chiselling mdf compared to wood
 

Hi,
I have a 1 inch thick mdf with oak veneer shelf which needs an L bracket
letting into the edge at either end near front for added support in an
alcove as the shelf sits flush with the wall. What is the best way to cut
out an area to let this in. Simply chisel out a channel, or saw grooves into
the area to ease the task ? Never chiselled mdf so not sure how it chisels
compared to standard wood.
Steve

chiselling mdf compared to wood
 

Steve wrote:
Hi,
I have a 1 inch thick mdf with oak veneer shelf which needs an L
bracket letting into the edge at either end near front for added
support in an alcove as the shelf sits flush with the wall. What is
the best way to cut out an area to let this in. Simply chisel out a
channel, or saw grooves into the area to ease the task ? Never
chiselled mdf so not sure how it chisels compared to standard wood.

'Very' sharp chisel would be OK, but a router is much better - if you have
one. Could you not fit a batten under the ends?


--
Dave
The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

chiselling mdf compared to wood
 

On Tue, 08 May 2007 22:46:56 GMT, "Steve"
wrote:

Never chiselled mdf so not sure how it chisels
compared to standard wood.

Nothing like it, but it's dead easy. Remember that it's just layers of
cardboard - strong in the plane, weak between them. So long as you use a
wide chisel to mark out the edges of the groove _first_, then the waste
inbetween just pops out. If you ever try to lift a shaving beyond the
pared edge, then you'll split it and run too far.

Or of course it routs beautifully.