MDF vs particle board drawers

[qwertyu]

I want to make a couple of drawers and dont want to see any screws. I can have either 19mm MDF or HMR particle board with the veneer I want. Which is preferable (unlikely to get wet but is the insurance of HMR worth it?)?

Will be joining them with dominos + glue - will this be strong enough? 5x30mm dominos suitable?

[KBs PensNmore]

You can use either, both as far as I know are moisture resistant. When you make the drawers, ensure that the sides go on the outside of the ends, so that the dominos are pulling against the sides, as in the picture below.
drawer sides.jpg
Kryn

[Midnight Man]

Drawers made from 19mm material will be quite "chunky" in comparison to most "kitchen" type drawers.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, and it'll come down to what you want to use the drawer for.

Given the general rule of the domino (or tenon) being 1/3rd of the material thickness, you might consider using 6mm dominos for this.

[Junkie]

What type of runners do you plan on using?

Pretty much all the sheet product we use is MR (MDF) or HMR (particle board). Saves any mix ups...

[qwertyu]

I'll be using those cheap ball bearing runners

Can only get it in 19mm, would be nice to get it in 17mm though but they didn't have them. will be getting it from allboard in hallam

My preference would be particle board purely because it is lighter if its ok.

[Junkie]

I'll be using those cheap ball bearing runners

Can only get it in 19mm, would be nice to get it in 17mm though but they didn't have them. will be getting it from allboard in hallam

My preference would be particle board purely because it is lighter if its ok.

Depending on where you are planning on fixing the runner to the drawer, you could add a few screws and hide them behind the runner...

Pity about the thickness as 19mm is overkill for drawers. Particle board is more than adequate... we use predominately 16mm board (for drawers) and I'd say that 90% of drawers made, are particle board.

[Albert]

Can I please ask why not consider solid timber such as pine? is it a cost thing or something else?

I have always use kiln dried pine for drawers... am I doing it wrong?

[Chris Parks]

I have made a lot of drawers for my workshop and used 12mm MDF to do so. The beauty of MDF is that it glues exceptionally well and end grain does nor exist so the ends glue really well. Build the drawer by gluing then put some dowels into the corners would be my suggestion or if the dowells are not to be seen dowell as you assemble but that requires more precision.

[Runningman]

I’ve recently built drawers out of 16mm particleboard and they are quite heavy. 4 sides and a bottom. Going to build another deeper one tonight. Used screws only as the veneer on the Bunnings p/b is too smooth for glueing, you’d have to remove the veneer first but too much trouble
Next set of drawers will be tried out of 12mm plywood to see if stronger, lighter but definitely more expensive.
Not much choice of cheap panel timbers in Australia as far as I can see.
DAR pine is slightly cheaper but they all warp and cup in the Queensland humidity


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