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Poll

What's the best type of screw to use with MDF?

drywall screws
11 (64.7%)
deck screws
4 (23.5%)
spax screws
1 (5.9%)
machine/sheet metal screws
0 (0%)
confirmat screws
1 (5.9%)

Total Members Voted: 17

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Author Topic: Best type of screw for MDF?  (Read 16464 times)

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jcroach

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Best type of screw for MDF?
« on: March 08, 2006, 11:23:07 am »
Ok, so I've read a lot of differing advice on the board about what type of screw to use with MDF.  I've even read some people only use glue. 

I know that people recommend against regular wood screws and instead recommend a straight-shanked, deep treaded screw.

What do people prefer?  What's given you good results?
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Timoe

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2006, 11:29:11 am »
You called it:

Straight Shanked Corse Thread.  Countersink both sides of the piece you screw through
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Luckydevil

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2006, 11:45:15 am »
Predrill and countersink the MDF, then use drywall screws with a small bead of gorilla glue on the wood.

You need to use glue (liquid nails, elmer's, gorilla, etc.). The drywall screws by themselves aren't anywhere near as strong as screws and glue.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2006, 11:48:39 am by Luckydevil »
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BobA

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2006, 11:49:48 am »
Drywall screws come in coarse and fine.  The coarse give a better bite and do not pull thru as easily.
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Havok

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2006, 12:34:22 pm »
Glue and clamp - no screws required...

 8)
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Mark70

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2006, 01:05:45 pm »
Depends on the design of your cabinet.

I built a frame for the lower portion of my cabinet.  Therefore I used wood screws since they're biting into 2x4 or 2x2 and just hanging the MDF off of the wood frame.  My side panels stick up past the wood frame, leaving the top nad marquee panels to hang between MDF sides.  Those joints I glued, and used wood screws, since it's the majority fastener I had going on the project.
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jcroach

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2006, 01:34:42 pm »
I just found this page: www.mdf-info.org  There's some good tips on there.
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Fozzy The Bear

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2006, 01:41:08 pm »
Quote from: jcroach on March 08, 2006, 11:23:07 am
What do people prefer?  What's given you good results?

Perfectly ordinary No8 or No10 wood screws work fine for me.... as long as you pre drill and countersink.  Of course backed up by weatherproof PVA wood glue or by a No Nails type wood glue.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
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eccs19

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2006, 02:32:59 pm »
Quote from: Havok on March 08, 2006, 12:34:22 pm
Glue and clamp - no screws required...

 8)

Basically what I did for my bartop.  Added a couple of brad nails for safe keeping.
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F1r3f1ght3r

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2006, 02:39:05 pm »
Staples and Glue or coarse thread drywall
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sWampy

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2006, 02:55:56 pm »
Biscuits and glue work best,  glue, dowels and brad nails are next best, then just about any screw with the correctly sized predrilled holes.
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nostrebor

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2006, 06:24:10 pm »
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mrjah

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2006, 03:20:47 pm »
I'm using biscuit joinery to assemble my MDF cabinet. 

The joints will probably be stronger than the material itself.  Score!
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miles2912

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Re: Best type of screw for MDF?
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2006, 04:41:24 pm »
Build a frame and screw and glue everything to the frame.  All of your structual problems go away and all you have to worry about is the weight.  :)

Don
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