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Using MDF for furniture style projects

5K views 32 replies 26 participants last post by  GCM 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just wondering what y'alls thoughts are about using MDF for furniture type projects?

Personally, I don't are for it…and it is really messy with the dust (even with dust collection).

I have several projects ahead of me to build (and give price quotes). One of which is similar to this.

One will be stained and one will be painted (YUK!).

I have access to just about any kind of material I need from a local hardwood lumber yard. No doubt, cost is a factor so it would be beneficial if I can keep the cost of materials down. My thinking is if I build one, I will probably get requests for more so I want to make sure I get it right the first time. :)

Your thoughts appreciated.

Thanks
Mike
 
#3 ·
It's great for painted projects I built some pantry shelving units for some friends they turned out great I was able to do all the cutting and, routing outside with a stand fan pushing the dust away fom me. You have to think about sagging for the shelves themselves I added stiffeners across the fronts and a cleat at the backs.
 
#4 ·
If you are making a lot of something it might be beneficial cost wise to use MDF or other low cost material in areas where it does not make a difference. However, I found that unless you can replace several sheets or board feet of pricier material it is not worth the effort.

I have used MDF on a lot of projects that are painted, because it is less cost and paints easier. Other than the weight I like the way it machines.
 
#6 ·
Good answers. That's kind of what I was thinking also.
Thanks.

I think for sure I am going to make one of those kitchen islands out of white pine with pine beadboard and stain it. That's is what my sister in law wants. Cutting board top shouldn't be a problem for me to make. I have made some before.

The other SIL probably wants hers painted white. UGH! I will have to research what paint to use and how to get a smooth finish. Prolly paint the beadboard first, then install it.
 
#9 ·
For kitchens use plywood. I built a nightstand from MDF, painted it. I really didn't think it would last long but I built it around 10 years ago and my daughter is using it now, it's as solid as the day I built it. The biggest downside was all the dust.
 
#11 ·
Folks,

MDF is not allowed in my shop any longer. I creates really nasty fine dust that is very had to clean, it some places its almost like a paste. I am sure it not any good for you lungs and nose.

I cut 2 shallow dados for a table saw sled, the packed dust got every where, its like a fine dirt. I am still finding in places.

I might use MDF if it really fit the project, but I will not rout or cut it in doors.
 
#12 ·
I used it form making the tops for my workbenches, glued two 3/4" pieces together and lamainated. It works well for this but I am not much to work with it for much else. It has some good uses but if I make a piece of furniture I want to show off the wood, not paint. Maybe it is just me…. (laughing)
 
#13 ·
MDF is an excellent substrate for marquetry and veneering in general as it is very flat and uniform and unlikely to move. Many fine furniture pieces are made with an MDF base but you'd never know it. For utilitarian pieces however I'd go with good paint grade birch.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm imagining archeologists in a few hundred years or more running into particle board and mdf furniture. Will any of it still be intact? If moisture gets to it, seems they would find only clumps of brown sludge, maybe with a marquetry overlay.

Could anyone ever regard a well-aged piece of Ikea furniture as a valuable antique? I suppose so (sigh). Stranger things have happened.

Maybe even particle board stuff with wood-grain contact paper will be looked on with admiration. (gag)
 
#17 ·
Cabinetry Drawer Wood Dresser Chest of drawers


I dont know MT some poeple love it but down here in southeast missouri they love there oak and I have had customer's who like's the desgain but not it being made of MDF and than I have a lote of mom's and dad's who are pissed becouse they go out a spen $100 for a dresser and it only last a year if that long and I got poeple that has been waiting a mouth of two for dresser thats how far beheen I am. her's a pic of a peice I done for one older wamen but its made from oak now.
 

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#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
MDF has it's place in the shop. Mostly for jigs, drill boards, cauls, bending forms, and other project assisting items. I have this conversation with people all the time. For me.. MDF, HDF, and LDF are just boards of dust held in place by a binder and the density being how much pressure is used and they all have the same problem… longevity, and I mean if you want your table to be around as long as egyptian wood furniture (2,000+ years) fiber board just won't make it. It expands with moisture like a sponge, it can last and has durability but only for a lifetime. But the benefits of the material make it worth having around… no movement… flat… no grain = easy to carve and manipulate (easy to dent unless it is HDF) and can come in affordable thicknesses up to 1.5". You can seal it with a wood hardener and a coat of varnish and any template will last a decade… but it must be sealed completely or a month later it will be useless. I can not abide building with it.. but that is only a personal preference for wood color and figure… and that my ego wants to make things that will last four or five generations. and fiber board just has no inherent strength for tight joints and wracking movements… screws and glue can rip out… so I use knock down hardware where I need strength.
 
#20 ·
I think it's fine to use in conjunction with real wood rails and stiles for painted pieces. I wouldn't use it any place that could it could get wet, however. I also think one of the above posters should respect readers a bit more and spend the time to punctuate and spell check. Reading a paragraph long sentence is tiresome.
 
#21 ·
Lots of good input. Thanks to all for taking the time to offer their thoughts and opinions. Y'all petty much confirmed what I was thinking about using MDF.

Hopefully this thread will benefit other readers that have had similar thoughts about MDF.

@David Dean - like your project. I have a microwave stand to build. It might turn out looking somewhat similar to your project. :)

Mike
 
#23 ·
A lot of store bought furniture these days is made with MDF. Nothing wrong with it other than it's heavy weight. The stability of MDF is a big plus, especially for table tops. As long as you can cover the edges with solid wood and apply veneers to the surfaces, you can produce good results. I would not use it for drawers or furniture backs. This is where plywood is best; baltic birch for sides, back and bottom, hardwood for drawer fromts.
 
#24 ·
MDF is used a lot in high end furniture as a substrate on top of which >>THICK<< veneers are pressed. this is done to minimize natural wood movements, as well as reduce costs (both production and long term maintenance/support costs).

It does produce nasty super-fine dust.

for hobby use, if you cannot properly control that fine dust, it is best to look at alternatives unless you really have an abundance of free supply and want to make the best of it - in which case, make sure you use a proper respirator and use dust extraction as much as possible.
 
#26 ·
I use MDF quite a bit - but the overwhelming reason is cost - in the US plywood seems to be so cheap compared to what we pay here in Oz that I would have thought for most purposes it would be the better alternative. There are, however, some other benefits of MDF particularly for painted pieces, machinability and stability being probably the main ones. The main disadvantages are weight and edge finishing. Obviously it is quite a good choice for built-ins where weight is not an issue and edges are generally covered up with a face frame.
 
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