mdf

[sodapopinski]

I'm ordering my wood tomorow and i'm a little tied up over 5/8" or 3/4" mdf. I dont think strenght will be an issue, but i'm concered a little about the t-mould. If i can find some locally, great, but chances are it will be 3/4". I really dont want to regret the size i chose, so, what would you recomend? also would going with the 3/4" greatly increase the weight?

[Tailgunner]

I'm ordering my wood tomorow and i'm a little tied up over 5/8" or 3/4" mdf. I dont think strenght will be an issue, but i'm concered a little about the t-mould. If i can find some locally, great, but chances are it will be 3/4". I really dont want to regret the size i chose, so, what would you recomend? also would going with the 3/4" greatly increase the weight?

I'd personally go 3/4", but it's just a personal preference.  A cab built of 3/4" will definately be a good bit heavier than one of 5/8".  How much is hard to say, there's quite a weight difference between my uprights and all of them were built using 3/4" thick material.

[Wienerdog]

You're cab will be 20% heavier with 3/4".

[the3eyedblindman]

3/4 inch is sturdier and t moulding fits it better, use 3/4 inch 

[cholin]

From what I know, the majority of people use 3/4, so my suggestion, use it.

[Wienerdog]

20%...  sorry, I was just stating the obvious.  3/4" is 20% heavier than 5/8" but your cab has lots of weight from the monitor, computer, controls, etc.  I'd honestly consider 5/8, because 3/4" is just SOOOO heavy.  A full 3/4" sheet of MDF is around 90 to 100lbs.

[crashwg]

The density of the core is expressed as the weight of a one cubic foot (1'x1'x1') block of the material. Therefore, an MDF sheet using a 48# (pound) core, will weigh 102 pounds. (49"x97"x3/4"= 2-1/8 cubic feet)

A 5/8" sheet of the same 48# core would weigh 78 pounds (49"x97"x3/4"=1-5/8 cubic feet)

Lets say you use 3 sheets of mdf on your cab.  3/4" will make your cab weigh 306# and 5/8" will make it weigh 234#.

Only question that remains is which is more important to you, 72# or the beefyness/extra strength of 3/4".

 

[the3eyedblindman]

if you put casters on the cab, weight wont be that big of an issue.

[cholin]

Even with casters, 72 pounds is a big difference.

[Witchboard]

Since you're building with MDF, I would go 3/4".  If you were building with plywood, I would suggest 5/8".  Just my prefs.

[FractalWalk]

I used 5/8" MDF and it is plenty sturdy and T-molding is perfect. 

[elvis]

Another vote for 18mm.

[Xiaou2]

 The thicker the better.   Mdf can be damaged easily - esp if hit on the corners.   And,  screws can easy strip if there isnt  enough depth..  (use coarse thread drywall screws.  fine threads wont hold well at all)

  You can always easily make the cab come appart into 2 sections if you are worried about moving it 'out of house' later on. (top/bottom) 

 Most fighter/new-er  cabs weight a lot afaik.  Yet move farily easily by rocking them side to side. 



 

[DrewKaree]

The difference in weight is negligible, unless you have to lift/move it.

That's my theory on ANYTHING heavy...it's really NOT that heavy, unless you have to lift it. 

[cholin]

Reading around, Im guessing you should do a mix of both.  It will save you money from all 3/4, but cost you a little more if you were to use 5/8.  I think that because most people use 3/4, others follow in their tracks to assure that their cabinet is okay, where realistically, 5/8 should do the job the same.  I figure that if you use 3/4 on the places it needs the most, then you should be good.  For example:

BASE = 3/4
LOWER = 3/4
UPPER = 5/8
MONITOR = 3/4 reinforced
PANEL = either depending on plexiglass and router bits available.

The only thing I would say NEEDS to be 3/4 is the base, if you design the cabinet right.  Put a few small studs in the base, attach some casters, and youre fine.  Just make sure you use some small studs on the inside for screws to catch.  Better safe than sorry right?

[IMMark]

My choice would be for the 3/4"
It is 70 lbs heavier...your choice is that good or bad? 
3/4"..sturdier..but 5/8 sturdy enough..probably.
cost..3/4" a little more...but in the big picture of the whole project, the $ of mdf...isn't where the $ goes.
My biggest reason...as long as the T-mold will fit...3/4" is more universal in  cabinet building, if you want to cap ends, add some solid wood...all 1x will match up.  Gromets, hinges, lots of acces. are available for 3/4"....
That's IMHO...good luck

[Voodooray]

Hi Gang.
I'm a relative newby to mame however, i have been a carpenter / cabinet maker for 17 years.
In my humble opinion, anything that size needs to use the thickest material you can use. 18 mm MDF is perfect for this. Although thinner MDF looks just as solid it will twist and warp if stressed too far. Also, the more depth you have to screw into the sturdier the cabinet will be.
Hope that helped, if not i'll just stand in the corner and be quiet.

Voodoo Ray.
88 Acid Revival, Safe!

[cholin]

Good thing for carpenters eh   I learned a lesson.

[Daniel270]

The difference in weight is negligible, unless you have to lift/move it.

That's my theory on ANYTHING heavy...it's really NOT that heavy, unless you have to lift it.