Cabinet materials. Whats best for the sides of a cabinet?

[Craig Pilecky]

Im finally going to have the use of a truck this weekend! So I can pick up the big 4 by 8 sheets ill need to make the sides of the cabinet out of.

My question is whats the best material for the job? Ive looked at 3/4" plywood, but fir is to rough and warped, and oak is about $35-45 a sheet. Which is out-of my price range.

I saw 3/4" particle board at Fleet Farm for about $12 a sheet. It seems to be the straightest of the material, and has a pretty good finish. Right now im planning ot use that for the side panels.

What do the rest of you recomend?

[Luxury]

I recommend MDF.  its nice and smooth - and only a little bit more that particleboard ($20 a sheet).  plus its very easy to work with.  just my suggestion.  

[2slk]

MDF all the way.

[Craig Pilecky]

Fleet doesn't seem to carry MDF, but I found another place that does, so ill go with that then.

Thanks.  

[neuromancer]

Unless it actually needs to withstand abuse, 1/2 inch MDF will be plenty strong enough.

It doesn't have that authentic look, though, but the finished cabinet would be about 30% lighter, if it makes a difference.

Bob

[Eddie Lukin]

I used 3/4 inch MDF for mine. Three 4x8 foot sheets will give you plenty of wood for the sides, front, and back. Plus you'll have a lot of scrap, and parts for things you really wouldn't think about like extra shelves and things like that. It's not SUPER heavy, it's pretty easy to cut, and it's reasonably priced.

[Homebrew]

FYI mdf sheets come in 49"x97" instead of 48"x96".  Not sure if it matters for you or not, but keep in mind its 1" larger in both directions than other types of wood sheets.

-Kevin

[neuromancer]

FYI mdf sheets come in 49"x97" instead of 48"x96".  Not sure if it matters for you or not, but keep in mind its 1" larger in both directions than other types of wood sheets.

-Kevin

Is it all that way? I could have sworn mine was 48x96.

Bob

[SirPoonga]

I saw 3/4" particle board at Fleet Farm for about $12 a sheet. It seems to be the straightest of the material, and has a pretty good finish. Right now im planning ot use that for the side panels.

What do the rest of you recomend?

Since you are obviously form the miswest:)  I got my mdf from menards for $13 per sheet.

[DeathMonk]

Since you are obviously form the miswest:)  I got my mdf from menards for $13 per sheet.

Hey!  i'm from the midwest and I don't have a "fleet farm" =P..


--Craig,

I used 3/4 inch MDF for everything.  around 10 bux a sheet at home depot..

[SirPoonga]

Hey!  i'm from the midwest and I don't have a "fleet farm" =P..

What, you have a farm fleet?

[DeathMonk]

Moo?

[schwefeljm]

Hey!  i'm from the midwest and I don't have a "fleet farm" =P..

What, you have a farm fleet?

Uh yeh


Actually, here in WI at least, we have a Fleet Farm and a Farm & Fleet. IIRC they are/were owned by competing brothers.

[SirPoonga]

Actually, here in WI at least, we have a Fleet Farm and a Farm & Fleet. IIRC they are/were owned by competing brothers.

I know that:)
I grew up in WI, currently in MN.

[DJ Gary-N]

Plus you can use a router on MDF. If you want to Recess something, or cut a groove. plywood splinters up.

[schwefeljm]

Actually, here in WI at least, we have a Fleet Farm and a Farm & Fleet. IIRC they are/were owned by competing brothers.

I know that:)
I grew up in WI, currently in MN.

I though you were trying to be a smart ass. (I would have done the same if I never heard of farm and fleet)

[Homebrew]

FYI mdf sheets come in 49"x97" instead of 48"x96".  Not sure if it matters for you or not, but keep in mind its 1" larger in both directions than other types of wood sheets.

-Kevin

Is it all that way? I could have sworn mine was 48x96.

Bob

I'm not positive it's all like that, but most of the posts i've seen on here seem to indicate that at least most sheets are.  I'm sure there are exceptions, but for the most part mdf sheets seem to be 1" larger each direction.  I've seen various speculations on why this is however.

-Kevin

[DeathMonk]

Actually, here in WI at least, we have a Fleet Farm and a Farm & Fleet. IIRC they are/were owned by competing brothers.

I know that:)
I grew up in WI, currently in MN.

None that I know of in Missouri..