Advice needed on gluing big mdf panel

Good morning,

I need to laminate together 2 sheets of MDF (I'd prefer chipboard but can't find uncoated one of my size).
Dimensions are 1600x1600x18 to produce 1600x1600x36. I will have to buy 2 oversized sheets for that.
The critical thing is to get glue up as flat as a table top.
I am thinking about epoxy as my favorite titebond will introduce too much moisture.
I'd appreciate any advice on glue, clamping etc. I can actually use brad nails. Any suggestions how many nails per meter would be sufficient?
Thank you in advance

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kolosom1

Good morning,

I need to laminate together 2 sheets of MDF (I'd prefer chipboard but can't find uncoated one of my size).
Dimensions are 1600x1600x18 to produce 1600x1600x36. I will have to buy 2 oversized sheets for that.
The critical thing is to get glue up as flat as a table top.
I am thinking about epoxy as my favorite titebond will introduce too much moisture.
I'd appreciate any advice on glue, clamping etc. I can actually use brad nails. Any suggestions how many nails per meter would be sufficient?
Thank you in advance

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Stand by for differing opinions... here's mine from experience.

Not sure why you think Titebond would introduce too much moisture unless you have watered it down.

I have laminated at least that square area in the past, mainly 16mm MDF without any issues using PVA. Usually something heavy or multiple heavy somethings in the middle and clamps around the edges. sometimes where it doesn't matter used screws to clamp.
The flatness will generally be dependent on the underpinning surface your doing this on.

Cheers
Phil

My simple thinking is that Titebond contains water whilst epoxy does not. I use TB by gallons and would rather use it but still not sure...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kolosom1

My simple thinking is that Titebond contains water whilst epoxy does not. I use TB by gallons and would rather use it but still not sure...

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Ok, think about it this way... would you edge glue a piece of MDF into a rebate in MDF and expect to see/have any issues .... PVA glues are often touted as edge sealers for MDF/chipboard.

Honestly mdf just isn't that sensitive to water unless you leave it standing in a puddle of water for hours... i'd hardly call a layer of titebond glueing two sheets together a puddle of water. :)

Cheers
Phil

PVA is fine, just do it on a flat surface and pile heavy things on top while it dries

Thank you

Hi Folks,

From recent personal experience. During a glue up of several MDF panels using Titebond II & III, made the panels warp slightly. I was using 16x3mm x 900 x 900. Having said that after a couple of days they did flatten out. ATM I'm laminating 1.2mm laminate to 19mm MDF and had no warping using solvent based Sika105 Contact Adhesive.

Contact adhesive is the best for large flat areas, coat both sides, put some dowels or sticks between them, line them up and remove the sticks progressively across then put some paint tins or equivalent heavy weight on for a few minutes.

I'll jump on the Titebond/PVA train, all my MDF gluing has been with it and no issues, including laminating two panels approx 1600x450mm 12mm to make 24mm. I wasn't concerned about filling in holes as the end result was painted, so I used screws to hold the panels together along with weights.

(1600x1600x36)

Stupid question but does it have to be 36mm thick? You can buy 30mm thick and for bench top and it's much better than chip board. Made a few carving and work benches using 30mm High Density MNDF and it and was, way better than laminated chipboard tops. As solid as timber and way more stable.

I believe it is possible to get 36 mm HD MDF in UK so maybe it's possible here.

Anyway.... it's just a thought.

:U

I’ve laminated two sheets of 18mm MDF together using Titebond 2 without issue. I used a notched spreader to spread it.