For MDF Phobics.

[JohnB]

G'day all,
Have been doing some research on MDF and formaldehyde emissions.

From what I have found, Ply, as I suspected is glued with a formaldehyde based adhesive.

The dangers caused by MDF and Ply dust are the same. NONE to extremely slight.

My research has been in regard to Australian products, although Britain adheres to the same specs.

For further information this article just about sums up what I have discovered.

http://www.safetysolutions.net.au/fe...e.asp?item=756

Hope you find it of some use.

[CanadianScroller]

I use MDF when the project calls for it.
I know I disregard safety precautions, I rarely wear a mask.
I really should. I should also turn on the vacuum to keep the dust levels down.
I know Gill will be happy to see another proponent of MDF, it is a wonderful material for many projects, and the consistent cutting density makes it a joy to use.

[JohnB]

G'day Carl,
I'm a bit like you, rarely wear a mask, only wear ear muffs when using the Thicknesser.
I know I should do all of the above and more, especially as I all ready suffer from some industrial deafness. or as my wife says selective hearing.

I go into the shed to enjoy myself and I reckon that getting kitted up with all the gear the fun would quickly evaporate, especially on days that are between 35 and 45c.

[Gill]

Hear hear!

There's nothing quite like proper wood for certain projects, but MDF really does get a much worse press than it deserves. In terms of safety, it's no worse than any other wood product - as that article states and so does the British Health & Safety Executive. Our American friends often josh us for being too cautious (and in many ways they're right) so perhaps the fact that MDF is deemed by Europeans to be as safe as any other wooden material might encourage more people to use it. So long as the same precautions are taken that should be observed when cutting any other wood, it's perfectly safe.

Sadly, not all MDF seems to be the quality it once was. Nowadays, it's difficult to find material which doesn't cut 'fluffy'. Still, this just means it needs a little more undercoat and sanding to get a good painted finish.

Some woodworkers seem to get very precious about anything made out of an artificial material and go out of their way to sneer at it, often casting ill-informed aspersions. Good work is good work and I don't care if it's cut out of wood, metal, MDF, acrylic, Corian or carrots!

Gill

[jigsue]

I'm with you, Gill. I use MDF whenever I'm going to paint a project. Because there is no grain, there is no worry about pieces pulling out (a real problem with ply on some very fine cuts). It is also very much more affordable, needs less preparation (sanding and the like) to get a finish worthy of painting and, once painted and varnished, you really cannot tell the difference. I could not have afforded all of the wood to practice on. I have gone through stacks of MDF and, if I make a mistake, do not feels so bad when I have to throw it away. (I wish it buned better, then we could use it on our log burner, but hey, we get most of our wood given, anyway.)

I still use wood when it is called for, and wholly appreciate it on some projects, but MDF is a great substitiute.

Sue

[CanadianScroller]

Ahh Carrot scrolling, now there is a lost art!

One thing about MDF is it is readily available.
I found it very frustrating when I first started scrolling, trying to locate different woods for different projects.

I do understand that the grain in a finished piece of wood can make or break a project, and I do like to see intarsia with a nice blend of woods, but I also love the way that Gill and others like her, sculpt MDF and finish it any way they like.

It may take a little getting used to but it certainly has a place in my shop. I hope others discover the joys , as Gill says, of Mangling MDF

[Gill]

I'm soooo unhappy with the quality of plywood on this side of the Pond . Lately, I've been cutting jigsaws and having to use construction grade plywood as a base. Quality birch plywood isn't available locally and buying by mail order is terribly expensive. Purists may not like it, but I'm coming to the conclusion that if I ever start making jigsaws for other people, I'll probably have to use MDF as a base.

Gill

PS You've got a good memory, Carl. It's ages since I last described myself as an 'MDF Mangler'. Still true, though . I'd rather be manglin' MDF than anything else in the workshop.

[Pajaro]

I have played around with 3/8 inch (1/4 inch is too thin breaks easy) wafer-board, with some good results. Takes quite a bit of sanding, before cutting, but so far so good. You can get some interesting coloration and designs with a high gloss coating on it.

[Tor]

Originally Posted by Gill

Purists may not like it, but I'm coming to the conclusion that if I ever start making jigsaws for other people, I'll probably have to use MDF as a base.

Well, I use it as a base for my work, but for puzzles, I would be reluctant to use it, and would probably prefer finish grade plywood, as would be used for making cabinets. That plywood tends to have a pretty good number of plies, although not quite what top grade BB ply is like. I just don't trust the glue to hold up in small long bits like that. I have worked with a variety of types of plywood, as well as MDF.

Tor

[Gill]

Tor, the quality of plywood that you're talking about just isn't available over here unless you're prepared to pay silly money. Believe me, I've looked .

Gill