(Rich Dell) wrote in message

What do you guys think about using popular for rails and stiles, and
MDF for panels? I like the drywall compound idea for the simpler panel
edges, but not the more intricate rail and stile details.

Thanks, Rich


Rich,

I actually did those 8 panel doors in a basement playroom I'm
finishing. Its been my own personal labratory. I did 6 of those 8
panel doors using MDF for the rails and stiles. I was curious to see
how it would work and the lack of warping issues was also attractive.
They want together fine and I did glue the panels into the
rails/stiles, but the back edge of the groove on the rails/stiles is
very weak. The weakness isn't an issue after gluing the panels in,
but if the rails/stile don't fit together just so, the back edge of
that groove will just pop off.

I read the FWW article in between doors 6 and 7, so I did switch to
poplar. Worked fine.

I actually had the doors with the MDF rails/stiles finished but not
painted before reading the article, so I did go back and use the
drywall compound after the fact. Because of that, I was unable to
scrap the excess compound off with router bits. I just rough sanded
them with drywall compound sand paper (the stuff that looks like
screening) and then finish sanded with 220 grit. The thing about
drywall compound is that its easy to sand.

Chuck