Thread: Advice using Jigsaw

The only issue I can see with MDF is when you grout the tiles as the water based grout might cause issues but I am not sure. When these were all the rage they used plywood or masonite as bases. If you have a non water based grout, MDF might even be the best option.

The circle can be cut using a tramel to guide the jig saw. That is just a piece of masonite or MDF with a nail as centre and screwe to the router base. You will need to set up the radius from an edge as it is you cannot "plunge" the jig saw accurately in the board. Hope this makes sense.

Originally Posted by Pusser

The only issue I can see with MDF is when you grout the tiles as the water based grout might cause issues but I am not sure. When these were all the rage they used plywood or masonite as bases. If you have a non water based grout, MDF might even be the best option.

Should be no problem. A long, long time ago I made some tables and bench tops like that and I used ordinary chipboards without any problems.

Peter.

Thanks so much guys, this help was much appreciatted.

Yes, chipboard will be ok. I made one many years ago and it was about 15 years old and still in good condition when I last saw it. That was about 20 years ago - hey who said I'm old!!

Pusser's technique should work just fine. You'll get an even better result with his method but using a router.

One suggestion. Put the tiles around the edge first. Then tile the top. This is so the facing tiles (top) overlap the side tiles. Makes quite a difference to appearance and durability.

Good luck

Graeme