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Smooth straight cuts in MDF?
rhoelsch:
Ok, I need to buy something to cut my MDF (cp and cab), and was wondering who got great or poor results with the following tools:
1. Circular Saw- figure carbide-tipped with as many teeth as possible would do the trick...right?
2. Jig saw-- have a cheap B&D, but I had trouble getting thru plywood with it, and my line was all over the place...
3. Router- never used one; rather clueless about 'em and how well they might work
4. Anything else I haven't thought of...
Oh, and did I mention I'd like to do this rather cheaply? I'm concerned about getting a nice smooth cut first, but I also need to make sure my cuts will be straight! And before you ask, the power tools guy at Depot was pretty "out there"; not to mention he didn't know what MDF was :{
Thanks!
Distortion:
I did my entire thing with a jigsaw. I don't recommend this, but if you must, do what I did. Leave some extra room, then sand it down with a power sander and 40 grade sandpaper so that it's nice and straight. Worked pretty well for me.
dash213:
the best way would be with a router, you would not even have to sand!! just make sue u clamp a straight edge on the work piece before routing.
GearHead:
Go with a table saw with a carbide tipped blade that's designed to cut MDF. MDF is very different than wood or wood laminates and handles differently because of its composition, its density and its thermo dynamic properties. It'll create some fairly nasty dust & go through blades faster than wood too. See if you can find a local cabinet shop/kitchen counter shop that will cut things for you. Maybe not cheap but it will save you lots of frustration.
If there's no table saw available use a circular saw with the right blade. A 40 tooth, carbide tipped blade should be ok. Check the manufacturer's specs on the blade. You can buy long straight edges or saw guides to make straight cuts. How fast you make the cut will affect the edge too.
Jigsaws - avoid them if possible. If you had trouble with plywood you'll have more trouble with MDF. The blades are not meant for MDF and they tend to bend and warp when they get dull and heat up. Little blade and big cut - not a good combo.
A router? yikes no! You can finish an edge with a router but don't make long cuts with it. You'll end up burning up lots of bits and creating a lot of heat. Use a saw to cut, that's why they make 'em.
MDF contains urea formaldehyde so use a mask and cut the stuff in a well ventilated area.
GSXRMovistar:
I didn't have much in the way of power tools when i started my build, just a multi-function drill/saw combo. Completely useless for nice straight cuts, so i invested in a router as knew i it would be needed for various jobs.
I used the jigsaw to make the cuts, allowing 1-5mm outside my cut line as it was impossible to make a straight cut with this. Once cut i used a straight edge (anything long straight and stiff) clamped this along side my cut MDF and ran the router along it to get a straight finish. Had great results using this method and the router only cost me