What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
If have a pair of Freud thin-kerf 10" blades, a 50 tooth combo in my T/S
and a 60 tooth in my miter saw.
Would either of these make clean cuts in the MDF?
It seems like a messy/dusty material to cut, is this true?
Also, should the edges be treated after cutting? The finished project,
MDF included, will be painted
Thankx once again,
Ron
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 01:42:20 GMT, "Ron" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
I use my lowest quality carbide blade. MDF beats on blades, so what
every you use, it will soon become your lowest quality blade. <G>
>It seems like a messy/dusty material to cut, is this true?
Even with dust collection, I wear a dust mask. With the DC running, I
still end up with a pile of dust in my pockets and at my feet, under
the TS.
My favorite place to cut or rout MDF is OUTSIDE!
>Also, should the edges be treated after cutting? The finished project,
>MDF included, will be painted
I prime the whole part with Zinsser BIN, a white pigmented, shellac
based primer, sprayed on. No spray gear or it's a smaller project?
BIN comes in spray cans. This stuff drys very fast, is great to sand,
and fills the edges well.
Any cut or routed edge gets lightly sanded, sprayed, sanded again,
etc... until the texture matches the face. Brushing the first coat of
two on the cut edges will often seal them faster.
Barry
AMEN!
I cut 30-40 sheets a month in my basement on a modified
contractor saw... LOVE my dust collector! :-) I also open a
window at the far end of the basement and place two 20" box
fans in the windows by the saw to suck the airborn dust out.
Works great, but gets a bit chilly in the winter (Alberta
Canada). ;-)
Dave.
Bob S. wrote:
> I would add to Doug's comments, to wear a good dust mask and have a dust
> collector / air cleaner going full blast. That MDF dust is like baby powder
> and will be everywhere if you don't have a decent dust collection method.
>
> Bob S.
>
>
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 01:42:20 +0000, Ron wrote:
> What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
>
> If have a pair of Freud thin-kerf 10" blades, a 50 tooth combo in my T/S
> and a 60 tooth in my miter saw.
> Would either of these make clean cuts in the MDF?
>
> It seems like a messy/dusty material to cut, is this true?
>
> Also, should the edges be treated after cutting? The finished project,
> MDF included, will be painted
Either blade should cut it just fine. I try to make any butt/rabbet
joints proud and flush with a piloted straight router bit after glue up
and assembly. You can then do some router roundover on the corners if
desired. Carpenters glue thinned with water can be brushed on the
machined edges as a sealer and lightly sanded after dry. Paints great.
As always (and taught by one of our departed Hall of Famers, Paully
Rad), practice on scrap or you will practice on your project.
-Doug
Ron wrote:
> What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
>
> If have a pair of Freud thin-kerf 10" blades, a 50 tooth combo in my T/S
> and a 60 tooth in my miter saw.
> Would either of these make clean cuts in the MDF?
>
> It seems like a messy/dusty material to cut, is this true?
>
> Also, should the edges be treated after cutting? The finished project,
> MDF included, will be painted
>
> Thankx once again,
> Ron
>
>
>
They will both make clean cuts. You can reduce the amount of
dust by feeding at aggressive rates. Make you saw motor work
and you will have much less dust in the air and more chips
on the floor. The faster feed rates are easier on the blade
too, each time a blade tooth goes through the MDF it gets
abraded a bit by the stuff, at fast feed rates, each tooth
does less total work by the time the cut is done.
Rico
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You have a jointer? Joint the edges after cutting.
Brian.
"Ron" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<0wftb.201979$Fm2.191946@attbi_s04>...
> What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
>
> If have a pair of Freud thin-kerf 10" blades, a 50 tooth combo in my T/S
> and a 60 tooth in my miter saw.
> Would either of these make clean cuts in the MDF?
>
> It seems like a messy/dusty material to cut, is this true?
>
> Also, should the edges be treated after cutting? The finished project,
> MDF included, will be painted
>
> Thankx once again,
> Ron
On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 18:08:29 -0800, David DeCristoforo
<[email protected]> wrote:
>>What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
>>If have a pair of Freud thin-kerf 10" blades, a 50 tooth combo in my T/S
>>and a 60 tooth in my miter saw.
>>Would either of these make clean cuts in the MDF?
>Not really. You need at least an 80T ATB to get "decent cuts" in MDF
I've had great results with a Freud 40T ATB combo that's too dull to
properly cut hardwoods.
He should try what he has before purchasing a new blade.
Barry
>What is the best method for cutting 1/2" and 3/4" MDF?
>If have a pair of Freud thin-kerf 10" blades, a 50 tooth combo in my T/S
>and a 60 tooth in my miter saw.
>Would either of these make clean cuts in the MDF?
Not really. You need at least an 80T ATB to get "decent cuts" in MDF
>
>It seems like a messy/dusty material to cut, is this true?
Yes and, for the most part, toxic as well.
>
>Also, should the edges be treated after cutting?
Why bother? It's all just sawdust...Actually tho, you might want to
use some filler on the edges since the MDF is not as dense in the
center and this will show up on the edges. Just slime it and sand
smooth when dry.
>MDF included, will be painted
What else?
DD
"It's easy when you know how..."
Johnny Shines