Meatwad Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 I've got this cabinet frame started and I want to put my harbor freight drill press on it. It's 40 pounds. Do I need any additional support inside the cabinet other than just MDF? Wooden frame or anything? Or will the MDF be enough to hold it up? This is not my final design for how I will mount the drill press on top. I'm just showing it for reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dave H Posted September 7, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 Is the joinery just butt joints glue and screws? If so I would add a back panel to keep the carcass from racking, even if you used dado's and rebates I would add a back panel. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drbwwing Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 MDF holds screws poorly and does not glue well, either. Depends on weight, you could put a piece of 2x material on top. But IMO you are off with plywood or solid wood. Racking is also an issue, as it will be top heavy. +1 on a back, and anchor to wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 Not a big MDF fan so don't get me wrong. However, this MDF drawer unit has served many purposes during its long life. It finally ended up as a base for my small bandsaw. There are specific methods for using screws and glues for MDF that differ from our general use of same. This one is just glued rabbets. It does have a 3/4" rabbeted back to keep things rigid. The casters are bolted through instead of lag screwed in. It has been a solid performer for many years without issue. For your design / dimensions and weight I think you will be OK if your environment is pretty mild. If you get wide humidity and weather swings I might reinforce things with a brace / stretcher under the front top lip or just double the top. When in doubt, build it stout. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatwad Posted September 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 @gee-dub, yes, all the MDF is screwed together and yes I do have an MDF back panel to add but it doesn't have a rebate. I like the stretcher idea but I guess I'm not understanding how doubling the top would resist racking force. Can you explain? I wouldn't say we experience wide humidity swings but I'm in Arkansas so it just stays mostly swampy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 All I have to say is that appears to be a heck of a step down from the door by your drill press. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatwad Posted September 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 On 9/7/2021 at 11:22 AM, Chet said: All I have to say is that appears to be a heck of a step down from the door by your drill press. It sure is, but thankfully that is not the door to the house but a closet in our garage with a LOT of extra room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted September 7, 2021 Report Share Posted September 7, 2021 On 9/7/2021 at 8:43 AM, Meatwad said: @gee-dub, yes, all the MDF is screwed together and yes I do have an MDF back panel to add but it doesn't have a rebate. I like the stretcher idea but I guess I'm not understanding how doubling the top would resist racking force. Can you explain? I wouldn't say we experience wide humidity swings but I'm in Arkansas so it just stays mostly swampy. The only reason I can think of doubling the top the down forces of using the drill press, sometimes you will be bearing down on the handle when drilling through metal or using a dull bit, MDF would be less strong than say plywood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 You might want to look up Confirmat screws. They are made specially for joining man-made materials and work very well. Most of the cabinets in my shop are made from melamine covered particle board held together by Confimat screws and have held up very well. Several of them are used for tool stands. You can get them at McFeeley's. You will need a special two step drill bit for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 I think that with a back added, that will do well for several years, if protected from excess moisture. But you would be surprised how mu h more strength / rigidity is gained if you house those butt joints into dadoes & rabbets. Just 1/8" would do wonders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 JMO, but mdf has it’s place, to remain on the racks of HD and Lowe’s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 7 hours ago, Coop said: JMO, but mdf has it’s place, to remain on the racks of HD and Lowe’s. Ha! Don't tell me you've never made an MDF jig. There are times when the flatness and consistent thickness of MDF just can't be beat. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 Nothing wrong with MDF. Been used in the cabinet industry for a long time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 5:46 AM, wtnhighlander said: Ha! Don't tell me you've never made an MDF jig. There are times when the flatness and consistent thickness of MDF just can't be beat. You are right! And I even bought a 3/4” sheet to act as an assembly table for my bathroom door. But when I finished with it, I cut it up and took it to the office and put it in the dumpster for lack of space to keep it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 MDF is my #1 product around the shop. Masonite #2... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 10:00 AM, Coop said: You are right! And I even bought a 3/4” sheet to act as an assembly table for my bathroom door. But when I finished with it, I cut it up and took it to the office and put it in the dumpster for lack of space to keep it. I would say that was a costly mistake, but considering I took excessive walnut plywood and use it for jigs isn't any different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 10:00 AM, Coop said: You are right! And I even bought a 3/4” sheet to act as an assembly table for my bathroom door. But when I finished with it, I cut it up and took it to the office and put it in the dumpster for lack of space to keep it. So why do not like MDF? Hope its not because the internet said so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 If you have a back I don't see anything wrong with MDF. It's going to be FAR stronger than the trash they sell at Ikea that is an inferior fiberboard or hardboard. That stuff will usually hold up to minor abuse. I've made quite a few items from MDF core play and they have held up so far (bathroom cabinets, shelves, shop fixtures). I don't get the problem. I've also found that MDF takes glue quite nicely. In my own tests the glue joint is stronger than MDF material around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 10:34 AM, BillyJack said: So why do not like MDF? Hope its not because the internet said so... I actually don’t dislike mdf and yes, it does have it’s place. Now particleboard is a different story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 11:57 AM, Coop said: I actually don’t dislike mdf and yes, it does have it’s place. Now particleboard is a different story! Tell me the story? I've worked with PB most of my cabinet career... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 12:42 PM, BillyJack said: I've worked with PB most of my cabinet career... I’m sorry. And that’s ok as I’m sure we’ve all done things that we are not particularly proud of at one time or another. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted September 8, 2021 Report Share Posted September 8, 2021 Doesnt bother me. Quality isnt just the material.... You know PB is more ridgid than MDF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted September 9, 2021 Report Share Posted September 9, 2021 I have found there are several grades of particle board, at least the Melamine Oates stuff. The big box store stuff tends towards junk. The particles are large. The stuff I get at my lumber sealer has a core that has particle size that approaches MDF and is much stronger. Plus it holds fasteners better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 10, 2021 Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 On 9/7/2021 at 8:43 AM, Meatwad said: I like the stretcher idea but I guess I'm not understanding how doubling the top would resist racking force. Can you explain? Sorry, I was referring to the stretcher for racking and the top-doubling for avoiding sag. With the back on I don't feel your dimensions will be very rack prone unless abused so doubling the top may be all you need. Conversely, the stretcher could do both if it were "wide" enough (wide = top to bottom; 2" or more) the rub there is that it crowds your cubby opening. It is very possible that with the weight of your machine, sagging is not a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Meatwad Posted September 17, 2021 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 17, 2021 Well, I finished it and took your advice, @gee-dub. I put stretchers at the bottom and top and then used 2 layers of 3/4" plywood on top. I think it turned out pretty good. For those curious I used spax hardwood/mdf screws. I would definitely do rabbets on the walls and top and bottom next time. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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