choosing a material to cover wood and paint with emulsion
Depending on how fussy you are, the best thing to look like drywall is drywall. It may also be the least expensive thing that looks like drywall.
I have built a bookcase (attached to the floor and ...
- 137k
4
votes
Accepted
How can I fill and flatten unneeded hinge mortices for painting?
If your doorframes are MDF any patching is going to be visible to some degree. I would try filling it (with slight overfill) with wood putty and sanding it as smooth as you can using finer grit (220) ...
- 7,589
4
votes
Is 1/2 inch hardboard more durable than mdf for a table top?
ANYTHING is better than MDF for your project as it is a terrible material for furniture, especially custom made furniture. Also you can't use a router on MDF - well you can but it will not turn out ...
- 46.2k
3
votes
Accepted
Is MDF a reliable product for interior trimwork?
I would say that MDF is the poor man's luxury product. It cannot handle any moisture but it is smooth, hard, durable and stable (doesn't expand or contract with seasonal change. It takes paint nicely ...
- 6,725
3
votes
Is MDF a reliable product for interior trimwork?
Mdf is a fair product for the price.
I always advise clients to choose real wood if the budget allows. As to what you have heard; Mdf in a dry interior environment will not warp like wood. It should ...
- 31
3
votes
Choosing a material to cover wood and paint with emulsion
Not quite the idea you were looking for but one idea might be to use another bookcase so that you have two of them back to back. More storage that way.
Now onto your immediate question. I would ...
- 61.7k
3
votes
Do solid core doors reduce sound more than hollow-core doors?
From my experience solid core doors will block sound much better than hollow core. Solid core is also a heavier door which can be a plus although sometimes makes it a little more difficult to install.
...
- 7,589
3
votes
How can I fill and flatten unneeded hinge mortices for painting?
For the best match, cut a thin piece of the same MDF material to fit, and glue it into place with wood glue. MDF is very easy to work with so this would be relatively easy. If the fit is good enough, ...
- 5,581
3
votes
How to build long, chunky bed supports
There is not a convincing reason this has to be any sort of box structure. In fact for a bed support like that a single USA type of 2x8 (actual 1.5"by 7.5" 38mm by 190mm) on edge on each side of the ...
- 61.7k
3
votes
Accepted
Durable top coat for MDF worktop / workbench
You'll get similar life from polyurethane and oil paint. It might be wise to use a satin or matte sheen to reduce the appearance of wear, which is the real issue. You can always recoat if actual wear-...
- 106k
3
votes
Is there a reasonable substitute for nail guns when installing baseboards?
You could get something called a trim screw. They also sell them in white if you wish to match the color and not cover the hole with putty.
It sounds like you don't feel comfortable with trim nails ...
- 11k
3
votes
Joining MDF shelf to extend length of spare pieces
You'd need to add substantial rigidity and strength via dowels or other means of connection. It's not a material that tolerates bending stress well. The effort to do it properly probably isn't worth ...
- 106k
3
votes
Cost-effective DIY countertop/worktop
Go visit Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or local equivalent.
Buy a wood-faced solid core door (you can also buy one somewhere else brand new, but if you can get a used one, far less expense.) Sometimes ...
- 137k
2
votes
Accepted
Best way to attach MDF Casing to
Nail it. You will forever regret a decision to glue the casing if it ever comes to a need to do repairs or modifications.
- 61.7k
2
votes
Industrial strength velcro peeling off MDF
Super glue might work, although my first thought was to finish the mdf with polyurethane first. This will seal the mdf and allow the adhesive to remain sticky for a long time. Rubbing superglue on ...
- 1,153
2
votes
MDF (particle board) edge sealing for smooth painted finish
I've always had very good results when using polyurethane finish on MDF - particularly on edges, where it is absorbed deeply. I have used it to harden the edges and make them more robust. I'd suggest ...
- 1,153
2
votes
MDF (particle board) edge sealing for smooth painted finish
You could try brushing the edges with glue. I use Weldbond glue for similar purposes. You can dilute it, maybe a thin coat first to penetrate and seal, followed by a thicker coat to finish it. It's ...
- 24.3k
2
votes
Staggered block matrix
Larger issue with foam products is that it's a huge fire hazard.
Likely hollow wooden (thin plywood and wooden batten) construction. Masonite® (tempered hardboard) would be another suitable sheet ...
- 137k
2
votes
Choosing a material to cover wood and paint with emulsion
I have used heavy white paper and glued this to wood in the past, then it can be textured or painted once the glue dries. (Like a linen white wallpaper). This covers wood grain quite well and it can ...
- 98.3k
2
votes
Lamination to achieve smooth surface over plywood
Lamination is a valid term to use in your application. Countertops are often laminated with Formica™ but I would not consider it to be a product to be rolled on in a manner similar to wallpaper.
I ...
- 9,391
2
votes
Accepted
Nail Gun Recommendations - dado rail into brick/mortar
Most nail guns aren't designed for brick, you'll be putting your self in risk of self harm either from jams or shrapnel when the brick gives way.
Getting a slightly smaller masonry drill bit and ...
- 151
2
votes
Load bearing capacity of Spur Steel-lok shelf standards with MDF shelves
Pressed wood shelves should never span more than 32". Beyond that even their own weight will result in unsightly sag.
As for maximum load, you'll probably be unhappy with sag long before they ...
- 106k
2
votes
Accepted
What does a Mitre Saw offer that a Table Saw does not?
You absolutely can make any mitre cut with a table saw provided you have the correct jigs and guides. But, it's a LOT simpler and quicker to use a mitre saw to make mitre cuts. For "casual" work or ...
- 20.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible