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Just about to build my UAII...but read about MDF splitting?

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ras2a:
Just been reading horror stories on the board about splitting problems when going into the edge of MDF.  Obviously with the Ultimate Arcade II, it's a bit hard to avoid as the entire thing is made from MDF! and many of the panels require screwing into the 'edge' of other panels  I assume that pilot holes, the same width as the screw shank being used should do the trick?

I suppose it's good to 'trial' anything on scrap pieces first too

Thanks a lot

Craig

Santoro:
It will not work screwing into the edge of MDF.  Period.    Don't do it. Really.

Seriously though, you need to use ledgers.  Basically ledgers are pine supports glued & screwed into the MDF, then you screw into those instead. See any construction photo on the board here and you will see ledgers.

[edit:  here's mine]

ras2a:
Ok I do see what you're saying, but why on earth would the creators of the UAII not point this out on the plans...surely this would mean they would have loads of disgruntled folk who had bought the plans and put it together 'exactly' as outlined only to be annoyed when they encoutered 'splitting' - because the plans tell you to screw into the edge of the MDF.  I noticed there on your cab (very nice btw) that you have 'ledgers' but looking at the 'top' panel on your cab I can't see how it's fixed to the side-panels ?  I've marked on your photo where the screws are supposed to go in (No: 1/2 - according to the plans).  No.3 - This is where I assume you are talking about screwing using the ledgers...



You must forgive me ignorance in woodworking

thanks a lot for your help - I really appreciate it

Craig

Santoro:
Not sure what they were thinking.  Hopefully someone who has built one will speak up.

I speak from experience - I tried using MDF for ledger when I first started out and it had zero holding power when I managed to get the screw in without splitting.

ras2a:

--- Quote from: Santoro on July 23, 2004, 10:54:37 am ---Not sure what they were thinking.  Hopefully someone who has built one will speak up.

I speak from experience - I tried using MDF for ledger when I first started out and it had zero holding power when I managed to get the screw in without splitting.

--- End quote ---

Oh sorry...I just replied - I may sound a little dense but using your photo can you describe precisely where I screw into for this to work...?..again I can't visualise how that panel at the very top (ie the top adjoining panel in between 1 & 2) is actuall fixed to each of the side panels...?  Have you used long screws to screw up through the underside of those ledgers into the underside of the top panel?

edit: Ok now I'm getting confused.  Just been speaking to my brother and he says he's experienced the splitting problems in the past with building things out of MDF before, but he maintains you can do this provided you do it right.  He says that using cabinet clamps to hold pieces together is required and then drilling through the surface of one into the edge of the other thereby creating pilot holes.  Now Im actually using 5/8" MDF and he has had a look at the UAII plans, he says the guage of screw specified in the instructions is what may be causing splitting for some folk.  He has bought some 3mm guage screws for my cab and says they will do the job no problem using my 16mm (5/8") MDF....and we wont get any splits.  He also said that the screws must not be regular wood screws (ie tapered) but that they must be of fixed shank guage so as not to act as a wedge (apparently this drives the fibers apart).  He also swears by using connector blocks on the inside to hold panels together...now to me these look insufficient and he concurs but assures me that they work just fine, as he has built numerous cabinets, wardrobes etc of different sizes! in the past and used them for strengthening...with no ill side-effects!

Craig

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