Gluing MDF

[mackmack]

I have been reading another thread in regards to how best use screws to attach to MDF. That thread answered most of my questions, but I wanted to get everyone's opinion on this. I plan doing a lot of mdf and it looked like it might make things easier for me.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=1644

I am using pretty small screws and I couldn't think of any other way to get the glue in their with the screws then this. Is this a good purchase to shoot some titebond in there before I use the screws? Thanks.

[LarryG]

Are you saying you intend to inject some glue into the screw hole, before driving the screw home? If so ... why?

If that's not what you're asking, I don't understand your question (although I may just be being thick).

[LCHIEN]

I have been reading another thread in regards to how best use screws to attach to MDF. That thread answered most of my questions, but I wanted to get everyone's opinion on this. I plan doing a lot of mdf and it looked like it might make things easier for me.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=1644

I am using pretty small screws and I couldn't think of any other way to get the glue in their with the screws then this. Is this a good purchase to shoot some titebond in there before I use the screws? Thanks.

To get maximum strength the glue should be in the joint area where the two pieces contact each other. This means spread it onto those surfaces fully before making the joint and securing with screws, if used, or clamps, if not fasteners for temporary holding are used. Glue in the screw holes won't improve the joint, it might make the screws a little harder to get out, but maybe not even that.

The tough thing about gluing MDF is that the end surface will soak up a lot of glue leaving the joint possibly starved. You might give the ends a extra thin coat of glue and allow to dry before making the final glue joint. Some experimentation would be in order before committing to the prime item...

[mackmack]

Sorry maybe I misunderstood. I am just trying to connect a hinge from one piece of MDF to the other. No joints or anything. I didn't want the screws to fall out as they have a tendency with MDF not to grab and stay put, particularly when using smaller screws.

So that's why I was thinking that the titebond would bond and form around the screw to offer more grab then just the screw itself. Am I totally wrong in assuming that then?

[cabinetman]

It sounds like you have a hinge that you want to screw to one piece of MDF and the other side of the hinge goes to another piece of MDF. If that is the case use coarse thread screws, drill a small pilot hole and bump screw in slowly when it starts to pull up. The more you remove and reinstall the screws, the more the hole fails. If you need to fix an oversized hole, stick in a wood tooth pick or two, and break off flush. Then reinstall the screw.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[pierhogunn]

this may be overkill for your application, but if this is a critical connection that you don't want failing, you could over drill and dowel the holes so that you are attaching to hardwood instead of MDF

[Bulkley]

Are your hinges big enough? Do you have enough? I screw hinges to MDF frequently without a problem. The issue is weight and stress. For a small cabinet door, two hinges are enough, but I'm making some with glass and will use three hinges each.

[David Coleman]

The tough thing about gluing MDF is that the end surface will soak up a lot of glue leaving the joint possibly starved. You might give the ends a extra thin coat of glue and allow to dry before making the final glue joint. Some experimentation would be in order before committing to the prime item...

I've read where some folks wipe the joint with a damp rag before applying glue for this very reason.