Main > Main Forum

Construction materials

<< < (2/2)

Mr. Bubblehead:
I just wondered if there was some secret advantage of using MDF that I didn't know about.  All my cabs are constructed of part board, but I reinforce them well and I also have a method of sealing the surfaces to make them perfectly smooth as well as moisture and chip-resistant.

Tailgunner:
Plywood is stronger, but it warps and delaminates when wet, and unless you're talking marine grade plywood it has voids in it. Marine grade plywood is significantly more expensive than MDF.

As to MDF versus particle board, MDF cuts and routes nicer, and needs minimal surface prep to finish. The cabinet making industry switched a long time ago to MDF for that reason.

The arcade cab manufacturers of the golden era were stuck with what they could get to build the cabs. Demand for the cabs was huge, and sourcing the materials for a several thousand cab production run ment they had to make do with what was available in sufficient quantities. 

Skadar:
I went with 3/4" birch plywood for the cabinet I'm building now.  I personally can't stand MDF.  I don't want to build with stuff that I can pull apart with my bare hands.

The 3/4" birch plywood that I am using costs $45 a sheet.  Money well spent in my opinion.

MameJunkie:
Tailgunner is right about the warping of the wood.  I have that problem with my cab.

javeryh:
I really don't like MDF.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page

Go to full version