Best Material

[sam8364]

I have built a little cabinet to fix over the fuse box etc. All vey nice but now it comes to make the doors.

They are each about 400mm x 500mm. I was planning to use MDF but am concerned about it splitting when I try to screw hinges in.

What do people think would be the best approach?

 

[snoged]

PIANO HINGE ?

 

[sam8364]

Possibly - I suppose it distributes weight better.

But I assume they still have to be screwed in - so not sure how it solves my problem

 

[masona]

 

[sam8364]

Possible, and a jolly good idea..........

and you know there must be a but...............

I am not sure there will be sufficient space behind the door to accomodate this hinge - the cupboard is to cover the fuse box and meter which is above the front door - I have tried to make it as shallow as possible so that it does not stick our into the room too far.

I will have a measure up.....

In the meantime, any other ideas?

 

[masona]

 

[sam8364]

A veyr impressive selection. However, all but one require you to screw into the edge of the MDF - my concern is that anything screwed into the edge will cause it to split (however, my experience with MDF is limited).

What is the one on the bottom right? Is this a hinge? Looks like a magnetic catch?

 

[big-all]

finishing up this exact job today on 18mm mdf

assuming your doors are flush mounted and a minimum of 15mm thick

use these http://www.toolstation.com/search.html?searchstr=30800

12mm use these http://www.toolstation.com/search.html?searchstr=flush+hinges

drill a 1.5mm pilot hole 20mm deep in the edge and use 3mm by 20mm screw [or no4 by3/4]

all you see is the knuckle of the hinge

 

[JohnD]

the storm hinge (last but one) screws onto the (inside) face of the door.

If you are worried about splitting you could drill through and use small nuts and bolts.

If you are screwing ito the edge of the door, drill a good pilot hole to take the shank of the screw, so only the thread cuts in. "Chipboard Screws" are not tapered. The weight of the door will be at 90 degrees to the screw so it will not try to pull out.

Edited: Bah, too slow

 

[sam8364]

Cheers Big-all - so you do not find any problem screwing into the edge of mdf as long as you use a non-tapering screw and you drill a pilot hole?

JohnD

[/quote]the storm hinge (last but one) screws onto the (inside) face of the door.

From the picture it does show a screw hole on the edge as well - but I guess you could just not use this one

 

[big-all]

Cheers Big-all - so you do not find any problem screwing into the edge of mdf as long as you use a non-tapering screw and you drill a pilot hole?

absolutely none just use an offcut to try your pilot holes and screws on as screws and drills can vary

you may have slight delamination if your pilot hole is to small and near the end but in this case doesnt apply
if you do accidently get delamination fill with glue clamp either side and drive the screw fully home problem solved

 

[big-all]

just forgot to mention if you use a "powerd " screwdriver
tighten the last 2 turns by hand to avoid "stripping " the thread

after a few dozen youll get the feel of how tight to go with a powered screwdriver but in the meantime on the 10% stripped you,ve either had to glue the stripped hole or drill another 20mm deeper and use 40mm screw