During Shop Talk Live 296, it was mentioned that MDF can be used for case work. I have only used MDF for raised panels on painted projects and for jigs in the shop. In the past I had found that it did not hold fasteners well and glue joints were a problem.
I have an upcoming project that is planned with a Birch plywood carcass and poplar face frame and doors. I would love to save a few bucks and use MDF.
How have others dealt with fasteners and glue joints in MDF?
Thanks for the help!
Replies
I had the same problems. I used it in a couple of painted built-ins, as it could fasten to walls, rather than just itself. But I won't even use it for jigs anymore. I just hate working with it, and especially the dust. For me, any money savings isn't worth it.
I don't know what relative prices are these days, but check out MDO if it's a painted thing you're doing.
I only use plywood for cabinets.
I use MDF a lot.
It's not my favourite, but it's great for paint grade cabinets provided you allow for its properties.
MDF is heavier than plywood, so requires more robust mountings.
MDF is less elastic and more prone to plastic deformation if loaded so it will sometimes need to have reinforcement for longer pieces under heavier load.
MDF is prone to delaminate and glue joints tend to be weaker so you need to design to prevent racking forces - a glued back is pretty much essential and rabbets need to be designed carefully to take this into account - I usually use a 50% depth rabbet and try to avoid designs where traction is necessarily applied on a glue joint. The glued back helps a lot.
MDF does not take screws well so you need to use well glued rabbet and dado joints.
MDF edges are prone to denting and high wear items should have a wood face frame.
Provided you take these basic characteristics into account, MDF is dent-resistant, cheap, super flat, reliably dimensioned, totally consistent and smooth. Sure the dust is annoying, but plywood dust is also annoying.
Thanks for the input!
I have a customer with a HUGE fancy house and all cabinets are made from MDF including the face-frames. I constantly get a call that hinges are falling off and doors won't close. I always find screws pulled out and the MDF is splitting from the screw. The fix is to force glue into the split and clamp until dry. Next I drill a 1/4 inch hole and glue and insert a dowel and then screw the hinge into that. 50 or so down and a thousand to go! MDF is junk for cabinets.