Posted by Matt on February 12, 2002 at 18:45:28:
In Reply to: REQ: opinions about strength, workability, weight and pricing of Plywood, Particle Board, and MDF--what's best for my cab? NT posted by rmfx on February 12, 2002 at 01:01:33:
I am a cabinet maker, we use all 3 products, first off particle board (industrial board is what we use) gets a bad rap, I wouldn't use it for my MAME cabinet, but the problem with particle board is its used in the wrong places, as are alot of materials, it has great compression strength, this is not a problem, the problem stems when trying to grab a screw or disassemble something when its made of it, money says most of everyones kitchen cabinets are made of it, but hopefully nobody has any trouble there?? Drawers are a no-no out of particle board as it will not handle the wear of the screws when it stops when being pulled out. MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard, if your cabinets going to be painted head this way, bad news with this product is weight (about 96lbs per 3/4" 4 x 8) though there is a ultra-light version. and the other problem is that if screwing into the side edge, its as bad or worse than particle board as it WILL split, predrilling is marginal here as well, get some glue and nails or a process called pocket screwing works well, as for weight factor, I am in trouble here if it won't handle a monitor because most all painted cabinets are made of this, and I know theres ALOT of TV's setting on it. I can set on MDF shelves no problem, don't span wider than 36" and it will hold most anything, but don't try it if you have only ran screws through the side to support the shelf (edge problem again) run a cleat (aka 1x2) under the shelf and glue and screw it on your side for your shelf to set on. Plywood is the most durable and forgiving, and expensive, our pet peeve is with bad plywood, hit your lumberyard and ask for Luan, or a mahogany type (not true mahogany its expensive) or Baramoly, or obechee, these are all defect free mahogany clones, and they are not that expensive, no knots or voids, many times its cheaper than your old lumberyard pine plywood, if you can't find it have a shop nearby order it for you, its worth the wait. One note is if your gong to laminate, it should be on MDF or particleboard as that is what most the laminate manufactures specify, plywood moves to much, unless killer strength dictates its use. Also Melamine is industrial board (diffrent than run of the mill particle board, you can tell the diffrence by measuring its always 49" x 97", and much denser) that is already laminated on 1 side or 2 (about the same in cost) and its available in black, almond & white standard colors, and sells around 30 bucks a 4 x 8 sheet 3/4 thick, I have the option of any of these sheet goods, all in stock at our shop, the melamine is what I will use and laminate the outside afterwards to cover and screw holes. If the cabinets built adequately in construction you should be fine with any of your listed stock, but the particle board wil tend to draw moisture if not well painted (needs lots of prep work) and will become weak from this fact, and your edges risk crumbling. But check out melamine, its the best kept secret I feel. Matt