Thread: Bendy mdf

Simplicity,
You don't say what you are intending to use this tube for but I doubt you'd get mdf to bend that well and in any event it's 'orrible bloody stuff - why not go to a good hobby store and get some ply - thickness ranges from 1/8" down to 1/64" - see here Wood from Horizon Hobby:


Edit - and you would not have to veneer it
Ian

I agree with Ian why use that crap when ply is so less obnoxious and easier to work with.
Mick

I think there is a bendable ply that might be better still, havent used it so don't really know much about it

Pete

I've used 'Bendy Ply once' about 12 years ago, but I don't think it'll take such a small diameter. However I agree that ply is better than MDF.

Austral plywood Try here Austral Plywoods - Products - Exterior. I copy and pasted a small amount from their PDF file. gives you their recommended minimum radius for their ply.

" The minimum recommended bending radii is 100mm for both 5mm Hoop faced bendy and 7mm for Plain Bendy"

Thanks for all the great feed back
I've been using MDF for a while.
It seems to cop quite a lot of flack
I've never had problems with it.
It's cheap it's flat
This was built around an mdf base both the top and the base.
But I will give ply a go
Try something new
Thanks again for your help

Originally Posted by Simplicity

It's cheap it's flat

Simplicity,
Agreed, but that's where it ends.

The stuff invariably produces a fine dust the minute you sand or cut it and it, and gets in everywhere, including your lungs, which I think is it's main drawback.

My God-son is in the building trade (he has several Science Degrees but that's a long story) and he reckons it's the next asbestos.

Anyway, that aside, the stuff is just messy.

Ian

I used to be blazé about MDF and back in 2002 I lost my sense of smell for 6 week while building the cupboards for a large desk from the the stuff. The surprising thing was that I built most of the desk outside in the open. What most people do not realise is how important the sense of smell is to taste and everything taste foul. Beer was undrinkable.

I worked with MDF for about 15 years and still use it very occasionally but pay for it with an itchy rash all over the torso that lasts for about a month after I finish using it.

Originally Posted by BobL

I used to be blazé about MDF and back in 2002 I lost my sense of smell for 6 week while building the cupboards for a large desk from the the stuff. The surprising thing was that I built most of the desk outside in the open. What most people do not realise is how important the sense of smell is to taste and everything taste foul. Beer was undrinkable.

I shall never touch MDF again!

That's some interesting thoughts
I've never had any off those problems.
But I do normally put a dusk mask on when cutting machining mdf
The next asbestos I hope not
I spent $4000 having it removed from a property I owned once
But ye I'm going to give ply a go with my next veneer project

Originally Posted by Simplicity

That's some interesting thoughts
I've never had any off those problems.
But I do normally put a dusk mask on when cutting machining mdf
The next asbestos I hope not
I spent $4000 having it removed from a property I owned once
But ye I'm going to give ply a go with my next veneer project

I suggest it had better be a respirator style that supplies and filters the air not one of those particle masks that people think protect them. The dust is very fine and damned dangerous and will linger in the air well after cutting or machining so to take the respirator off after cutting is a mistake, you need to keep wearing it at all times which is a pain. Don't be complacent, this stuff is hazardous in the truest sense of the word.

Originally Posted by Mini

I suggest it had better be a respirator style that supplies and filters the air not one of those particle masks that people think protect them. The dust is very fine and damned dangerous and will linger in the air well after cutting or machining so to take the respirator off after cutting is a mistake, you need to keep wearing it at all times which is a pain. Don't be complacent, this stuff is hazardous in the truest sense of the word.

I was speaking to a family medico who was a specialist in allergies and he said that those nose-mouth particle masks are not worth much and few people know how to wrk with them correctly. Allergens that affect nose and mouth can be almost as effective thru eyes and bare skin. What also happens is that users of these masks often take off their masks and continue working with their skin, hair and clothing covered in the allergic dust. A warm human body acts like a chimney and wafts of warm air funnel air upwards around the head. These slow warm currents carry the dust upwards into peoples' nose and mouth. He recommends wearing easily removed overalls that are removed and washed before taking off a used mask and also taking a shower as soon as the mask is removed.

I suggest it had better be a respirator style that supplies and filters the air not one of those particle masks that people think protect them. The dust is very fine and damned dangerous and will linger in the air well after cutting or machining so to take the respirator off after cutting is a mistake, you need to keep wearing it at all times which is a pain. Don't be complacent, this stuff is hazardous in the truest sense of the word. The best thing you can do is get good dust extraction as a primary measure then take secondary precautions after that is in place.