Replies

1. 
   RW | Sep 23, 2003 04:54am | #1

   KD hardware I can't get locally, but a lot of the catalog stores have them. I'd just guess without knowing that Rocklers would have. As to practicality, I think I'd ask first what you're making with it, but generally speaking, knock down is used most frequently in melamine sheet products. Or another good example, everyone at some point bought a Bush or Sauder product - a file cabinet, an entertainment center, you know, college furniture. You turn those little clips that engage a pin in the other piece. That's basically what KD is all about.

   Other things that might work in MDF, depending on what you do and how - biscuits can help align things, but don't rely on them for a joint that needs strength. If you're doing an L shaped closet and just want the shelves level where they meet, biscuits can do that. There are screws that are geared more for MDF with a wide head and aggressive threads, but I don't think what you've been told is necessarily inaccurate. The holding power is reduced since the core of MDF is less dense than the skin. They do better in particle board.

   Knowing what you're going to do with it might help steer around some of the problems with joining the stuff.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

1. 
   dovetail | Sep 23, 2003 05:27pm | #4

   I want to make the ultimate router table found on page 55 of the Fine Woodworking "Tools and Shops" first annual issue, winter 2001/2002.  I know it will be a real challenge for me . I read somewhere that the fine dust from the cuting of the MDF causes Cancer.  So......the first purchase will have to be some kind of a mask.   

    I am really having a lot of fun with my new found passtime of ww.  This form is a great place to find out informatin.   I want to tell you all that I just finished building a rack for my lumber.  It is certainally nice and sturdy.  I didn't  take into consideration the fact that  my basement had a joist running the length of the house.  Needless to say, it is a tad lower than the specs(after meeti8ng up with the circular saw) .   I also learned that "I" can't drive any screws unless I clamp first.   Also, what do you use to cut MDF?     Thanks for the info. everyone has given me.

   Edited 9/23/2003 10:30:56 AM ET by dove tail

1. 
   RW | Sep 24, 2003 01:36am | #5

   Why not ply? Stronger, stable, just not as smooth. It will hold up better. You'd be surprised how much racking you can put on a router table when you start pushing large boards through panel raisers, especially when you have clamps in place. "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

1. 
   Adrian | Sep 24, 2003 09:12pm | #6

   Whoever is supplying pro cabinetmakers in your area will have K-D or KD hardware; also called RTA (ready to assemble) hardware. I can get a pretty good selection at several chain hardware places also, but they may be hidden away in little storage drawers that you have to locate. Lee Valley has them by mailorder too. Confirmats are great too.

   As far as screws for MDF or particleboard...use particleboard screws, aka lo-root, hi-lo , production screw etc. Worlds of difference between one of these and a standard (obsolete for 99.9% of things) wood screw.

   MDF owrks great for shop furniture; just have to know how to use it.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

2. 
   ian | Sep 23, 2003 11:37am | #2

   I've had success with coarse threaded 10 guage screws - but only when I pre-drill all the holes.  For pre-drilling, a standard drill bit seems to work better than a taper point bit.

   Ian

3. 
   Timagain | Sep 23, 2003 03:42pm | #3

   There are so many knockdown type fittings - all of which have there own way of being put together and without the right jigs can be awkward to use.  A fixing that you can use is something called a Confirmat screw which has a taper and a very sharp, deep thread.  The advantages are that you can insert and remove the screws many times without loss of holding power (so in effect they become kd fixings).  The main disadvantage is that you will probably need to buy a special drill bit c £20 in the UK ie $35 but maybe cheaper in the US.  You can use two drill bits instead - one for the pilot hole and one for the clearance hole.  I use them all the time and find them easy to use and very strong.

4. 
   luvbeads2 | Sep 25, 2003 03:53pm | #7

   MDF will accept cap screws and steel x-dowels, not standard hardware items.

   Will they hold up? Connection in photo is 15 years old ; jig has stood all sorts of stress.

5. 
   JohnWW | Sep 25, 2003 06:16pm | #8

   Dove Tail,

   There was a discussion a few months back about this, I posted a technique for using ordinary sheet rock screws in MDF that works well for me. 

   Go to the advanced search function at the top left of this page and at the bottom of advanced search you'll find a search box for messages by number.  The string started with number 13625.1.

   John W.