Need Ideas

[MrsN]

I have been in a bit if a creative funk lately, I want to try and break it but can't settle on what to make. 

A friend gave me a sheet of 1/2" mdf (not my favorite but the right price and it is good for somethings) I got several dozen of my favorite blades for Christmas. I've got a free weekend. There is a comfy stool at the saw and a great playlist waiting to jam out.

All I need is the idea. So what would you make? Help me break the strollers block.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Oh I would be weary of scrolling MDF. That makes a good backer but the dust can be dangerous. Plus if scrolling they dull blades easily. Need certain blades. Just my opinion. Many fine patterns here in the library or on Steve Goods site. 

[preprius]

grab a 3/4"  board and make a  bowl.

[Wichman]

Your profile lists portrait style projects. 

For the 1/2" MDF, I would suggest a portrait with lots of open space, to take advantage of the walls that would show, rather than a pattern with lots of close together lines.

A pattern from the village library to show the style I'm referring to, the white is what is saved:

 

[BadBob]

MDF works great for toys and most puzzles. Like you, I had some free MDF and experimented with it. It paints great, but you need to seal it, especially the edges. I used white acrylic paint, recoating and sanding until it stopped soaking in.

This toy cars bodies made from MDF:

[barb.j.enders]

Some segmentation items look great painted.  Or, Wendell Woodworks has a couple of videos that have some ideas. 

 

[TAIrving]

Following.  I am in a bit of a creative funk myself.  My last project ended with an unpleasant reaction to sawdust from a particular species of wood.  And I have spent a few days dealing with family issues.  I want/need to get back in the shop doing creative things, but what?  

[Roberta Moreton]

I have seen many segmentation projects made in MDF. I haven’t tried it myself   

[Joe W.]

If you haven't tried power wood carving, consider giving that a try.  
An angle grinder, wood carving disc for it, and a good sized log. (or wood of your choice).
Then let your creative juices shape it into a functional item or a piece of artwork.
Sand and finish as desired.

Lots of YouTube videos on the net to help you get started.

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Wow I am shocked how many people here cut, carve and use MDF and also as toys. Last I checked the formula is still used and it has lots of formaldehyde in the product which is toxic to breathe. using as large pieces means less cutting but still releases fine dust that now gets in the shop and stays everywhere so every time you move that dust it gets suspended in the air again. Unless you constantly wear good quailty safety masks and clean off before going into the house, man wood dust is bad enough. Maybe I am missing something. I know regulations have changed to the amount of formaldehyde can be used and there is some MDF that claims it is formaldehyde free so maybe that is what is being used. 

[JimNC]

I also have have been in "a bit of a creative funk lately". Maybe the winter? This has been the coldest winter that I have seen in Central North Carolina since I moved here in 2003. We even had 2 snow fall's, prior to that I have seen one other  snows....of course  the snow cover was gone the next day.

The last few day's we had some spring type weather and I did some "shop work" and the "funk" has decreased!

 

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I am of the opposite mind. I have way too many ideas and sometimes no ambition or time. I have a bunch of projects I want to work on this winter and have started a couple weeks ago but this past week I got hit with a stomach bug that set me down. Just started feeling better so next week back in the shop. No scrolling projects but lathe projects. My scrolling days are just about done.