grsjax Posted November 29, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 29, 2013 Sitting in a turkey induced haze looking at a piece of mdf on my workbench and started thinking what it could be used for other than as a building board. My local HomeDepot has 1/8" MDF sheets and I was thinking it might be a good material for building forms. Couldn't find any references to it use for forms but thought I would put it out here for comment. avsjerome2003 1 Quote My advice and comments are always worth what you paid for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyUK Posted November 29, 2013 Share #2 Posted November 29, 2013 Hi. MDF is not very stable and if glued will pull apart very easy. The glue joint will hold but the fibres of the MDF will part. It's very poor to cut and will absorb moisture very quickly and swell. On the plus side it's cheep and easy to get hold off. Been there used it and I put it down to expearance learnt. So for me it's a no no. But others may have had better expearance's. it's brill for making Jigs. Regards Antony. Quote Best advice ever given to me."If you don't know ..Just ask. Completed Mayflower Completed Fun build Tail boat Tailboat Completed Build Chinese Junk Chinese Pirate Junk Completed scratch built Korean Turtle ship 1/32 Turtle ship Completed Santa Lucia Sicilian Cargo Boat 1/30 scale Santa Lucia On hold. Bounty Occre 1/45 Completed HMS Victory by DeAgostini modelspace. DeAgostini Victory Cross Section Completed H.M.S. Victory X section by Coral. HMS Victory cross section Completed The Black Pearl fun build Black Queen Completed A large scale Victory cross section 1/36 Victory Cross Section Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudomekh Posted November 29, 2013 Share #3 Posted November 29, 2013 I did .. MDF frames began to build three years ago ... the spacing of tree filled ... there is nothing dangerous in this material do not see if it is used partially. puckotred, SailorGreg, NMBROOK and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Ensign Posted November 29, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 29, 2013 The false keel and bulkheads on my Amati Pegasus kit were of mdf. I much prefer it to the alternative use of plywood for these parts. No problem in gluing it and it cleans up quite nicely. B.E. ken thomson and realworkingsailor 2 Quote Current Build: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-164-scale Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ finished 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ finished HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sudomekh Posted November 29, 2013 Share #5 Posted November 29, 2013 B.E. Hi! I fully support))) avsjerome2003 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realworkingsailor Posted November 29, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 29, 2013 The false keel and bulkheads on my Amati Pegasus kit were of mdf. I much prefer it to the alternative use of plywood for these parts. No problem in gluing it and it cleans up quite nicely. B.E. And no warping either! These guys: http://www.imaginethatlaserart.com/ , make a full line of laser cut architectural and railway models out of mdf. Amazingly well done. Andy Quote Quando Omni Flunkus, Moritati Current Build: USF Confederacy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Ensign Posted November 29, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 29, 2013 mdf is Medium Density fibreboard, universally known as mdf. B.E. WackoWolf 1 Quote Current Build: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-164-scale Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ finished 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ finished HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMBROOK Posted November 29, 2013 Share #8 Posted November 29, 2013 (edited) I don't see any problem myself,as it is dimensionally stable providing you don't get it wet.There are however moisture resistant versions on the market now. Kind Regards Nigel Edited November 29, 2013 by NMBROOK Quote Currently working on Royal Caroline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted November 30, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 30, 2013 Isn't Amati or Victory Models using MDF for bulkheads? I also thought I read about another kit manufacturer using it also. Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wefalck Posted November 30, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 30, 2013 MDF is extensively used these days in the furniture industry and by architectural model makers. I am using it for the bread-and-butter construction of a hull. Sanded and let in with quick-sanding filler it actually gives a nice surface and I have used it as workbench back and for similar applications. I quite like the material as it has no 'direction' and doesn't splinter like plywood when sawn. Also, it doesn't warp when used properly, i.e. access of humidity from only one side. wefalck Quote wefalck panta rhei - Everything is in flux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael mott Posted December 1, 2013 Share #11 Posted December 1, 2013 B.E. Hi! I fully support))) Attached Thumbnails Using the clipper to ship fish I like it. I have used a lot of MDF in displays and exhibits. It is a good material for jigs and as a smooth flat surface I use it all the time for zero clearance inserts on my tablesaw. Michael Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normanh Posted December 1, 2013 Share #12 Posted December 1, 2013 MDF is pretty good a material to work with and widely used in the joinery trade for all sorts of furniture and panelling. I come across it widely in my job. Several people have said to me that they prefer the water resistant version which is universally coloured a pale green and takes a finer finish when sanded ready for painting. The cost of goint to water resistant is just a few pounds per 8 by 4 foot sheet, Its widely available from 6mm ( 1/4 inch) to 25mm (1 inch nominal) but beware its very heavy in full sheet sizes. Norman Quote Norman Current build Trumpeter Arizona 1:200 with White Ensign PE and a Nautilus Wooden Deck. Built Caldercraft Convulsion, HM Brig Badger and HMS Snake. Awaiting - Zvelda HMS Dreadnought planning to get the Pontos Deck and PE Upgrades, Panart 1:23 Gun deck model and couple of the cannon kits Manatu - French siege mortar, and American coastal cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trippwj Posted December 1, 2013 Share #13 Posted December 1, 2013 I'm guessing this is what us older folks knew as particle board? WackoWolf 1 Quote WayneNeither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.Epictetus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted December 1, 2013 Share #14 Posted December 1, 2013 Wayne, Nope....MDF is usually a brown, smooth and looks like what we knew as Masonite. Might be the same stuff. https://www.google.com/search?q=particle+board&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=86GbUqKrH6q5igLJ7YGQBg&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=1348&bih=742#q=mdf&tbm=isch Particle board is wood color, and you can see the chunks of wood. https://www.google.com/search?q=particle+board&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=86GbUqKrH6q5igLJ7YGQBg&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQsAQ&biw=1348&bih=742 Similar but different. WackoWolf and trippwj 2 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normanh Posted December 2, 2013 Share #15 Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) Particleboard in the Uk is commonly known as chipboard and is widely used as melamine faced panels for furniture, when wet it will turn into something like soggy weetabix or cornflakes. Another common material is Hardboard usually as 1/8 or 3 mm thick dark brown smooth sided on one side and textured on the other, this is pretty useless unless its for simple backing boards in picture frames etc its just too soft for anything structural. In Europe and the UK MDF is commonly available in 3 grades - light brown is a standard grade. Green is moisture resistant, Pink is a fire resistant grade. All are very common in the joinery trade in the UK and subject to veneering and CNC processing. Norman Edited December 2, 2013 by normanh Quote Norman Current build Trumpeter Arizona 1:200 with White Ensign PE and a Nautilus Wooden Deck. Built Caldercraft Convulsion, HM Brig Badger and HMS Snake. Awaiting - Zvelda HMS Dreadnought planning to get the Pontos Deck and PE Upgrades, Panart 1:23 Gun deck model and couple of the cannon kits Manatu - French siege mortar, and American coastal cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted December 3, 2013 Share #16 Posted December 3, 2013 Ah... indeed, two countries separated by a common language, Norman. WackoWolf 1 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normanh Posted December 3, 2013 Share #17 Posted December 3, 2013 Particleboard by definition is chipboard - not much good in modelling Norman Quote Norman Current build Trumpeter Arizona 1:200 with White Ensign PE and a Nautilus Wooden Deck. Built Caldercraft Convulsion, HM Brig Badger and HMS Snake. Awaiting - Zvelda HMS Dreadnought planning to get the Pontos Deck and PE Upgrades, Panart 1:23 Gun deck model and couple of the cannon kits Manatu - French siege mortar, and American coastal cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor1234567890 Posted December 17, 2013 Share #18 Posted December 17, 2013 B.E. Hi! I fully support))) What scale is this Ariel built to? Is there a build log somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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