Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: fablog on November 04, 2015, 09:57:23 pm

Title: MDF cracked
Post by: fablog on November 04, 2015, 09:57:23 pm

My CP had a little accident today. It felt down and here the result. What do you think? Is it bad? It doesn't seems weak but I don't know how the MDF will react with years.

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: edekoning on November 05, 2015, 08:51:05 am

Redo! MDF is cheap, and the CP still looks to be in its initial stages, so hardly any time lost.

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: johnrt on November 05, 2015, 10:24:29 am

Yes, redo it!

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: fablog on November 05, 2015, 11:07:01 am

It's laminated and cut with an angle at one side. It will take me time to do it again what I don't have enough lately. Do you think it's that bad?

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: n3wt0n on November 06, 2015, 07:06:13 am

If the corner isn't a corner that is going to see a lot of abuse or weight put on it I would squeeze some glue in there and clamp it shut for a day. Sand off the glue that oozes out and then rock on. MDF is just glue and sawdust anyway isn't it?  :lol

If you have damaged the laminate or it is a weight loaded corner then I agree with the others, you should probably remake the panel.

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: fablog on November 06, 2015, 08:20:16 am

I'll try your solution n3wt0n because this corner won't receive any weight. Moreoever, I will put a T-molding a this place. I hope the cracked MDF won't be damaged more with the T-slot cutter.

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: n3wt0n on November 07, 2015, 04:48:18 am

Good luck! I imagine cutting the t-slot to go fine as long as the glue is dry. Please post back about how it goes down. 

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: fablog on November 08, 2015, 06:32:09 pm

Do you have a method to inject wood glue inside the MDF? Do I need to drill a little hole for that?

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: johnrt on November 09, 2015, 05:23:03 am

Quote from: fablog on November 08, 2015, 06:32:09 pm

Do you have a method to inject wood glue inside the MDF? Do I need to drill a little hole for that?

Used compressed air to drive the glue into the cracks.

Title: Re: MDF cracked
Post by: n3wt0n on November 09, 2015, 06:15:40 am

Using Johnrts air suggestion would probably work fine but I would just hold the glue bottle tightly up against the MDF and give it a good squeeze in a couple spots. Glue will go in and then more glue will push the glue deeper. Wipe off the excess before you clamp and then wipe off what comes out after you clamp. Squeezing the crack shut when clamping will likely squeeze most of the glue out because you really only want a very thin layer.