Routing out MDF.

[Totallyout2lunch]

I was wondering if anyone has routed out some of the side panels of MDF to save on weight? Does it seriously decrease stability or lateral strength? Does it actually save much in the overall weight of the cab? Is it worth it?

See diagram if your not sure what I am talking about, the idea is to remove the grey area.

Cheers.

[Wienerdog]

I don't see a diagram, but it sounds like a mess.  Look for MDO if you want to save weight and are using t-molding.  It is plywood with an MDF surface.  It is a little more than half the weight of MDF and has better stability.

PS.  Probaby 1/4 of the MDF you route would end up in your lungs if you don't do it right.

[pathdoc2]

I like my cabs very heavy so MDF is the stuff I like to use.  I would think you would also want a heavy solid platform for you control panel.  It would take forever to perform a route like the one in your diagram and would offer you very little in return for you efforts.

[Totallyout2lunch]

Thaks for the replies, I was thinking that it would be more work that it would gain, but still going through constructing ideas in my head.

Thanks.

[bionicbadger]

If you are worried about weight, then look for the lightweight MDF (it costs more, but weighs 1/3 less) or use something other than MDF.

Routing out a huge area like that is silly in my opinion.  It will take a while, make a huge mess and probably wont save you that much weight.  If you route out half the thinckness down to 3/8" on both sides you might save yourself 10-15 pounds.  Big deal.  

*sarcasm on*
Why not cut a big ass window in the side of your cabinet, cover it with lexan and you can show off your case modding skilz.  You could put lights and crud inside your case and people will ooh and ah.

[atog]

I had to route out the bottom of my mdf control panel to allow the joystick tops to protrude more so you could get a good grip.  

I found this out: routing MDF = BAD IDEA.  It seriously compromised the strength of the panel, the joysticks starting breaking loose every time.  If I could go back and do it all over I would have made the whole thing out of heavy duty plywood instead of MDF but it's too late now.

[Radical]

That looks like a frame with a thin outer layer on top except much more work.  Hmmm.

[Jakobud]

You are going to seriously decrease the stability of the wood if you just route out the sides of it.  I would recommend not to do something like that.  Oh, and you are not going to make the thing THAT much lighter.  Like if your cabinet ends up weighing 200 lbs, doing what you are talking about might take it down to 195 or something.  Not worth the trouble or the loss in stability you will get...

[Lilwolf]

or...

why not....

buy thinner MDF?  And reinforce it?

the time to route that is...well... a waste.