Kirby’s Shed: 12. Addendum (for Ric)

[RodKirby]

Ceiling height is 8'-9" - to the bottom of the trusses. Nothing special - the builder made it as per code.

My donut DC adapter:

2 x 3/4" MDF laminated - Top to fit the OSS port, bottom to fit my Shopvac hose.

[TheRic]

Rod, thanks for the special addendum!!!

Did you just drill from both ends step / offset inside? Or did you smooth / taper it from one size to the other? Is the inside coated, or bare?

[LCHIEN]

my guess- drilled one, drilled the other, then glued.

[RodKirby]

my guess- drilled one, drilled the other, then glued.

CORRECT

Tip: Make sure you draw the outside circle before you drill the holes DAMHIKT

Both holes have a 1/4" roundover. Insides left bare - the forstners leave them very smooth.

[TheRic]

Rod got some MDF questions:

Why do you use MDF so much? Not knocking it just curious, is ease of use, uniformity, cost, access to a MDF Forrest, etc.

When you use MDF for a jig do you coat it? With? If not do you notice it wearing more on constant use areas?

The MDF drawers do they slide on each other or metal slides?

In your opinion what are the best MDF joints, why?

Anything to do / not to do you have learned in your years dealing with MDF?

[RodKirby]

From Ric:

Rod got some MDF questions:

Why do you use MDF so much? Not knocking it just curious, is ease of use, uniformity, cost, access to a MDF Forrest, etc.
All of the above - AND - in Oz, our plywood (other than Marine), is junk. It is very stable (indoors only), and routs, cuts, and finishes easily.

When you use MDF for a jig do you coat it? With? If not do you notice it wearing more on constant use areas?
At least one coat of water-based poly, multiple coats + wax on constant use areas - like the router tables.

The MDF drawers do they slide on each other or metal slides?
When waxed (I use paraffin), MDF on MDF slides OK. I only do it this way on drawers seldom used. Frequent use drawers have metal runners.

In your opinion what are the best MDF joints, why?
Rabbeted, glued and nailed - more gluing surface, easier assembly - and - I haven't ever had anything fall apart

Anything to do / not to do you have learned in your years dealing with MDF?
Screw pilot holes on edge need to be only "one size" smaller than the thread diameter - just enough for the screw to "grab", otherwise it will split the MDF - need to rely on the screw length for strength. For example: I would normally use a 1/8" pilot hole for #8 screws. On MDF edge I would use 9/64"