I want to build a "mini-bar" cabinet for a cocktail party my girlfriend is
planning to have in December. I've drawn up a design and I figure the
easiest way I'm going to be able to get it done by mid-December is to build
it out of MDF, but I don't have much experience with MDF. I used it in a
poker table I built, but it was covered in padding and vinyl so the MDF
itself didn't need to look good. :-) I'm also worried that if I use 3/4" it
might end up being too heavy. So, I have a few questions. :-)
1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the weight?
Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the strength?
2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the best
type of glue to use?
3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be edge
banded with hardwood?
4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with MDF?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Josh
"Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I want to build a "mini-bar" cabinet for a cocktail party my girlfriend is
>planning to have in December. I've drawn up a design and I figure the
>easiest way I'm going to be able to get it done by mid-December is to build
>it out of MDF, but I don't have much experience with MDF. I used it in a
>poker table I built, but it was covered in padding and vinyl so the MDF
>itself didn't need to look good. :-) I'm also worried that if I use 3/4"
>it might end up being too heavy. So, I have a few questions. :-)
>
> 1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the
> weight? Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the
> strength?
MDF is about the heaviest thing possible compared to other materials. So it
will be heavier. It is certainly strong enough when built properly.
>
> 2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the best
> type of glue to use?
Use biscuits. Dowels tend to cause the MDF to split. Regular 'ol titebond
2 works well
>
> 3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be edge
> banded with hardwood?
If painted, no banding necessary.
>
> 4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with
> MDF?
I like to use spray laquer myself. The stuff you buy at the hardware or
automotive store works well. I have also used spray enamel with success.
Primer is a must. About 4 coats and then wet sand it. Make sure to get
good coverage on all the exposed edges. They really suck the paint.
>
> Thanks in advance for the help!
Good luck and keep us posted.
SH
"Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I want to build a "mini-bar" cabinet for a cocktail party my girlfriend is
>planning to have in December. I've drawn up a design and I figure the
>easiest way I'm going to be able to get it done by mid-December is to build
>it out of MDF, but I don't have much experience with MDF. I used it in a
>poker table I built, but it was covered in padding and vinyl so the MDF
>itself didn't need to look good. :-) I'm also worried that if I use 3/4"
>it might end up being too heavy. So, I have a few questions. :-)
>
> 1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the
> weight? Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the
> strength?
>
I can't imagine that using MDF would make it weigh less.
> 2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the best
> type of glue to use?
>
> 3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be edge
> banded with hardwood?
>
> 4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with
> MDF?
>
> Thanks in advance for the help!
>
> Josh
>
On Sun, 7 Nov 2004 18:15:45 -0800, "Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com>
vaguely proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:
remove ns from my header address to reply via email
>I guess it wouldn't be any faster than ply, but I thought it would be a lot
>cheaper since I'm planning to paint it.
Any takers? I would put 1/4"-3/8" exterior ply up against 1/2 MDF for
"strength" any day. Maybe not as stiff, but stronger. Cost for
exterior faced ply? Probably not much more.
You are going to put a lot of work into this. What's $25? It will also
be lighter, which seems to concern you. Ply is about the lightest way
to build stuff.
The only real catch is that MDF can be routed and joined easily for
shelves etc. whereas with thinner ply you will need to have bracing
etc.
I say this as somebody who has fallen for the MDF trap many times, and
been oft disappointed.
For a start, it's a bar. It's going to get wet, maybe. MDF and water?
Bah! And paint may not stop it.
Be wary of interior "plies". Half of them are simply veneer
over.....MDF.
>
>"mgg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Why will mdf be faster than ply? I hate the stuff, heavy as hell, and the
>> worst dust your lungs will ever see.
>>
>> --Mike
>>
>> "Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>I want to build a "mini-bar" cabinet for a cocktail party my girlfriend is
>>>planning to have in December. I've drawn up a design and I figure the
>>>easiest way I'm going to be able to get it done by mid-December is to
>>>build it out of MDF, but I don't have much experience with MDF. I used it
>>>in a poker table I built, but it was covered in padding and vinyl so the
>>>MDF itself didn't need to look good. :-) I'm also worried that if I use
>>>3/4" it might end up being too heavy. So, I have a few questions. :-)
>>>
>>> 1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the
>>> weight? Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the
>>> strength?
