? about mdf

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

Air compressor

Brad nailer

1.5" nails

Titebond

=

Win!

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

pre-drill and no nails. wood should not split

It still can if the screws are too close to an edge. Pre-drilling does not eliminate splitting and only slightly reduces the risk.

If you really want to avoid splitting, you should really try to keep as few screws or nails per side as possible. If I'm using screws, I use 1 or 2 per panel up to about 30" long or so and then I would use about 3. Also make sure to leave about 5-6" before the edge of the wood as that's an easy place to split the wood. Try not to use a screw or nail that is too long either. I stick with 1 1/8" screws as they will pull the wood tight enough for the wood glue to bond well and that's all you need them for.

 

[DBDRAGGUY 10+ year member]

I use "Mend It" to seal the joints. It is similiar to jbweld but it is a puddy that comes in a tube. Mix a little go down 1 edge with a putty knife and your set.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

IMO you can't go wrong with the 1 1/4 drywall screw.I have built many boxes over the years and learned from my mistakes.Supplies I use are TBII,1 1/4 coarse thread drywall screw,and some 1 3/16 brads to hold things in place.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

Air compressorBrad nailer

1.5" nails

Titebond

=

Win!

I use brand nails on my smaller boxes and it works fine, you just have to make sure your cuts are spot-on since brad nails don't **** up small gaps like screws do. But with building 5' long boxes that are going to house a couple of 18's each, I need my screws to make sure everything is sealed especially well and never going to leak air.

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

It still can if the screws are too close to an edge. Pre-drilling does not eliminate splitting and only slightly reduces the risk.
If you really want to avoid splitting, you should really try to keep as few screws or nails per side as possible. If I'm using screws, I use 1 or 2 per panel up to about 30" long or so and then I would use about 3. Also make sure to leave about 5-6" before the edge of the wood as that's an easy place to split the wood. Try not to use a screw or nail that is too long either. I stick with 1 1/8" screws as they will pull the wood tight enough for the wood glue to bond well and that's all you need them for.

Exacaly, they are just used to hold the wood until the glue dries.This is the main fastener in the box building process.

 

[goodstuff 10+ year member]

Did the mdf get wet at some point? If you pre drilled you shouldn't split the wood unless the hole you drilled is to small.

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

na it didnt get wet the predrill was probably to small.

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

If it got wet it would have swelled and been un usuable.

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

nope didnt get wet

 

[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

bah who uses screws anyway...

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

Usually n00bs who think thats what hold them together....haha

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

what?

and i used the red liquid nails along the seams. on the inside.

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

I use brand nails on my smaller boxes and it works fine, you just have to make sure your cuts are spot-on since brad nails don't **** up small gaps like screws do. But with building 5' long boxes that are going to house a couple of 18's each, I need my screws to make sure everything is sealed especially well and never going to leak air.

Never had a problem...Ive built some pretty large ones too.

 

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

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