Can anyone help to settle some doubts I have here in our workshop regarding MDF and reducing its thickness?
As far as I know, when MDF is manufactured it is subjected to a huge amount of pressure which creates an outer 'skin' of very dense fibres and as you work your way into the material, the core is softer until you again reach the other, harder side, a symmetrical balance of fibre-structure and pressure.
Now, Person 1, lets call him...Me, believes that if you upset this balance by thickness sanding your MDF down in a panel-sander and subsequently veneering it to suit your rebate/groove or for a lack of thinner material to hand, then ultimately this may be a bad thing. It may cause the base material to become unstable and cup or bend, and also the surface could become way too porous creating problems when veneering by sucking up too much glue.
Person 2, lets call him...my colleague, has no such reservations, and will happily take small amounts right up to mm's off the thickness of MDF board and later veneer it. He sees no issues with this at all.
What do you all think about this? Be interesting to hear your views.
Thanks.
As far as I know, when MDF is manufactured it is subjected to a huge amount of pressure which creates an outer 'skin' of very dense fibres and as you work your way into the material, the core is softer until you again reach the other, harder side, a symmetrical balance of fibre-structure and pressure.
Now, Person 1, lets call him...Me, believes that if you upset this balance by thickness sanding your MDF down in a panel-sander and subsequently veneering it to suit your rebate/groove or for a lack of thinner material to hand, then ultimately this may be a bad thing. It may cause the base material to become unstable and cup or bend, and also the surface could become way too porous creating problems when veneering by sucking up too much glue.
Person 2, lets call him...my colleague, has no such reservations, and will happily take small amounts right up to mm's off the thickness of MDF board and later veneer it. He sees no issues with this at all.
What do you all think about this? Be interesting to hear your views.
Thanks.