mdf shelves

andrewf75

I need to get some melamine faced MDF to put some more shelves in a wardrobe. They seem to be available in Wickes and no doubt other DIY stores
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Building-Materials/Sheet-Materials/Decorative-Panels/c/1000197?q=%3AtopSellers%3AType%3AShelving+panel&text=#

Does anyone know if any of these shops will cut it for you? I assume it can't really be cut easily with a handsaw?

Thanks

Master_Blaster

B&Q warehouse cutting service.

andrewf75

nice one, thanks

amerste

Not all B&Q stores offer this service, check your local store before going.

andrewf75

amerste wrote: »

Not all B&Q stores offer this service, check your local store before going.

yeah I just realised this, the website doesn't make this very clear

Thanks a lot

Master_Blaster

http://www.trade-point.co.uk/find-a-store/

andrew-b

Any timber merchants will cut it up for you for a small charge and it'll probably be cheaper than the diy sheds and be a better cut than you can achieve. Being picky this isn't MDF though.

Cuttable by handsaw - for a neater edge score with utility knife. Better to cut with powertools though as less likely to splinter the faces of the board.

Reece_

Agree with andrew that you'd be better off sourcing from your local timber yard, they should be able to get you melamine faced mdf as well as faced chipboard (which is what wickes and b&q sell).
I wouldn't be quite so confident that they'll achieve a better cut than you could, melamine is prone to chipping if it's not cut carefully and a lot of yards have a rip saw with blades they rarely sharpen, I certainly never trust a timber yard to 1. cut sheet material without tear out and 2. cut to the actual size I want so I would only ever get stuff rough cut and then cut to final size myself, atleast no one else is to blame than myself if a cut is wrong.

leveller2911

To get a good finished edge on MFMDF it needs to be cut with a "tripe chip" saw blade on a wall/Board saw. It can be done on a table saw that has a "scoring" saw fitted.

If your set on using MFMDF then I would look for a company/local Joinery that will supply sheets cut to size otherwise you will get a nice smooth cut on one side and a dogs dinner of a finish on the other side.

Also be aware that if the shelves are over 600mm long they will need supporting underneath as they will sag. The cut edge will be exposed MDF and will need finishing.

Andrew if your in Kent/East Sussex I would cut them for you FOC (keep it to yourself though,lol). Thats the cutting free of charge not the sheets..:rotfl:

18 mm thick 8'x4' sheet of white MFMDF is around £25-00 per sheet..

andrew-b

I've cut this stuff using a jigsaw before and got an alright finish - though you need decent cleancut blades rather than the speed cut ones. Like i said above mark it out well both sides and score a few times with a stanley knife (fresh blade) along your line and you won't get much chipping at all. Or you can cut marginally too big and file down to your line.

If the shelves are supported by timbers at the ends a chipped edge would be hidden anyway.

Master_Blaster

leveller2911 wrote: »

To get a good finished edge on MFMDF it needs to be cut with a "tripe chip" saw blade on a wall/Board saw. It can be done on a table saw that has a "scoring" saw fitted.

If your set on using MFMDF then I would look for a company/local Joinery that will supply sheets cut to size otherwise you will get a nice smooth cut on one side and a dogs dinner of a finish on the other side.

Also be aware that if the shelves are over 600mm long they will need supporting underneath as they will sag. The cut edge will be exposed MDF and will need finishing.

Andrew if your in Kent/East Sussex I would cut them for you FOC (keep it to yourself though,lol). Thats the cutting free of charge not the sheets..:rotfl:

18 mm thick 8'x4' sheet of white MFMDF is around £25-00 per sheet..

No it does not, I can cut it without that and no issues.