I could not help noticing the anti-MDF posts in the forum, so I thought I should take the opportunity.
Even though I take the point that it may not be true cabinet making using MDF, it can be put to good use in making some decent (but bloody heavy) furniture. I have used both raw and veneered and they always seem to put the better quality veneers on MDF than on chipboard.
Granted, it is horrible stuff to work with as far as the mess it makes, but it is stable (hence very good for speaker cabinets, fireplaces and radiator covers).
I have worked in a kitchen manufacturers woodworking shop where the owner refused point blank to ever use it due the bad press. While everyone else was making coated MDF doors with nice mouldings etc, he was using the more limited and much less versatile chipboard. He went bust last month.
Anyway, have a look at the kitchen I made for my own home here.
http://www.raysmiffy.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/kitchen.xml
Note the rustic look (read as 'built in margin for roughness') :roll:
The carcasses and the doors are 18mm MDF, and 12mm MDF for the unit back panels. The carcasses and the doors are painted with the Dulux brand of the 16x harder than ordinary emulsion. This resisted the tendency to chip and peel, bit it was very easily marked. The solution was to further coat with water based varnish which created a wipe easy clean surface.
The hardwood used is Ash (also very heavy)
The main point is, if you are prepared to put in the effort, you can get exactly the kitchen you want for a fraction of the price of even from MFI.
I agree MDF is horrible stuff in the workshop, but it is one of the cheapest, stable and versatile boards you can get.
Of course, you guys that have used it know this already.
Cheers,
Ray.
Even though I take the point that it may not be true cabinet making using MDF, it can be put to good use in making some decent (but bloody heavy) furniture. I have used both raw and veneered and they always seem to put the better quality veneers on MDF than on chipboard.
Granted, it is horrible stuff to work with as far as the mess it makes, but it is stable (hence very good for speaker cabinets, fireplaces and radiator covers).
I have worked in a kitchen manufacturers woodworking shop where the owner refused point blank to ever use it due the bad press. While everyone else was making coated MDF doors with nice mouldings etc, he was using the more limited and much less versatile chipboard. He went bust last month.
Anyway, have a look at the kitchen I made for my own home here.
http://www.raysmiffy.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/kitchen.xml
Note the rustic look (read as 'built in margin for roughness') :roll:
The carcasses and the doors are 18mm MDF, and 12mm MDF for the unit back panels. The carcasses and the doors are painted with the Dulux brand of the 16x harder than ordinary emulsion. This resisted the tendency to chip and peel, bit it was very easily marked. The solution was to further coat with water based varnish which created a wipe easy clean surface.
The hardwood used is Ash (also very heavy)
The main point is, if you are prepared to put in the effort, you can get exactly the kitchen you want for a fraction of the price of even from MFI.
I agree MDF is horrible stuff in the workshop, but it is one of the cheapest, stable and versatile boards you can get.
Of course, you guys that have used it know this already.
Cheers,
Ray.