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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Ldsfunaz on October 04, 2005, 04:26:09 pm

Title: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Ldsfunaz on October 04, 2005, 04:26:09 pm: well, I about to build my CP, and i wanted it 5/8" with lexan on top to make it fit my 3/4" t-moulding.

But i couldn't find any 5/8" MDF anywhere in NJ, so i bought a 2'by4' 3/4 inch and have decided to route out 1/8 inch where the top will overhang the box as well as where it touches the box...here is my poor illustrations...Please let me know if you see any problems with this method??
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: SteveJ34 on October 04, 2005, 04:57:42 pm: Looks like a solution to me.

Only thing I can think of that might be an issue is if you were planning to hinge the top along the front edge of the CP box....might need to make some adjustments for that.

Otherwise, seems to be sound southern ingenuity to me.

Steve
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Chris on October 04, 2005, 04:58:50 pm: Your nuts may not fit on the bottoms of the buttons, and your joystick shafts may end up being to short.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Stingray on October 04, 2005, 05:04:14 pm: Quote from: Chris on October 04, 2005, 04:58:50 pm
Your nuts may not fit on the bottoms of the buttons, and your joystick shafts may end up being to short.

I dare you to post this in Everything Else. ;)

-S
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Ldsfunaz on October 04, 2005, 05:51:10 pm: yes, but like others i was also planning on routing the bottom, where all the buttons and sticks will be.,

i was thinking there may be a problem with the hinge, ill have to test it out....
im planning on using euro hinges
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: pmc on October 04, 2005, 09:07:06 pm: I couldn't find 5/8" MDF either (a carpenter freind implied to me that they may not even make it anymore). My local Home Depot (MA) doesn't carry anything in 5/8. But I did find 5/8 particle board at Lowes. You might save yourself some router time by looking at Lowes or another lumber yard.

-pmc
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: wintermute on October 04, 2005, 11:24:03 pm: I had to have a lumber yard special order me my 5/8 MDF. It only took a few days to get in though. However a 4x8 sheet was $40. If you really want 5/8 you might try calling some lumber yards near you.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Ldsfunaz on October 05, 2005, 12:04:37 am: thanks for the advice, but my main concern is that I have basically given up on the 5/8" stuff..

I am mainly asking if you guys think that setup would work.

thanks so much

mike
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: mrjah on October 05, 2005, 12:50:30 am: Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm running into the same availability problem. Can MDF be planed? Can I get 3/4" sheet of it, cut it into two 2-foot wide pieces, run each through a planer that accepts pieces of such a width, take them down to 5/8", and then end glue them back together to recover a 4-foot wide piece?

I'm probably finishing the thing with countertop laminate, so the glue seam wouldn't be a big deal aesthetically.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Ldsfunaz on October 05, 2005, 03:17:29 am: Quote from: mrjah on October 05, 2005, 12:50:30 am
Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm running into the same availability problem.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: whammoed on October 05, 2005, 10:30:30 am: I think you will be fine. I have routed rabbets into mdf before and it comes out great.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Elfman on October 05, 2005, 02:09:05 pm: I used 3/4 on my whole cab, but made my CP using 5/8 particle board. It was just as easy to work with an feels just as sturdy. With the 1/8 lexan on top and t-molding, it looks like 3/4 to me :-)
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: pmc on October 05, 2005, 02:20:23 pm: Alternately, I suppose you could make up 5/8" by laminating several other products together (1/2+1/8 or 1/4+1/4+1/8 or whatever). Or use 1/4" lexan on top of 1/2" MDF/plywood/particle board.

I have a friend who made something out of 3/4" or 1" Lexan sheets. Very expensive stuff, but you could find scraps for cheaper I suppose. He suggested to me that I build an entire CP surface out of the stuff.

A 4x2' 5/8" particle board sheet cost me less than $6 if I remember correctly. Cheaper than MDF and in-stock too.

I'm not helping. Am I?

