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[POLL] - MDF or Plywood
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vidmouse:
I was surprised that MDF wasn't MORE popular, the
way some folks talk about it.

Then again, I hated the dust on mine (geez, it's STILL around
my workshop) from when I built mine.
brandon:
does MDF have any of the moisture problems that particle board does?  Granted, your cabinet isnt going to get wet...  but.. just curious. 
ChadTower:

Much less but it is still susceptible to being soaked.  All wood is to one degree or another, even hardwoods.
Zebidee:
I just restored a small retro cabinet that had been left in the rain for several months.  All the external MDF had to be ripped out and replaced, and I had to re-seal any internal MDF with PVA glue (mixed in water to create a 'paint' that would soak in).



By comparison, all the external plywood w/ woodgrain finish (you know, that 70's-80's stuff, not the laminate) was still in good, sturdy condition, just needing a lot of elbow grease for sanding/filling/sanding/painting/sanding/refinishing  :)

Sooooo .... a good hardwood plywood is 'water resistant' and will only really absorb moisture if it is left soaked in water.  However, even modern MDF will still absorb moisture from rain like a sponge.  MDF is really just glorified cardboard.
theCoder:
When I first started in this hobby, I read about all the issues associated with MDF.  Nasty, unhealthy, hard to remove dust;  Heavy;  Won't hold screws; Expensive. 

Call me old school, maybe even naive, but I've only worked with plywood.  As shardian points out, it is also good to recycle an old cab (my 1st and 4th/current are referbs).  My 2nd & 3rd were made from 3/4", 10 ply cabinet grade plywood.

Disadvantages:  Rough surface - dealt with extra coat of primer; splinters & hollow spots when rounding over edges - dealt with watered down wood putty.

Advantages:  Cheaper, lighter, holds screws, structurally strong, wood grain finish possibilities.

For what it's worth, I prefer plywood.
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