Valchromat, for those that have yet to come across it, is coloured MDF. (you
can see some of it here -
http://www.avonplywood.co.uk/noframes/valchromat%20info.htm )
Anyway, I am under pressure to actually do something with the tools I keep
buying and going into the garage to play with. The current heat is for me to
kit out a small bedroom with purpose made furniture to best use the limited
space available. This I feel I can do. However I want it fairly ding proof
and also do not want to spend forever on the finish. So I thought I would
maybe use this stuff.
As it's not exactly cheap and the furniture will almost surely get retired
after a while I thought I would use pocket-holes to hold the whole lot
together, without glue, so I can reclaim it later for some other mad
venture.
I got some samples of this stuff and I have to say that it does not feel
like MDF. It sort of has a ceramic feel to it. It machines well, or so it
seems from the larger (already machined) sample they sent me. But it's nice
stuff and I am sorely tempted but before I buy it I thought I would pick
your collective brains.
1. Is it suitable for the job.
2. Is it suitable for pocket-hole construction, without glue.
3. What's the best, and easiest, way of finishing it.
4. What, if any, problems should I be aware of.
Thanks
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Have you seen this site? It may tell you more about the product.
> http://www.valchromat.pt/
>
--------------
I've tried that site but I get no further than the first page which sports
nothing other than their logo. Anyway, I've noted the site for future
reference as they may just be temporarily dowm for maintenance upgrades or
whatever. Thanks.
http://www.valchromat.pt/cgi-bin/home.asp?lingua=2
(it has a javascript thing that is supposed to jump to the next page,
but it doesn't work -- view the page source to see it)
gandalf wrote:
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> I've tried that site but I get no further than the first page which sports
> nothing other than their logo. Anyway, I've noted the site for future
> reference as they may just be temporarily dowm for maintenance upgrades or
> whatever. Thanks.
On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 20:42:27 +0100, "gandalf"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Valchromat, for those that have yet to come across it, is coloured MDF. (you
>can see some of it here -
>http://www.avonplywood.co.uk/noframes/valchromat%20info.htm )
They're just up the road from me. I've used some Valchromat, but not a
huge quantity,
>1. Is it suitable for the job.
Could be. Price would be the main issue.
>2. Is it suitable for pocket-hole construction, without glue.
Yes, subject to the usual provisos of screwing into edge-grain MDF.
Personally I don't, I use biscuits. Much would depend on how much
you're going to abuse it.
>3. What's the best, and easiest, way of finishing it.
You don't. If you're going to do any sort of finishing, then stick
with plain old cheap MDF. Most I do with Valchromat is to wax it
(mainly the edges need it, after routing).
>4. What, if any, problems should I be aware of.
Not much. It's basically MDF, but with improvements. I can't think of
any way in which it's less capable, bar the price. The extra resin
improves the hardness as well, especially the edges. Still not sure
I'd trust it to hold screws into an edge though.
--
Smert' spamionam