Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [mdf]

61 questions
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Rescue water damaged MDF door

One of our vanity doors is in very bad shape after a leak some time ago. Now I'm trying to save it if possible. I've managed to sand away the very bad swells However the bottom feels rather fluffy.  Can I just use any undercoat and paint it with…
John M.
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Should I choose MDF or plywood for my false stair treads?

I'm looking to install false stair treads and risers on my basement stairs. Generally, we're talking about a kit like this: Which is installed with adhesive and finishing nails like this: The project itself looks fairly straightforward, but I…
Chris Cudmore
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Plywood or MDF for workbench?

I'm planning to build a workbench/storage cabinet for my garage. Because of limited space (the width is only 420mm and the length 1,700mm), and the fact that it will only occasionally be used as a workbench and then only for mostly light duty work,…
user82609
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Plywood, MDF or Chipboard for painted bookshelves?

I am starting to plan some built-in bookshelves that will be painted with mat or eggshell paint. The fronts of the shelves and upright will be moulded maybe with a router or softwood mouldings glued on. We have not yet decided if the shelves…
Walker
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Fill groove in MDF door

I'm painting some MDF doors, and noticed that someone appears to have run a stanley knife over one of them, perhaps whilst removing them from their packing. I've sanded the area back as much as I can, but the groove isn't completely gone. What…
Kent Boogaart
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How can I attach a 1/8" strip of steel to MDF so that it stays secure forever for eternity?

I have attached two 3/4" panels of MDF together, so the end result is a 1 1/2"-thick panel. I need to reinforce it so that it does not bow, so I thought of attaching a 1/8"x1 1/2"x6' strip of steel along the edge. Simple research has introduced me…
oscilatingcretin
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Dado (+glue) or just screws (+glue) for painted MDF bookcase

I am thinking of building some MDF build-in bookcases, dado joints are clearly stronger but creates lots of mess from a router and takes more time. As the book case will be painted, I can hide any screw heads, so that is not an issue. I see 4…
Walker
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How can I fill and flatten unneeded hinge mortices for painting?

I have removed a bathroom door and installed a sliding barn door on the other side of the wall. The door frame in the bathroom now has the open sores of where the three hinges came off. The house was built in 2004 and all the door frames are…
Nolo Problemo
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MDF (particle board) edge sealing for smooth painted finish

I am working with CNC routers and a lot of MDF, which is great UNLESS you need to paint the edges which are furry in some spots and all open and porus everywhere else. I build plinths that need to be enamel smooth and show no seams or texture…
Oliver Kellow
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Which kind of board is easiest to work with?

I am building a model for a school and need a material to build it out of. I was wondering which of these three boards are easiest to work with? MDF, Chipboard, Pine or Plywood? The following are the most important in my choice How easy is it to get…
Deep
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How can I repair my bathroom cabinet?

I've got a Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) sink cabinet that is at least 30, if not 50 years old. The bottom has gotten wet a few hundred times from a shower that was near it, and it is flaking apart at the bottom where it meets the linoleum. It's…
RLZaleski
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Most appropriate design for built in wardrobe - Long or short sections

I am going to tackle a set of built in wardrobes for our slightly-less-than standard width alcove. Annoyingly it is about 149cm wide whereas most wardrobes are 150! Silly new-build designers. The space is 149 x 239cm (w x h) and I currently have a…
physicsboy
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Is there a reasonable substitute for nail guns when installing baseboards?

What are the alternatives to nail guns? I need to install new MDF based baseboards and trims. Buying a new nail gun with air compressor or a battery powered nail-gun is quite costly. I see there is also nail tacker or hammer tackers available. Will…
Mark
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Can I make cabinet doors out of mdf?

I have just read “Can I make cabinet doors out of plywood?”, I was thinking of making some doors out of mdf with mdf strips glued to the front so they look like they have a frame. Am I going to get problems?
Walker
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Durable top coat for MDF worktop / workbench

I need to build a desk / worktop / workbench for my retro computer projects. It will be used daily, so I want to have extreme durability to protect against wears, scuffs and scratches as much as possible. I have MDF cut to size, sealed and primed.…
Bartek Malysz
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