DonCamaro

Hey, what do you guys use to cut MDF and particle board of 3/4" size. Can I use a hand saw if I am patient? Thanks.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I do all of my cutting with a small circular saw and a skill saw. If you've got the skill to cut straight with a hand saw, go ahead and knock yourself out. I think I'd rather beg borrow or steal some power tools before I wasted the next 6 months of my life trying to cut a straight line with a hand saw.

Deemax

iTrader: (1)

MDF is pretty tough stuff. I guess you'll have to use whatever you've got, but I wouldnt even try cutting it by hand.

JohnnyIROC-Z

ICK! Get power tools. You'll be there forever if you try with a hand saw.

CAMp3RO

i've used a table saw and a jig saw. power tools are almost a must with this stuff. also, do not work with mdf unless you have a breather on. or at least some sort of mask. mdf is cured/processed/whatever with phameldahide, very bad to breathe.

bubbakutz

yeah, definatley go get some powertools......luckly my dad is a cabinet maker so his whole shop is full of power tools which means quick easy box building

DISTURBthePEACE

does anyone have a good actaul picture of MDF wood? Every time I tell my shop teacher to get me MDF he comes back with what is apperently 3/4 inch particle board.

bubbakutz

if no one else has a pic then i could snap a photo of a peice that my dad probably has layin around........basically it just looks like wood with no layers.....heavy.....dense.....and has some chunks in it.....

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

copy & paste this url:
http://iroc.fbody.com/box1.jpg

Notice how it's SMOOTH. It's not a buch of wood flakes glued together like particle board.

joezero

You should just go to home depot and pick up a small piece to show your teacher. This is about as close of a picture as I have of MDF. You can see in the the area in the red circle what it looks like when cut.

DonCamaro, don't even think of trying to build a box without some form of power tools. If push comes to shove you're better off going down to home depot and having them cut all the pieces for you. If you don't have any power tools you may want to check out harbor freight, they usually have some power tools pretty cheap.

Eric86TA

Your teacher is probably getting MDO which is commonly used in home construction for sub floors. Most construction people are familiar with it and not MDF.

89blackGTA

Like everyone else said, dont waste your time trying to cut everything with hand tools. And if you are going to make your box out of crappy P'Board you REALLY DONT want to use hand tools, that crap breaks off too easy. Also, when you go to look at wood, MDF almost looks like cardboard.

Brian

SinthetikIroc

iTrader: (1)

use power tools. now does your shop teacher make you pay for the wood he is getting you? if not thats probably why he is getting particle board as it is about 1/4 the price of mdf.

now. u can use handtools, but its not very logical. you will need to make jigs of all sorts to cut straight lines and you will need a fine tooth blade saw to cut smooth. which eqauls a **** load more time. can it be done yes, is it logical probably not. i can construct a box for a thirdgen in maybe an hour with power tools. *** knows how long it would take me with hand tools. probably a day.

so its an easy decision to make

get power tools

firebirdpl

definitly power tools a skill saw jig saw or circular saw are just fine. a table saw is best though, be careful though that stuff creates tons of sawdust

Xceleratemaro

evil lagh(mmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaa)end

like this???

ps dont make fun of me becouse of my ****y subs!@! im getting new one this weekand!

Xceleratemaro

you will be happy that you used mdf bord becouse it sounds real good take your time and make sure that the box is sealed

mine is one ci foot

novadk13

i just use a cordless circular saw works good but you would be better off buying a makita or porter cable saw they are about middle of the road in price. The best part of the cordless is that i can buy a full sheet of mdf and cut the majority of it in the parking lot, since most hardware stores charge you for them to cut it. Also use silicon to seal it up and counter sink your screws if you want to paint it or use vinyl.

Xceleratemaro

novadk13 ha ha thats what i did to

novadk13

work good right!!

Xceleratemaro

yea man..

Justins86bird

Yep, I'm covered in it from the box I made today. That sawdust is really fine powder, so it gets over everything. Use eye protection like goggles!

novadk13

have you ever used a router on it i covered my buddies whole garage in dust got his dads freshly wased is300 haha.