popshop13 Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 I do a lot of plaque of various patterns, mostly from hardwood (oak, maple, ash etc.) I am wanting to expand into painted plaques and was wondering if MDF would be a good? What are the advantages or disadvantages over using soft woods like pine or poplar. Would I need to alter the blade selection and how does MDF effect the blades. I use FDUR for most of my cuttings. thanks POPS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolfmoonCT Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 I would think that MDF would dull the blades more due to the large amount of glue in the construction of the material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 MDF paints really nice, except the edges will soak up paint very quickly A lot of people will size the edges with watered down glue before painting. Or you can prime the wood with a double layer on the edges. I like the way it cuts. One thing to note, though. MDF dust is toxic and very fine. You don't want that in your lungs. So be sure to wear a dust mask and take any other necessary precautions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzern Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I agree with Travis, definitely wear a dust mask, I have been working with 24 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of MDF making 110 shelves for lockers to sell to my school (I am in middle school), once I didn't wear a respirator and I was hacking up small balls of MDF dust for a day or two after. Now I where a respirator. Also, be careful, if you drop a board of MDF on its corner, it will start to peel up like cardboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artmill Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 At the risk of sounding foolish, what is fdur? Is it douglas fir? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chippygeoff Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 Hi Pops. I just had a friend stay with me for a week, all she had ever cut previously was 18mm MDF and she was really bored with it. It was not the cutting of it that got her down but the finishing, two coats of primer and then two top coats of acrylic paint, so time consuming, especially on plaques with names cut out. I got her to cut a few things in birch ply wood and one coat of acrylic brush on paint gave a great finish, two coats were even better. i then got her to cut a few things in hardwood and you should have seen her face when I put an oil finish on it and the grain pattern seemed to jump out. Now she is hooked on making things in birch ply and hardwood and never wants to see another piece of MDF as long as she lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toolbeltman Posted July 22, 2012 Report Share Posted July 22, 2012 fdur.... is a specific type of blade sold by Mike...@ mikes workshop....hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artmill Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Fdur-Flying Dutchman, duh? Now I really feel dumb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popshop13 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2012 I am a bit confused, Travis says MDF paints well and now Artmill girl friend is fed up. I guess opinion are like belly buttons, everyone has one except Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forester Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 I only use MDF I put MDF sealer on first then it paints great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsN Posted July 29, 2012 Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 how well it paints depends on what part you are painting and the type of paint that you use. Like someone said, the edges soak up paint (or what ever you put on them) so you need to be careful with that. The flat surface is really flat and paints well if you are doing artistic painting type things. mdf does not play well with water or humidity, in my experience, so if you are outside avoid it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpowellpumphrey Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 I too, really like MDF but the painting was a problem. What is MDF sealer and where is it found? I mean, lowes, home depot or a craft shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artmill Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Not my GF. ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harleyguy Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 If your doing outdoor work, why not use MDO, it is like mdf except made for outdoor use. Sign companies use it all the time. harleyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpowellpumphrey Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 As an experiment I put a piece of unpainted, unfinished, MDF in a glass of water the other day. The MDF was about 1/4 inch tapering to 0 and about three inches long. I was thinking of making some necklace pendants from it and I wanted to see how it might hold up under sweat and humidity. I forgot about putting it in until the next week when I was able to get back into the shop. I pulled this sliver out of the glass again and it was slightly pliable but still rather strong and had not lost it's shape. I checked the flexibility and it was still firm although a little bendable but not in the thicker part. I then dried it out to see how it worked. It was just like new cutting it and it still retained the original shape. My opinion, for what it's worth, is that it will definitely hold up under the heat, humidity and use of being a wearable. I'll be doing some more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobis62 Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 I use B-I-N Shellac-base primer dries quick and very low smell. Also I use FD-TC blades they seem to last the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted October 29, 2012 Report Share Posted October 29, 2012 nice to know info about mdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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