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Alternative to M.D.F.

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Forum topic by Lee A. Jesberger posted 85 days ago 477 views 0 times favorited 29 replies Add to Favorites
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Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


85 days ago

Hi all;

I mentioned in a response that all the lumberjocks send a request to home depot to start carrying the alternative to M.D.F.

If you all think this is a good idea let me know.

Maybe we can test out our influence regarding our buying power.

I could prepare a request form to copy and paste, as well as track down who to send it to.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Dick Cain's profile

Dick Cain

4298 posts in 690 days


85 days ago

This sounds like a great idea, Lee.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

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Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


85 days ago

Hi Dick;

I’m curious to test this idea out. If we can get enough LJ’s to participate, I bet we can a lot of other materials and equipment we want also!

Should prove interesting!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Scott Bryan's profile (online now)

Scott Bryan

7808 posts in 213 days


85 days ago

Sounds promising to me. But don’t forget about Lowe’s as well.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


85 days ago

Hi Scott;

I was thinking about them also, I just assumed H.D. was a larger operation. Let’s get them both!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Roper's profile

Roper

199 posts in 104 days


85 days ago

that would make life alot easier.thanks lee.

-- Roper - master of sawdust-

View lance's profile

lance

129 posts in 379 days


85 days ago

Hi Lee,

You can count on me, but not to sound ignorant, what is the alternative you have in mind?

Just finished making three kitchen cabinets for our kitchen and have at least two more to make. I will start a new blog with pics, as soon as I can make time during this kitchen makeover. This is the one of the only emails I have taken time to read over the last few weeks.

Have a great day,

-- Bob Lance, DE

View Francisco Luna's profile

Francisco Luna

262 posts in 255 days


85 days ago

sounds a great idea to me. Thanks for take the initiative. MDF is nice, is very stable and the color is even, BUT is VERY VERY heavy and not so good with humidity.

View cpt_hammer's profile

cpt_hammer

71 posts in 203 days


85 days ago

I’d like Home Depot and Lowe’s to actually carry more MDF. The only thing I can usually find is the 3/4” MDF if they even have that. I’m also curious as to what alternatives to MDF is there?

And if it involves Bamboo, I’m out. Bamboo is almost as good as using corn stalks for wood in my opinion. the chemicals used in product of bamboo floors is more toxic in some cases than carpet PVCs that leak out. Fortunately some new companies are using a better alternative glues.

View Lakey's profile

Lakey

100 posts in 163 days


85 days ago

I’m in.

—Lakey

-- "No Board Left Behind"

View DannyBoy's profile

DannyBoy

200 posts in 256 days


85 days ago

I”m with lance… What is the alternative?

I’m in, whatever the case, though. MDF is what is making some homes unlivable… I refuse to use it in my shop.

~DB

-- Happy Ripping!!!

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

1851 posts in 165 days


85 days ago

Hi Lee

Sounds like a great idea. I just started working at Lowe’s. Perhapes a man on the inside would help there. What is your recommendation as to where a guy could get samples and info on the product. Do you have any contacts with the company?

God Blestom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View Bill's profile

Bill

2508 posts in 552 days


85 days ago

HD is bigger, but Lowe’s has a somewhat different coverage area and clientele. Both would be good places to get the new MDF from. While higher cost is a negative, the benefits might outweigh that. And, if there is a big demand for it, price may eventually go down with higher volume production and increased competition.

Let’s see what we can do.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

View Joe Lyddon's profile

Joe Lyddon

116 posts in 443 days


85 days ago

What are the Alternatives?
(to make an informed decision, one must know this).

What do you have against MDF? There is a Lighter Weight MDF that makes it easier to carry.

MDF is very stable and perfect for making veneered pieces.

That said, I still don’t like MDF… I don’t use it very much at all… BUT…

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

View DanM's profile

DanM

46 posts in 100 days


85 days ago

I’d also like to hear more about the problems with MDF, and its alternatives. I’m aware of difficulties with some building materials (some types of carpeting, for one) off-gassing chemicals like formaldehyde, given the glues & other compounds apt to be present in MDF, it’s not surprising the material would have potential issues.

I also wasn’t aware of bamboo being problematic. Can anyone elaborate on this, also?

Dan

View leonmcd's profile

leonmcd

175 posts in 362 days


85 days ago

I think this is the alternative mentioned.

Material Choices FX_Platform

-- Leon -- Houston, TX - " I create all my own designs and it looks like it "

View Jim Crockett's profile

Jim Crockett

78 posts in 124 days


85 days ago

The only MDF I can find here in my part of Maine is 3/4”. No Baltic Birch – I called one lumber company and they had no idea what I was talking about, no furniture grade plywood. Basically I can get fir plywood, 3/4” MDF, birch plywood (more voids than solid areas), oak plywood once in a while (afraid it will be as the birch), acuara (sp?) plywood, luan, pine, oak, maple & poplar dimensional lumber. I won a bid on ebay for two 24” lengths of 6” x 1/2” walnut and am very happy with it – real nice grain – especially for $ .99 plus $10.99 shipping.

Nearest hardwood dealer – also large selection of BB – is 150+ miles round trip and they don’t deliver on orders less than 100 bf. So, I build a lot of things out of pine!!!

The MDF alternative you mention might get to somewhere up here in the North Woods by the year 2020 and I’ll probably be long gone before then!

Jim

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


85 days ago

Hi All;

I’m working on tracking down the proper connection at Home Depot first, then Lowes. Seems a lot of us would like to be able to use an alternative to M.D.F.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

3246 posts in 353 days


84 days ago

Alright Lee, we still don’t know what alternative to MDF you are talking about. What do you mean??

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

View Joe Lyddon's profile

Joe Lyddon

116 posts in 443 days


84 days ago

- delete -

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

View clusive's profile

clusive

1 post in 89 days


84 days ago

hi

View normand's profile

normand

47 posts in 131 days


84 days ago

Hi Lee,

I have used it when forced; but weight, plus extremely rough wearing drawbacks on bits and blades, makes me seek other routes, like 3/4 AC plywood. [ not plugged and touched] , although most at the big box stores do not know that there is a difference.
Cabinet grade, AA is almost non- existent, and this is true in lumber yards also.

To have a suitable alternative, it seems as if certain criteria must be met, centering on weight, cutting properties, smoothness, and being adaptable to screw holding power, and these are are just a sampling of what we should be looking for in a substitute.

At any rate count me in.

Norm.

[ Where the heart is, there will your treasure be also. ]

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


84 days ago

Hi Thomas;

The post on the alternative.

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/309

It’s great stuff for many applications.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


84 days ago

Hi Joe;

I’ve visited your site, and enjoyed it many times.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


84 days ago

Hi Norm;

I agree it’s unfortunate that many woodworkers don’t have ready access to the finest quality sheet goods and sometimes even lumber, or if they do it’s at outrageous prices.

The product mentioned above has many of the properties of M.D.F. with some advantages.

I find it to be very useful.

Thank you;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1398 posts in 381 days


83 days ago

This looks like good stuff Lee. The ply construction should hold screws real well.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


81 days ago

Hi Dadoo;

It’s very handy for many applications.

Bob who?

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

3246 posts in 353 days


81 days ago

Lee,
I found the post on the alternative this morning. Looks like a good solution to several problems.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

View Russel's profile (online now)

Russel

1027 posts in 330 days


81 days ago

It looks like a good product and could surely use a wider distribution.

-- If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a darn fool about it.

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

2093 posts in 370 days


81 days ago

Hi Russel;

I’m sure it soon will be.

I’m still trying to hook up with someone from Home Depot. I would be nice if they started to carry it without messing with the quality.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

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