-pmc
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Ldsfunaz on October 05, 2005, 02:55:34 pm: see the thing is, i don't really trust particle board.

so i was hoping this idea would work.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: Hoopz on October 05, 2005, 02:57:51 pm: I know you said you wanted to go this route, but you may be able to easily fine 5/8" pine. Lowes carries it and Home Depot may also.

Just another alternative that may be easier in the long run than routing for each button/joy.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: nostrebor on October 05, 2005, 06:07:11 pm: 1. Your soultion looks great, and will be easy to do. Just please work out the hinge details first.

2. 5/8" MDF is readily available here at the big box stores, cheaper than 3/4". Must be a regional thing???
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: DrewKaree on October 06, 2005, 12:52:57 am: Quote from: Stingray on October 04, 2005, 05:04:14 pm
Quote from: Chris on October 04, 2005, 04:58:50 pm
Your nuts may not fit on the bottoms of the buttons, and your joystick shafts may end up being to short.

I dare you to post this in Everything Else. ;)

-S

Well, since he's chicken, I'll make the trip instead ;D

Sounds like he's got more problems than finding the right dimensions for his wood.

(go ahead, run with it! ;D )

Look at the plywood in your area. Same thing by me for Home Depot's, but Menards carries both. At HD, they've only got plywood in that thickness, and the MDF only comes in ³/₄". It may be regional, but I bet it's just what supplier they buy from.

Quote from: mrjah on October 05, 2005, 12:50:30 am
Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm running into the same availability problem. Can MDF be planed? Can I get 3/4" sheet of it, cut it into two 2-foot wide pieces, run each through a planer that accepts pieces of such a width, take them down to 5/8", and then end glue them back together to recover a 4-foot wide piece?

I'm probably finishing the thing with countertop laminate, so the glue seam wouldn't be a big deal aesthetically.

GOOD LORD! :o

It's MDF, screw going through all THAT hassle! Just modify your friggen plans or figure out something else. The amount of dust you're going to create is enough to make me think you're trying to slowly, ever so slowly, commit sooey-side or something ;)

Quote from: Ldsfunaz on October 05, 2005, 02:55:34 pm

at least no one pointed out blatant problems, so that's a good sign that it just may work

ummmmmm

Quote from: Ldsfunaz on October 05, 2005, 02:55:34 pm

I know its a lot of routing, and I'm terrible at it,

blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem blatant problem

Find yourself a sawboard or something before you attempt this, or look at plywood.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: mrjah on October 06, 2005, 01:19:31 am: Quote
ooh MrJah, first 2 posts, in 2 different threads of mine....looks like i got a stallkkerrrrr......

Didn't realize they were both yours. Lemme see if I can hijack both of them.

Forget that earlier question about cutting and planing down to 5/8". I just redesigned my panel and cabinet to use the 3/4" MDF available at my local big box. Got the panels, got the laminate, got the clear monitor/marquee stuff, and got it all back here into the shop.

Tomorrow the fun begins!

I don't completely trust the MDF, though. It's nice and heavy and makes a satisfying thud when you drop it on your foot, but it shreds permanently when damaged, which is vaguely reminiscent of the particle board I avoided. Looks like I'll be examining corner protection options in the near future.
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: pmc on October 06, 2005, 12:45:48 pm: Quote from: nostrebor on October 05, 2005, 06:07:11 pm
2. 5/8" MDF is readily available here at the big box stores, cheaper than 3/4". Must be a regional thing???

Out of curiosity, where are you located? I'm in MA where 4x8 sheets of 5/8" MDF are not to be found in the typical places.

-pmc
Title: Re: Can't find 5/8 MDF, I think this will work!
Post by: nostrebor on October 06, 2005, 04:12:15 pm: Quote from: pmc on October 06, 2005, 12:45:48 pm
Quote from: nostrebor on October 05, 2005, 06:07:11 pm
2. 5/8" MDF is readily available here at the big box stores, cheaper than 3/4". Must be a regional thing???

Out of curiosity, where are you located? I'm in MA where 4x8 sheets of 5/8" MDF are not to be found in the typical places.

-pmc

Springfield, MO