Thread: , anyone notice a massive bunnings MDF price increase?

Doesn’t appear to be particularly toxic if normal precautions re wood dust are taken.

https://www.gunnersens.com.au/images...wood%20MDF.pdf

Originally Posted by Lappa

Doesn’t appear to be particularly toxic if normal precautions re wood dust are taken.

https://www.gunnersens.com.au/images...wood%20MDF.pdf

"Exposure considered unlikely. An inhalation hazard is not anticipated unless cut, drilled or sanded with dust
generation, which may result in irritation of the nose and throat. If heated, over exposure to fumes may result in
irritation of the nose and throat, with nausea and headache. Formaldehyde is classified as a confirmed human
carcinogen (IARC Group 1) and respiratory sensitiser."

Doesn't sound great. Wood is bad enough, the added formaldehyde wouldn't make it any better - particularly since cutting/routing etc also generally heats it up as well as atomises it. But who knows. I'd personally prefer not to lay awake at night wondering if I have something brewing. At least with physical hazards like table saws etc you walk away knowing if you are 100% or not - no worrying after the fact.

I guess it goes back to a small label to let people know there are associated risks. It wasn't long ago that I didn't realise wood dust was a carcinogen - always assumed it was a natural product, people working with it for thousands of years etc.

Sorry to get this so off topic. Maybe the price has gone up to cover new warning labels haha, or offset future liabilities .

Cheers, Dom

Here’s one for untreated pine timber.

http://www.hyne.com.au/documents/Fea...Pine%20SDS.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions - MDF
I don't know if our mdf is made to a different standard to the European one. If it's the same, it doesn't sound too bad at all if you take normal precautions as any other wood dust. Maybe the formaldehyde is not as bad as it is hyped up to be according to the article.

Originally Posted by skot

I looked into developing a Particleboard Tree but I needed some other investors but no one would chip in and it fell through

Oh dear....

Originally Posted by skot

I looked into developing a Particleboard Tree but I needed some other investors but no one would chip in and it fell through

When the chips are down you have to pick up the pieces and press on.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Why is MDF in particular carcinogenic?

I went through a huge hoopla with Bunnings and one other local supplier a long while ago about the respective safety of their products. I make things on commish that are sold to kids by retailers (after painting by another artist). I use F0 board.

In order to get the OK from various people a certification was required - the stores sent me the suppliers info and I contacted them. It was all warranted 100% safe in every regard, with only an advice on using decent dust collection.

what other than wives tales do people actually know as facts?

I've highlighted what would be considered the key bit.

USE DECENT DUST COLLECTION. In the home shop, that would mean something better than the standard 2hp dusty connected with a bit of 4" flexible hose..

In regards to dust extraction re sawing, sanding, drilling etc:

MDF SDS - “mechanical extraction ventilation is recommended”
Untreated pine SDS -“Use appropriate local extraction ventilation”
BlueScope steel plate SDS “where a process may produce fumes or dust engineering controls may be necessary”

Not much difference really.

Originally Posted by DomAU

always assumed it was a natural product, people working with it for thousands of years etc.

The thing is, people are now using power tools that turn the wood chips into fine dust.

And it's also compounded by people using blunt tools on it (or bending a blade in the cut) causing the MDF to burn and letting off the toxic fumes from the glue that holds it all together...

Interesting, I'm seeing that 1200x595 f14 form ply at $9.98 a sheet. Quite tempting for cupboard carcasses in the shed.

Originally Posted by Tonto

why in gawds name are you buying anything at Bunnings END OF STORY> END OF JOURNEY.

I have said it before you will be on the short list to belly ache when there is only bugalugs to buy from. Dont get me started on my pet hate.

There would need to be a viable alternative to avoid buying at Bunnings. There isn't.

Originally Posted by Tonto

why in gawds name are you buying anything at Bunnings END OF STORY> END OF JOURNEY.

I have said it before you will be on the short list to belly ache when there is only bugalugs to buy from. Dont get me started on my pet hate.

Point me to a sheet goods supplier open on a sunday

Bunnings = weekend warrior = you are not inhaling this dust everyday nor every weekend, probaby once a month? and will you be cutting all day long? highly unlikely, is that going to kill you? the processed meat (bacon/sausage) we eat everyday is probably going to kill us first.

if you are a weekend warrior then yes you do tend to buy your building supplies from Bunnings, I stopped buying from Bunnings years ago, Bunnings NZ sells full size 16mm MDF at $42 NZD. thats the price you pay if you buy one sheet. I dont think anyone who is in manufacturing buys MDF from Bunnings. I dont, and I am only a part timer.