I would like to build a simple childrens desk and worktop in a
playroom. Why do all of the diy television programs use exclusively
MDF? Is it simply cost? Or does it have some advantage over other
materials? I have good quality jigsaw, mitre saw and benchtop saw - so
can work with wood.

What wood or MDF would you advise to work with - for someone with
relatively little experience in woodworking, but quite a lot in diy?

mjb wrote:

I would like to build a simple childrens desk and worktop in a
playroom. Why do all of the diy television programs use exclusively
MDF? Is it simply cost? Or does it have some advantage over other
materials? I have good quality jigsaw, mitre saw and benchtop saw - so
can work with wood.

What wood or MDF would you advise to work with - for someone with
relatively little experience in woodworking, but quite a lot in diy?

I'm not a fan of MDF, but only on the emotional grounds that every oik on
TV is using it and partly I regard it as a mark of "cheap and nasty", but
that has a lot to do with how I've encountered it, in cheap and nasty badly
built modern houses.

But back to practicalities - it is dimensionally stable, paints well and is
quite workable, so if painting, MDF is a good choice. Even B&Q would have a
hard time to mess it up (unlike their "wood").

Now, if you want something a little more woody, so you can stain, oil or
varnish it, then:

a) Plywood - again stable, workable and looks quite good. Only the edges
really give it away. Veneering is an option.

b) Real wood, perhaps Premboard or similar for easy to work wide flat
boards. Do not under any circumstances buy from B&Q or any cheap shed - get
from a decent timber yard. Reclaimed wood is an option, nice hardwoods
available for reasonable money - but you should probably check if it's been
treated with any nasty chemicals as it's for kiddie furniture - not sure
how to be sure, unless it's obviously wiffy.

Just some ideas - I like ply myself for simple utility furniture.

mjb wrote:
I would like to build a simple childrens desk and worktop in a
playroom. Why do all of the diy television programs use exclusively
MDF? Is it simply cost? Or does it have some advantage over other
materials? I have good quality jigsaw, mitre saw and benchtop saw - so
can work with wood.

What wood or MDF would you advise to work with - for someone with
relatively little experience in woodworking, but quite a lot in diy?

It's easy, predictable, and consistent.
You can cut it into any shape, and don't have to worry about grain, or
splinters.
It's very flat, you may be able to avoid finishing the top surface at
all, just put some film over it, perhaps tidy up the edge with some
sandpaper, then do the same.
It comes in nice big flat sheets, without any concerns like you might
have with 'proper' wood.
You don't have to stick several bits of 1*2 or something together, and
sand it flat later.

Downsides.
It's very prone to delaminate, you can't put a screw in the 'sides'.
It's generally less strong and heavier than 'proper' wood.
It looks horrible in raw form.
Has a much worse response to getting wet.

"mjb" wrote in message
ups.com...
I would like to build a simple childrens desk and worktop in a
playroom. Why do all of the diy television programs use exclusively
MDF? Is it simply cost? Or does it have some advantage over other
materials? I have good quality jigsaw, mitre saw and benchtop saw - so
can work with wood.

What wood or MDF would you advise to work with - for someone with
relatively little experience in woodworking, but quite a lot in diy?


MDF is dimensionally stable .. so anything you make of it should retain it's
made shape.
Unlike chipboard it can be machined with ease (albeit with a shed load of
dust) and will take a paint finish superbly. It will take screws in the end
'grain' and biscuits, forstner cut holes etc.
It is very strong it tension & compression, it is however quite heavy and
long shelves could sag under it's own weight.

I started using MDF when it was special order only, as it was the perfect
material for load speaker cabinets .. 1" or 1.5" MDF made cabs that were as
sound deadening and free of natural harmonics as concrete cast horns.

One worry is that in the US they did ban the use of MDF on the grounds that
urea-formaldehyde resin which is used to bind the wood dust is carcinogenic.
Unsure if that means the formula is now modified or UK doesn't care.
If you use a router - then do use a dust mask or you will swallow a lost of
nasty dust.

Make sure you use the correct glues when working with MDF .........

Your final question as to what wood ... MDF is probably ideal as it has no
grain and thus you can cut, sand, drill etc. with ease ... it is not too
soft so less likely to slip and take too much out each time.


Rick