"makesawdust" wrote in message
...

Adam Diehl Wrote:
tillius wrote:-
is 3/4 mdf strong enough to build a cabinet carcass for my shop tools
such as a rolling cabinet for my bench top drill press; mortiser;
etc?

Would it be better to use 3/4" hardwood plywood or a dimensional
lumber frame with mdf skin?

tillman-

For a rolling tool bench, you'll want something more sturdy and stable
than just an MDF carcass... A frame made of 2x4 lumber and some metal
angle brackets would only slightly increase the cost to build the
bench,
and would lend a lot of stability to it.
-AD

I'm going to have to disagree with your assessment on this one. The
key to making a cabinent that is strong and won't fall to pieces under
movement and vibration isn't heavier materials and steel brackets.
It's thoughtful design, good joints, and appropriate adhesive and
fasteners.

My drill press is an old Shopsmith (1947 model) that sits on an MDF
base that is shaped like a pyramid with a flat top. The unit is so
heavy it takes two people to lift it. It doesn't have wheels, so when
I need to move it, I drag it across my shop. This base has been in use
for five years and is still rock solid. With proper design and
execution MDF will work fine for a mobile work bench.

I recommend that you build a typical box cabinet with 3/4 inch MDF.
Cut dado's along the sides and back to hold the bottom panel. On the
botton of the cabinet, use triangular corner bracing - these braces
will also be the attachement points for the caster wheels - use the
largest ones you can find that lock. Also use triagular bracing at the
top of the cabinet, as this will provide added stability and serve as
the attachment points for the top of the cabinet. Use 3/4 inch MDF for
the top work surface, and run it over the edges by a couple inches, but
round the corners; if one layer doesn't feel solid enough, add another
layer.

If you don't want to use a solid wood face frame for the cabinet, at
least add a 3" to 4" strip of MDF along the front top of the cabinet
running between the insides of the side panels; you can do the same
beneath the bottom of the cabinet. Adding internal structures for
shelves and drawers will even add to the strength of the cabinet.

You could probably even use 3/4 inch particle board for this project
and be find. Alternatively, if you want a bigger rolling cabinet,
consider making several smaller cabinets and bolting them together,
then adding the wheels. I built a large mobile base for a home brewery
out of 3/4 inch particle board with three cabinets bolted together. It
was bomb proof when I was finished (but very heavy!)

I almost forgot...use plenty of glue and screws when assembling it.

Good luck!


--
makesawdust

they (commercial factories) make large fish tank stands out of mdf. a large
tank could weigh upwards of 1000 lbs.