Cheapest way to cut MDF to size?

[owsnap]

Going to replace some kitchen countertops and decided to try and make all new doors for kitchen units, the kitchen units must be like 30years old however they are still in very good condition except they look very very very dated and have some damage to the cabinet faces (doors).
However I haven't made anything out of mdf before and I'm slightly worried about how I would go about cutting them up all nice and straight, jigsaw is out of option as it will mess it up probably, I normally cut plywood with just a nice sharp handsaw and can cut rather straight and without tearouts, however with MDF I suspect I would get terrible tearouts cutting just with handsaw and the finish wouldn't really be that pleasant?

I do not have a tablesaw and do not plan on getting one as I would rarely ever use it, I have thought about getting a new circular saw for some time but not sure if you could cut up mdf panels as acurate with a circular saw?

 

[MARK.B.]

A track saw would be the way to go. Or let your timber merchant cut to size for you.

 

[Jacob]

Cheapest is a "saw board" plus hand electric circ saw. Google it. It's a DIY track saw and very accurate - much better than you'd think.

One here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYcdHlwKsOg
Useful to make them quite wide so you clamp them with the clamps out of the way of the saw body. Lengths of B&Q mfc ideal.

 

[MikeJhn]

Do be aware that MDF produces the finest dust you can imagine when being cut, it will get everywhere including in your lungs if you don't take adequate precautions.

Mike

 

[MikeJhn]

As MDF does not have a grain you don't get much tear out, in fact less than with plywood.

Mike

 

[dzj]

+1 for the timber merchant.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The o.p. might be lucky - there isn't a timber merchant anywhere near me that cuts to size, and only one shed and they don't keep whole sheets anyway.

 

[petermillard]

+1 to all the above; get the yard to cut it for you, use a home-made saw board, or buy a tracksaw. And in case it hasn't been mentioned already, use Moisture Resistant (MR) MDF - it's a much better quality board for not much more money.

...I have thought about getting a new circular saw for some time but not sure if you could cut up mdf panels as acurate with a circular saw?

That's a non-issue; TBH, even with a home-made saw board any lack of accuracy would be down to you, not the saw.

Cheers, Peter

 

[lurker]

Unless you see a future need for a plunge saw and track then Jacob has the most practicable answer.

 

[pollys13]

B&Q have a free cutting service. I had some sheet MDF cut to size they did exact cuts. Take a cutting list and emphasize want exact cuts as spec. Wicks have a free cutting service too but they have shorter hours when someone is around to operate the machine. Think first couple of cuts are free then after might be nominal charge, would have to check.
Just spotted that Lidl track saw not a Festool I know but might be worth a look and might be able to fettle it so is better. I got some good quality clamps from Aldi, Lidl while back quite high clamping pressure too.

 

[MikeJhn]

Are these doors going to be just plain flat MDF or rail and stile type?

These are some wardrobe doors I did a few years ago:



Mike

 

[owsnap]

thanks guys for all the ideas, my local timber place gives you a handsaw which is so blunt and bent that you can't even cut in finger with it and off you go... Health&safety I guess just to give you stuff with which you can't hurt yourself


was not aware that b&q offers free cutting, will have to go and talk there and ask if they would cut up all the various sizes needed.
that would be the easiest/fastest and most precise solution to have it cut on a proper saw