T molding question?

[Kronos]

going to start a new bartop project.. I have a ? about slot cutters.. what size should I but for use with 5/8 mdf..

[spacies]

Depends on the width of the locking fins, or fir tree (technical name) on the t-molding you are going to use.

Have a look at www.tmolding.com .

Below each picture they have the size slot that needs to be cut.

 

[Kronos]

ok.. I don't know that I have ever seen a 5/64th slot cutting blade... I do have a 1/16 slot cutting blade... Should I use 1/2 mdf for this or go with the thinker 3/4

[ScottS]

t-molding.com will be happy to sell you a 5/64" slot cutter in addition to any T-molding you happen to need. Your 1/16th inch cutter will be way to tight for molding that requires a 5/64" slot.

Personally, I wouldn't use 1/2" MDF for anything. Then again, I wouldn't use MDF for anything. In my area, 5/8th inch material is hard to come by so my tendency would be to use 3/4". My stock suggestion is to use plywood or MDO in preference to MDF.

[leapinlew]

I don't often disagree with Scott - but in this case I do.

I'd wager a 1/16" slot cutter will work fine for a 5/64" T-mold. It's only a 1/64" difference between the two. In fact, much of this t-molding calls for a 3/32" and it's recommended to use a 1/16" to get a tight fit. 

[Kronos]

I like the wait of 5/8 MDF.. I would like to try MDO but nobody sells that around me... and dont know if 5/8 ply will hold a good slot?

Thanks for theinfo Lew and scott.. I think I will try it with 5/8 and a 1/16 slot cutter.

[Kaytrim]

I suggest that you use 3/4" MDF for the sides and 1/2" for the CP with 1/4" plexi.  That way you can get the best selection for your t-molding.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[NiteWalker]

I had to go to a lumberyard for 5/8" MDF but it's what I use for control panels now. Works great. As for the slot cutter, if your intentions are to use 5/8" MDF and 1/8" plexi for the overlay then you'll need 3/4" t-molding, which uses a 1/16" slot cutter. The fit is very tight and works good. If you try to use a 1/16" cutter with t-molding that requires a 5/64" slot, the MDF will likely split when you try to insert the t-molding.

How come you don't like MDF Scott? It's not like it's particle board...

[ScottS]

How come you don't like MDF Scott? It's not like it's particle board...

Right: it's actually worse than particle board!

There are a number of things I dislike about MDF: it's extremely heavy and not especially rigid, it doesn't hold screws particularly well, it sucks up paint and wood glue like a sponge, it probably contains more toxic formaldehyde than PB or plywood. On the plus side, it's dirt cheap. And you can route complex profiles for non-structural applications. Cabinet doors and fireplace surrounds/mantels often take advantage of this; MAME cabinets not so much. Given that there are better materials out there, I don't see any reason to fool around with MDF...

[leapinlew]

How come you don't like MDF Scott? It's not like it's particle board...

On the plus side, it's dirt cheap.

Theres your answer for why most people are using MDF.