Working with MDF

[shane harper]

Hi all! First post, looking for some advice.

Im a basic DIYer trying to extend my CV and currently remodelling the dining room and building a cupboard. Looking to use MDF (sheet material easier as I don't have the tools to glue other wood together for panels.

I am wondering if anyone had any tips on making a cabinet and draws out of MDF. How to treat / paint, etc.

Thanks

Shane

 

[SammyInnit]

Simply put, you won't enjoy it. I can't stand the stuff. There's very few projects I've made out of MDF and those were simply because of the budget.

Once you've made whatever it is you're making you should make sure the MDF is sealed to stop moisture ingress. If it gets wet or damp it swells and eventually breaks up, not to mention stains and looks horrid.

You can get 'MDF sealer' but in the past I've got a trade tin of no nonsense white primer from screwfix. Few coats and sand any filler down and I've used decent acrylic paint to finish. Could just as easily use gloss and gloss primer.

I'd also use pin nails/finishing nail gun and a good quality glue like green evostick or titebond 2. It can be screwed together with pilot holes but there's a very strong chance it will split and break.

Always use dust extraction and a PPP3 respirator when cutting and sanding this stuff. It's horrid and you really don't want to get that crap on your lungs.

In the long run you would benefit from spending money on a good biscuit jointer or if you can afford it a domino jointer and a set of bessey clamps for panel work.

 

[foxhole]

When piloting for screws keep at least 80mm away from the ends to prevent splitting.
Joints can be strengthened or made using concealed plastic blocks , useful where narrow boards are fixed and you don't have room to leave an 80mm gap.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Whit...2|pkw||pmt||&gclid=CP-P9_m21c4CFcEV0wodGgkBkQ
http://www.screwfix.com/p/white-ass...tracking url&gclid=CJiMx4O31c4CFcsy0wod11wGYg