I have read Ana's comments that drywall screws work well with MDF. Would wood screws work? Has anyone used wood screws with MDF? Ana? I'm building the Tryde media table, if that makes a difference. TIA.
I have read Ana's comments that drywall screws work well with MDF. Would wood screws work? Has anyone used wood screws with MDF? Ana? I'm building the Tryde media table, if that makes a difference. TIA.
I've done a fair bit of work with MDF. Wood screws are OK, but don't hold super well and can strip out easily, especially if you over-tighten.
They tend to do this because of their relatively fine threads. MDF is mostly just compressed sawdust + glue. The screw is biting into a substance that has a tendency to crumble and break, but is stronger when bonded together.
With a course thread screw (e.g. course drywall screws, construction screws, or particle board screws), you get more MDF in between each thread, which results in a better grip in the material.
For my shelves, I used #8 x 2" construction screws, pre-drilled and countersunk (1/8" straight drill bit - not tapered) + yellow glue. The joints ended up nice and strong and I didn't have a problem with splitting/stripping (4 puzzle bookcases later!)
Maureen
Thu, 11/11/2010 - 02:43
I have only worked with mdf once, and wood screws made it split!
Good luck!
Tsu Dho Nimh
Thu, 11/11/2010 - 04:32
Predrill all your holes and stay as far away from the ends as you can with the fasteners.
My only experience with it was the cabinet floor replacing, and it worked well with the pocket holes and screws.
solomonson
Thu, 11/11/2010 - 07:56
Ok then, there's my answer!
Thanks.
lostandconfused
Wed, 11/17/2010 - 05:05
solomonson said:
I've done a fair bit of work with MDF. Wood screws are OK, but don't hold super well and can strip out easily, especially if you over-tighten.
They tend to do this because of their relatively fine threads. MDF is mostly just compressed sawdust + glue. The screw is biting into a substance that has a tendency to crumble and break, but is stronger when bonded together.
With a course thread screw (e.g. course drywall screws, construction screws, or particle board screws), you get more MDF in between each thread, which results in a better grip in the material.
For my shelves, I used #8 x 2" construction screws, pre-drilled and countersunk (1/8" straight drill bit - not tapered) + yellow glue. The joints ended up nice and strong and I didn't have a problem with splitting/stripping (4 puzzle bookcases later!)