? about mdf

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

no.. no predrilling at ALL. i actully drilled 5 or 6 in the side of a piece of MDF when i bought then becasue I thought there claim was BS. sure as shit I drilled the WHOLE crew in their, and the screw actully went about 1/4 inch in the wood, the only thing that split the wood was that the phillips bit that I was useing. Trust me try these screws, you will not bew disapointed.

No pre drilling AT ALL

If wanted you can make the screw go as much or as little into the wood as you would like.

But did you do it within 3" of the corner of the MDF? I can screw all day long in the middle of a piece, but the corner is where you're going to see some easy splitting. Unless the screws are really skinny, I doubt that I can use them close to corners without predrilling.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

i dont use nails or anything other than clue. heres what i do.
i bought those pony 90 degree clamps. i clamp one end on one board, then line up the other piece on the other side of the clamp so that the edge of the twoo meet flush. i dont tighten that side down, put glue on the clamped down piece then lower the 2nd board on it using the pony clamps. once it aligned right (always is using my way) i attach 4 bar clamps and remove the ponys.

tada perfect 90degree board tight and clamped already to go.

Let it dry

I say good day to all you screw users.

Mike-

Like bjfish said, just takes too much time that way(for me at least)...using screws I can assemble a box while the glue is still drying and not have to wait at all. If I had the time and patience to spend all day long waiting for glue to dry, I'd do it...but obviously I don't //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

But did you do it within 3" of the corner of the MDF? I can screw all day long in the middle of a piece, but the corner is where you're going to see some easy splitting. Unless the screws are really skinny, I doubt that I can use them close to corners without predrilling.

Check into those screws. They seem pretty cool. I dont think I would use them, because you always run the risk to drilling them in crooked and having them break out the side of a panel. Its all personal preference though, but to me, it wouldnt be worth the extra cost. Im pretty quick predrilling...

 

[Propimp 10+ year member]

But did you do it within 3" of the corner of the MDF? I can screw all day long in the middle of a piece, but the corner is where you're going to see some easy splitting. Unless the screws are really skinny, I doubt that I can use them close to corners without predrilling.

No I did it on the side..... where there is only 3/4" //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Propimp 10+ year member]

and yes the screws are skinny, it looks like a regular screw with a thinner shaft. It is also self taping, and under the head of the screw are 4 claws?(for lack of better words) that help the head flush or deep mount it want.. I will post some pics tommorow afternoon so you can get a better idea. I was so skeptial as well

 

[Propimp 10+ year member]

Check into those screws. They seem pretty cool. I dont think I would use them, because you always run the risk to drilling them in crooked and having them break out the side of a panel. Its all personal preference though, but to me, it wouldnt be worth the extra cost. Im pretty quick predrilling...

yes, unfortunately I have done this //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

No I did it on the side..... where there is only 3/4" //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Obviously on the side...I meant within 3" of the corner as well, since drilling on the side of MDF, near a corner, is an easy way to split it.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

propimp's claim is 100% correct. i used these spax screws for an amprack i built today since i didnt wanna wait for glue to dry.

i was using 1/2 mdf and it only split on 1 of the screws out of 16 and it was only because i didnt center the screw in the 1/2 mdf sheet completlely centered.

Comes with the special drill bit to use with them. they have teeth on the threads of the screw that grab and bite into the wood as u screw. thin, and best part is that the screws mount flush or can be inset. i was able to get each screw 1/8 inch down everytime and there was more room than that if i wanted.

Love these screws, however i still am not going to use screws on my boxes cause i love the durability im getting with just using glue. if i sacrafice time, so be it.

Mike-

 

[Propimp 10+ year member]

thanks, I found these screws about a month ago and have been tryingto let people know how easy they are to work with. But brad nailers pwn screws IMO. But I dont have a brad nailer.