Anydbody any thoughts on the relative quality of the 2 products. I'm looking for an 18mm sheet of Oak finished Plywood for a cabinet carpentry job... having problems finding it local. A local timber yard has suggested anything above 8mm is most likely mdf based now-a-days as apposed to plywood. Is an Oak veneer 15 or 18mm MDF board as good a mterial to work with as an equivalent plywood? Thanks for the advice Jason
|
 |
 Jason, welcome to the forum. It would be really good if you could fill in a few details on your Profile so we have an idea of who we are "talking" to. Additionally, questions such as this can be answered more easily if we know where you live. I know, for instance, of a local supplier of specialist plywoods who could undoubtedly supply 18mm oak-face ply. My own personal bias in this area is to avoid MDF like the plague! I loath and detest it, I think it could be dangerous. I'm scared of it, and think of it as a product alien to woodwork given its artificiallity. Whilst ply is a far from perfect product, I would always choose it over MDF. If you are in East Anglia I will let you know where to find that supplier I mentioned. Mike
|
|
 Jason, Veneered plywood has veneer on one side only, veneered m.d.f. has veneer on both sides,, I prefer the m.d.f. it is much better to work with and will not splinter when cut across the grain, and bein veneered on both sides it is more stable. derek.
|
|
 Hi Jason I was told to use Oak veneered block board as my project was large 6ft x 3ft a table top. A large piece of ply might try to warp. I also wouldn't use MDF sorry to confuse you further. Good luck ! P J
|
|
|
|
|
My experience of MDF is unless you support a lot it sages badly. And I've read you lot cursing it on your blades. I supposed it's OK for vertical not horizontal jobs. I would just prefer not to now if it was given to me I'd use it but i wouldn't buy it. P J
|
|
PJ, But, the majority of furniture is made from m.d.f.these days so they can't all be wrong, and if used for a table, then stretchers are used for support no matter what timber arrangement you use, cutting and moulding is only done with tct tools. Blockboard is a lovey material to use but it is very scarce and a job to get hold of, takes me back to 1962 that does, nothing else was used for worktops etc. Derek.
|
|
Derek, I got my blockboard here in Birmingham approx 4 years ago I forget the supplier I'd definitely use it again. I've resized the table top pic now, it's right next to the radiator and on movement. The Other thing is the MDF dust!!! P J
|
|
 I wouldnt use veneered plywood as the ply used is usually the cheap far eastern imported stuff, and generally the ply is of low quality. Then you have a choice of veneered blockboard or veneered MDF. If you have moisture problems to deal with, then use the blockboard, but blockboard isnt widely available and this pushes the price of it up.
I would use MDF myself, as its easy to work, it is very stable and it is cost efficient.
Oh and dont be tempted by veneered chipboard as it really is rubbish.
Al
|
|
Al, Thanks for a bit more common sense. derek.
|
|
I don't know how much it costs these days but if i was making something in Oak I wouldn't go for cheepness. PS I didn't know Blockboard was hard to get hold of. P J
|
|
_(90_x_120).gif) Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It often comes down to cost, although it sometimes depends on where the finished product is going. If it is a damp enviroment such as an indoor pool the it would not be mdf in my opinion. We had a client who insisted that only solid oak was correct for the carcases to a kitchen and a separate boot room, but then they had the funds to do it. The cost of veneering onto a really good quality ply would, I suspect, equal the cost of using solid. The biggest benefit of using veneered boards is of course the minimal movement in service. Hope this is of some use to you.
|
|
Paul, that's a nice looking table! I like a chunky bit of furniture now and again. What else have you got hidden away and not in your gallery? Jason, et al, As for blockboard........yep, lovely stuff. Drawing boards are made from it, and are strong and stable. I reckon it might be a bit pricey with oak veneer on it though. I'm always amazed how little you save using good quality veneers instead of solid timber. If someone else is paying for this, why not suggest that they spend an extra few pounds and have a first-rate job using solid timber? If it is for you.....go on! You know you want to do it properly! Mike
|
|
Couldn't aggree more far better job, and the finish is easier and better. Derek.
|
|