>>>
>>> 2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the
>>> best type of glue to use?
>>>
>>> 3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be
>>> edge banded with hardwood?
>>>
>>> 4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with
>>> MDF?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for the help!
>>>
>>> Josh
>>>
>>
>>
>
*****************************************************
Dogs are better than people.
People are better than dogs for only one purpose. And
then it's only half of ofthe people. And _then_ most
of them are only ordinary anyway. And then they have a
headache.........
On Mon, 08 Nov 2004 23:03:51 GMT, "Mike Marlow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Can I ask why you're using such a thing for a fascia?
Because it's weatherproof and I hate UPVC
"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 08 Nov 2004 23:03:51 GMT, "Mike Marlow"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Can I ask why you're using such a thing for a fascia?
>
> Because it's weatherproof and I hate UPVC
Thanks - was just curious.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
I guess it wouldn't be any faster than ply, but I thought it would be a lot
cheaper since I'm planning to paint it.
"mgg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Why will mdf be faster than ply? I hate the stuff, heavy as hell, and the
> worst dust your lungs will ever see.
>
> --Mike
>
> "Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>I want to build a "mini-bar" cabinet for a cocktail party my girlfriend is
>>planning to have in December. I've drawn up a design and I figure the
>>easiest way I'm going to be able to get it done by mid-December is to
>>build it out of MDF, but I don't have much experience with MDF. I used it
>>in a poker table I built, but it was covered in padding and vinyl so the
>>MDF itself didn't need to look good. :-) I'm also worried that if I use
>>3/4" it might end up being too heavy. So, I have a few questions. :-)
>>
>> 1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the
>> weight? Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the
>> strength?
>>
>> 2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the
>> best type of glue to use?
>>
>> 3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be
>> edge banded with hardwood?
>>
>> 4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with
>> MDF?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for the help!
>>
>> Josh
>>
>
>
On Mon, 8 Nov 2004 09:08:27 -0800, "Slowhand" <I'm@work> wrote:
>MDF is about the heaviest thing possible compared to other materials.
I'm just fixing my roof fascia boards at the moment, with a
cement-based fibre panel. You thought MDF was heavy !
Mind you, this stuff can be tiled. Might make a nice base for mosaic.
--
Smert' spamionam
Why will mdf be faster than ply? I hate the stuff, heavy as hell, and the
worst dust your lungs will ever see.
--Mike
"Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I want to build a "mini-bar" cabinet for a cocktail party my girlfriend is
>planning to have in December. I've drawn up a design and I figure the
>easiest way I'm going to be able to get it done by mid-December is to build
>it out of MDF, but I don't have much experience with MDF. I used it in a
>poker table I built, but it was covered in padding and vinyl so the MDF
>itself didn't need to look good. :-) I'm also worried that if I use 3/4"
>it might end up being too heavy. So, I have a few questions. :-)
>
> 1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the
> weight? Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the
> strength?
>
> 2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the best
> type of glue to use?
>
> 3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be edge
> banded with hardwood?
>
> 4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with
> MDF?
>
> Thanks in advance for the help!
>
> Josh
>
"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 8 Nov 2004 09:08:27 -0800, "Slowhand" <I'm@work> wrote:
>
> >MDF is about the heaviest thing possible compared to other materials.
>
> I'm just fixing my roof fascia boards at the moment, with a
> cement-based fibre panel. You thought MDF was heavy !
>
> Mind you, this stuff can be tiled. Might make a nice base for mosaic.
>
> --
> Smert' spamionam
Can I ask why you're using such a thing for a fascia?
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Josh" <jwagoner@winisp_nospam.com> wrote in message
>
> 1) Could 1/2" MDF be used for a majority of the cabinet to lower the
weight?
> Would it be too weak? Could it be braced somehow to increase the
strength?
Yes. Maybe. Sure. Depends on the design.
>
> 2) What is the best way to join MDF? Dowels? Biscuits? What is the best
> type of glue to use?
I use biscuits and any good wood glue.
>
> 3) What is the best way to finish the edges of the MDF? Should it be edge
> banded with hardwood?
Not if you are going to paint it. .Edges can be routed if you want a shape
or roundover.
>
> 4) I plan to paint all the MDF. What type of paint should be used with
MDF?
I have little experience there. Prime it first though. I used spray paint,
but any should do.