Posted by Jonathan the Red on February 14, 2002 at 13:01:55:
In Reply to: Screwing into MDF on the edge posted by Jonathan the Red on February 13, 2002 at 17:53:57:
Good info. Much appreciated.
SirPoonga, virtually all of my joints are done using pine 1x2 ledgers with screws driven through the faces of the two pieces of MDF being joined. (See my page for more details.) The four screws to hold the fixed panel in place are the sole exception. If I had it to do over again, I'd use the 1x2s there too, but I don't.
Matt, thanks very much for giving me the benefit of your experience. I'm glad to have so many options to choose from.
Munich, it's very reassuring to hear from someone else who drove screws into the MDF on the edge with good results. I'm sure I'll still be sweating as I drive the screws, but at least I know it's possible.
Here are a couple of websites I've found that discuss this problem:
Woodworkingtips.com : talks about (like Matt did) the importance of using straight-shanked screws as opposed to tapered screws. Also offers a very good idea: tightly clamp the piece of MDF that you're driving the screw into.
Plum creek (scroll down to "screws"). These guys suggest a pilot hole diameter of 90% and also talk about the importance of distance from the corner, especially for edge-driven screws. They also agree that wood screws = bad, while parallel thread (drywall or sheet metal) screws = good.
Thanks again. I love this site.