MDF Substitute?
08-27-2009, 02:48 PM
#11
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 26
speaking from experience working in a wood shop:
actual hardwood planks are not a great idea. It has very high chances of having imperfections in the wood like knots, cracks, sap, etc... This could lead to structural problems and unwanted vibrations. Also, the hardwood planks would have to be coated and sealed inside and out with a lacquer or paint to prevent it from drying up.
Hardwood plywood. its an option but its not the most solid option. the process of layering sheets of veneer introduces more margins for error on the structural rigidity of the plywood. layers could split, some knots could be sandwiched in the layers and start cracking, etc... There are high end plywoods that would eliminate most problems like Baltic Birch but expect to pay a premium for 1 sheet.
MDF (medium density fiberboard) is probably the most common wood used for many reasons. The manufacturing process of MDF eliminates almost all imperfections in the wood core and creates a straight uniform board. this stuff usually does not warp or absorbs much water (although its still recommended to coat it with something to seal the wood). And as a bonus, its real nice to work with.
There is also a product called HDF (High density Fiberboard). It basically is MDF packed and compressed tighter to create a more heavy duty board.
actual hardwood planks are not a great idea. It has very high chances of having imperfections in the wood like knots, cracks, sap, etc... This could lead to structural problems and unwanted vibrations. Also, the hardwood planks would have to be coated and sealed inside and out with a lacquer or paint to prevent it from drying up.
Hardwood plywood. its an option but its not the most solid option. the process of layering sheets of veneer introduces more margins for error on the structural rigidity of the plywood. layers could split, some knots could be sandwiched in the layers and start cracking, etc... There are high end plywoods that would eliminate most problems like Baltic Birch but expect to pay a premium for 1 sheet.
MDF (medium density fiberboard) is probably the most common wood used for many reasons. The manufacturing process of MDF eliminates almost all imperfections in the wood core and creates a straight uniform board. this stuff usually does not warp or absorbs much water (although its still recommended to coat it with something to seal the wood). And as a bonus, its real nice to work with.
There is also a product called HDF (High density Fiberboard). It basically is MDF packed and compressed tighter to create a more heavy duty board.
08-27-2009, 02:55 PM
#12
I'll say it again, there is much better wood out there than MDF. It's just very expensive and difficult to find.
08-29-2009, 01:49 PM
#13
mDF is your best bet if you have the money get birch and if you can always use 1" as it will be your best option
MDF is cheap but VERY HEAVY
BIRCH is expensive but VERY light so depending on what you will be putting it in, thats your answer
MDF is cheap but VERY HEAVY
BIRCH is expensive but VERY light so depending on what you will be putting it in, thats your answer
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