Blades for MDF - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

browndog · 09-03-2008, 10:23 PM

After reading the puzzle post by johnB I gotta try this. I love spiral blades, so that being said what would be good blades to use for cutting MDF 1/4" as well as 1/2" mdf I'm guessing

That looks like loads of fun

greatdane2 · 09-03-2008, 10:34 PM

I find that all my normal blades work on MDF, but they get chewed up real fast. All the glue they use plays hell on blades and bits.

Alan.

browndog · 09-03-2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatdane2

I find that all my normal blades work on MDF, but they get chewed up real fast. All the glue they use plays hell on blades and bits.

Alan.

So how does it cut..MDF that is. Don't have any handy just curious. Might pick up some 1/4 tonight

greatdane2 · 09-03-2008, 11:20 PM

It is a wonderful wood(?) to shape or router. The wood they use is very fine so you get an edge that is finished after routing for example. The dust is problem as well.
If you are going to srew it you need to predrill the holes and use screws with less curves(?) as a regular screw will just pull out. I rough sand the edges to be glued as well. In small pieces there is no strength, I use it to make wall plaques out of crests. and you have to be carefull with the small letters etc.
If you are going to use the thicker sheets try and figure if you can get it cut in half by the store. It is very heavy. I usually slide a sheet out of my truck and onto saw horses, and cut it there. Did I metion it is very heavy. LOL.
I use it a lot, if the end result will be painted.

Alan.

Dragon · 09-04-2008, 12:37 AM

What John is using is 1/4 and 1/8 inch. I get some pieces of 1/2 and 5/8 inch for free and use it only very slowly because I'm never sure what to make with it.
Diane

3_M · 09-04-2008, 08:48 PM

Browndog,
Did you get my PM?
Mike

browndog · 09-04-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3_M

Browndog,
Did you get my PM?
Mike

Sure did, thanks a million and will be ordering soon

Joe

jigsue · 09-05-2008, 12:33 AM

Hi

I use lots of MDF - especially when I paint stuff. It does cut really easily: you never get stuck in the grain, although, as said previously, it does dull blades quicker than wood.

I treat exactly the same as wood and use blades according to the thickness of the board I'm using. I guess Mike has given you ideas - but as far as I am concerned it doesn't need any kind of special treatment.

Beware the dust is very fine, but no more noxious than ply. I wear a mask anyway, along with a dust extractor, so do not have any major problems.

Its great advantage is no major sanding required. I just cover it with sander/sealer, using a little extra on the cut edges and then rub with some very fine paper and it is ready for painting. As you can see from John Bs stuff (and mine if you want to take a look), the paint goes on beautifully.

Good luck - show us what you do with it.

Cheers

Sue

JohnB · 09-05-2008, 02:44 AM

G'day Joe,
As Sue says no special blades are required.

I use 3mm MDF as backings because a) it is cheap. B) it does the job nicely C) I get a lot of it for nothing as it is used for cover sheets.

I also use 3mm ply when I have some left over or pick it up at a good price.

I tried using 6mm ply for the faces but never liked the way it painted up, as much as I liked the MDF

Go and have a look at Sue's work, it is beautiful.

browndog · 09-08-2008, 01:28 PM

Thanks a million for the link and advice

Joe

09-03-2008, 10:23 PM	#1
browndog Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mi Posts: 55	Blades for MDF After reading the puzzle post by johnB I gotta try this. I love spiral blades, so that being said what would be good blades to use for cutting MDF 1/4" as well as 1/2" mdf I'm guessing That looks like loads of fun __________________ New Dewalt 788 Owner Last edited by browndog; 09-03-2008 at 10:48 PM.

09-04-2008, 12:37 AM	#5
Dragon scroller and moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chertsey, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2,421	What John is using is 1/4 and 1/8 inch. I get some pieces of 1/2 and 5/8 inch for free and use it only very slowly because I'm never sure what to make with it. Diane __________________ Dragon Owner of a Dewalt 788 PuffityDragon on AFSP

09-04-2008, 08:48 PM	#6
3_M Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brandon, SD Posts: 628	Mdf Browndog, Did you get my PM? Mike __________________ Home of the FD Blades

09-05-2008, 02:44 AM	#9
JohnB 1 Tin Soldier Rides Away Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Posts: 4,859	G'day Joe, As Sue says no special blades are required. I use 3mm MDF as backings because a) it is cheap. B) it does the job nicely C) I get a lot of it for nothing as it is used for cover sheets. I also use 3mm ply when I have some left over or pick it up at a good price. I tried using 6mm ply for the faces but never liked the way it painted up, as much as I liked the MDF Go and have a look at Sue's work, it is beautiful. __________________ Regards John "The Golden Mile" I got holes in both of my shoes Well I'm a walking case of the blues Saw a dollar yesterday But the wind blew it away Some of my Stuff Retired Medically Unfit WA Police Officers

09-08-2008, 01:28 PM	#10
browndog Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mi Posts: 55	Thanks a million for the link and advice Joe __________________ New Dewalt 788 Owner

09-03-2008, 10:34 PM	#2
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	I find that all my normal blades work on MDF, but they get chewed up real fast. All the glue they use plays hell on blades and bits. Alan.

09-03-2008, 11:20 PM	#4
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	It is a wonderful wood(?) to shape or router. The wood they use is very fine so you get an edge that is finished after routing for example. The dust is problem as well. If you are going to srew it you need to predrill the holes and use screws with less curves(?) as a regular screw will just pull out. I rough sand the edges to be glued as well. In small pieces there is no strength, I use it to make wall plaques out of crests. and you have to be carefull with the small letters etc. If you are going to use the thicker sheets try and figure if you can get it cut in half by the store. It is very heavy. I usually slide a sheet out of my truck and onto saw horses, and cut it there. Did I metion it is very heavy. LOL. I use it a lot, if the end result will be painted. Alan.

09-05-2008, 12:33 AM	#8
jigsue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 896	Hi I use lots of MDF - especially when I paint stuff. It does cut really easily: you never get stuck in the grain, although, as said previously, it does dull blades quicker than wood. I treat exactly the same as wood and use blades according to the thickness of the board I'm using. I guess Mike has given you ideas - but as far as I am concerned it doesn't need any kind of special treatment. Beware the dust is very fine, but no more noxious than ply. I wear a mask anyway, along with a dust extractor, so do not have any major problems. Its great advantage is no major sanding required. I just cover it with sander/sealer, using a little extra on the cut edges and then rub with some very fine paper and it is ready for painting. As you can see from John Bs stuff (and mine if you want to take a look), the paint goes on beautifully. Good luck - show us what you do with it. Cheers Sue

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode