Cabinet material question

[syph007]

Hey,

I'm a long time lurker, and now I've fully got the 'fever'.  I've picked out controls, encoders and decided on cabinet style, and am now ready to buy some sheets of 4x8 and go to town.

Now I see that most poeple use 5/8 MDF, is this for stregth or cost reasons?  I went to the local home depot yesterday and they carry what I think is particle board covered in melamine.  It's even slightly cheaper than MDF, and 'feels' strong to me.   Now I noticed they only have white 5/8, 4x8 sheets in stock, but I believe they can get them in black.  So my first thought was hey, this seems like a sweet idea.. cheap 5/8 wood already covered on both sides in a nice hard material.

So my question is, what's the downside I'm  not seeing to useing this, and has anyone else?  I realize I'd have to maskingtape/jigsaw or router to cut, but I'm ok with that.

Thanks in advance, and I gotta say this hobby is addictive.  I'm already mentally planning cab 2.  Oh and my theory on the wife factor.. build before you marry.. then it's not open for debate

[bishmasterb]

I think 3/4" MDF is probably the most popular material. Particle board chips easier and is not quite as strong as MDF. With that said, plenty of authentic classic cabs used particle board. Plywood is also authentic but can be more difficult to work with...splinters and sanding are issues with it as well.

5/8" is strong enough, but may limit your t-molding options. 3/4" seems to be the most popular t-molding size.

Melamine covered particle board is a good option, just be careful when cutting as you don't want to chip the edges. Perhaps use a saw with a high tooth count.

Good luck.

[Mr Ironpants]

There have been several discussions on this topic.  As for me, my friend and I helped each other with our cabs.  He went with MDF, I went with Cabinet grade plywood.  All in all the building process wasn't that much different (his was a little easier to work with not counting the dust) but I gotta say when we went to move those bad boys I was sooooo glad I didn't use MDF.

But then again I have the upper body strength of a 4 year old girl so it could be just me.

[ahofle]

5/8" is strong enough, but may limit your t-molding options. 3/4" seems to be the most popular t-molding size.

I went with 5/8" MDF and didn't have any problems finding TMolding, FWIW.  It's also plenty strong.  Then again, that melamine stuff wasn't around when I built it a couple years ago (that I could find), or I might have tried it.  Would have definitely saved a lot of time and effort with the painting part.  I'd be interested to know how that stuff cuts as well.

[Xam]

I think 3/4" MDF is probably the most popular material. Particle board chips easier and is not quite as strong as MDF. With that said, plenty of authentic classic cabs used particle board. Plywood is also authentic but can be more difficult to work with...splinters and sanding are issues with it as well.

5/8" is strong enough, but may limit your t-molding options. 3/4" seems to be the most popular t-molding size.

Melamine covered particle board is a good option, just be careful when cutting as you don't want to chip the edges. Perhaps use a saw with a high tooth count.

Good luck.

One thing that can help with chipping...put masking tape over the cut line. It will dramatically reduce chipping, although it will not totally eliminate it.

Xam

[syph007]

Thanks for the tips.  I did buy a small chunk of the white melamine as a test.  I dont have a circular saw, but a test cut with a jigsaw did not produce any chipping.  Now I dont know if I'd want to do all the cutting with that or not.   I think the only concern i have left is how easy this stuff will scratch or scuff up while im doing the build, which normal plywood/mdf your not assembling your pieces that already have a finished surface.  I think I will try the melamine, worse case is I waste 70 bucks and some time... but hey thats part of the learning process right...

[Tahnok]

If you can't get it in black, then don't worry about scuffing it up. Sand any really bad areas and paint the white melamine black before final assembly.