MFT top, ply or MDF

[Gordon Moore]

Hi All,
I am going to make an MFT top work bench that will come off it’s legs to stack for space.
What’s the views on ply for a slightly lighter cans hard wearing top, or the accuracy and flatness of MDF albeit heavier ( I will be buying one from The guy based in wantage)
Thanks
Gordon

 

[paulrbarnard]

If you plan to cut in to the surface of the MFT then MDF is probably better as the ply tends to chip a bit more

 

[Spectric]

I think of the worktop as being consumable, it will not last forever and is a good place to use MDF. To make it / keep it flat and more durable use some supports under it.

 

[Nelsun]

18mm moisture resistant (the green stuff) MDF all the way for me. Ply will tear out around dog holes and any kerf lines - unless you're spending good money on good ply.

MDF will slag ever so slightly over time as Spectric points out so you can flip it over every month, or if you're like me and CBA / forget, some kind of stiff supports underneath are a good idea if you value flatness.

 

[Gordon Moore]

Thanks for feedback. I was looking to build a torsion box aka 10 minute workshop, and then some sort of beam to clamp into my work mate. So MR MDF it is
Thanks
Gordon

 

[recipio]

If flatness is important I would suggest blockboard. Any ply or MDF left on it's edge will warp imo.

 

[Gordon Moore]

Sorry I’m rank amateur, block board?
I’m only thinking flatness for accuracy?

 

[Gordon Moore]

Just had a troll on the interweb and found out what block board is.
Is this a material that is used for MFT tops?

 

[recipio]

Just had a troll on the interweb and found out what block board is.
Is this a material that is used for MFT tops?

Not that I know of but I can't see why not. It's a sheet material made from solid strips of pine laminated together and then skinned with two sheets of veneer. It's the 'stiffest' of all the sheet materials . However if you make a torsion box it will be equally stiff. As an aside I make lots of shelves out of cheap flush doors which are essentially torsion boxes as well. You just have to reinforce the cut edges by glueing in a softwood batten between the outer leaves.

 

[Gordon Moore]

Is there an advised space height under the top to allow for clamps / access etc?

 

[Distinterior]

Is there an advised space height under the top to allow for clamps / access etc?

If using 18mm thick material, the Festool style clamps require a minimum of 52mm clearance below the underside to ensure they dont hit anything.....

 

[Spectric]

Or you can use the microjig clamping system with the slots running between the rows / colombs of dog holes which can make clamping really easy, the only downside is having to hoover out the slots occasionally.

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/micro-jig-matchfit-dovetail-clamps-pair/

 

[Wattsjoinerybarn]

I have 2 that are 18months old. Had lots of abuse and still in great condition.

18mm standard mdf sanded and coated in what ever oil you have, hard wax works well.

Remember to router a chamfer in every hole,
It hurts like twittery if you get your finger caught in one when sliding things across!

 

[Fatboy]

I used 18mm structural hardwood ply from Travis Perkins and made my own. Harder wearing that MDF IMHO

 

[Chrispy]

Hi All,
I am going to make an MFT top work bench that will come off it’s legs to stack for space.
What’s the views on ply for a slightly lighter cans hard wearing top, or the accuracy and flatness of MDF albeit heavier ( I will be buying one from The guy based in wantage)
Thanks
Gordon

Why not ask the guy based in Wantage, I understand he's a very nice and helpful chap.

 

[Windows]

My experience of MDF is that it smells like MDF whereas plywood smells like wood. The surface of MDF is like cardboard or compressed paper whereas the surface of plywood is like wood. MDF is not stiff, plywood is stiffer (more like wood). When you cut plywood, you get saw dust; when you cut MDF, you get … dust.

I have an MDF MFT top and a plywood one. I wouldn’t get another MDF one.

 

[Gordon Moore]

Thanks everyone for your tips and advice. Yes Chris from Wantage is a very nice guy. Now have to design and build a surround / support and a way to mount it on my Workmate