Replies

1. 
   Troy | Jan 16, 2006 07:21am | #1

   I have a Jet contractors saw and I have cut 3/4 mdf with both a 40 tooth dewalt general purpose blade and a frued 60 tooth "finecutter" blade and both have worked well. MDF is pretty easy to cut with out making a mess of the cut unlike something like Melemine or plywood.

   Troy

1. 
   Grits | Jan 16, 2006 07:29am | #2

   Troy

   I had it down to either a 40T or 60T general purpose blade.  I was leaning toward the 40T to eliminate heat buildup.

   How hard is MDF on a blade?

   Grits

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 16, 2006 08:01am | #3

   MDF is pretty abrasive, so it will wear any blade faster than a lot of solid woods. If the blade is flat, true, sharp and the saw is aligned correctly, it'll do fine. Even if you're making whole walls of cabinets for your shop, the blade will be fine. I have used 40T Oldham blades (about $19) in a couple of 12V install shops for making subwoofer boxes and we cut up a ton of MDF. No problems at all. I have the same blade at home for general cutting and it needs sharpening, but still cuts cleanly, if not as easily as before. Particle board is somewhat different. The guy who does my sharpening calls that "the hot dog of the lumber industry" because it contains whatever is around, probably including what is swept from the floor. Melamine is fairly tough and if the carbide on the teeth is particularly hard, it can chip.If you're cutting a lot of MDF, either wear a dust mask or use a dust collector. The dust is really fine and gets into everything, especially where it isn't wanted (like your lungs and sinuses)."I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

   Edited 1/16/2006 12:03 am by highfigh

1. 
   Grits | Jan 16, 2006 08:34am | #4

   Thanks everyone for you help.  I am going to use my forty tooth general purpose blade.  It is sharp and I feel it will work fine.  I am going to build a wall of cabinets, thirty two feet to be exact.

   Grits

2. 
   Knotscott | Jan 16, 2006 05:24pm | #5

   Considering that mdf is a bit tough on the teeth, I'd consider looking into a TCG tooth grind.  That particular grind stays sharp longer under duress.  The Freud LU82M010 60T is a good example of this grind that should be excellent for mdf.  $36 at amazon with frere s/h

   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000225UJ/qid=1137421355/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl60/104-5115402-4605533?n=507846&s=hi&v=glance

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/16/2006 12:33 pm ET by scotty

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 17, 2006 03:51am | #6

   "I'd consider looking into a TCG tooth grind."  Amen, especially if he's going to go through that much MDF!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)