Avoiding wood splits

[duanebro 10+ year member]

I hate using MDF, not only because it splits, but because the dust is nasty. The problem with ply is the price to get void free. The recommended kind is Baltic birch. And its about $70!

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

try using a humidifier, it makes the wood softer so it doesn't split as easily. OR use a nail gun

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

its inevitable, it will wplit no matter what. i have tried different sizes of bits, different screws etc. the only way is to drill the whole so big the screw doesnt grip well, and to me, thats worse than having a split. it just part of using mdf.

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

I've made plenty of mdf boxes no splits, all I needed was to make sure the wood wasn't dry as hell.

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

have you takes tne box back apart to check the end of the mdf, where the screw goes? cause out of the many boxes i have made, this is where it ALWAYS splits.

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

I've blown some boxes apart and no splits. The one I switched a baffle on was good as well.

 

[accuab 10+ year member]

Birch FTW.........

When you say birch, are you meaning birch plywood?

 

[wenn_du_weinst 10+ year member]

I've used baltic and cabinet grade, and pine. For a regular box you can get away with pine. it will resonate easily so you need to brace like you would with mdf. Cabinet grade birch I didn't have the resonating problem it just isn't as strong as baltic.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

have you takes tne box back apart to check the end of the mdf, where the screw goes? cause out of the many boxes i have made, this is where it ALWAYS splits.

Dude, I can't stop watching your sig...

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

i know, its hard for me to type when i can see it(hence the misspelled words in my last post //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif....

 

[StevesCarAudio 10+ year member]

I pretty much never have problems with wood spliting. And heck I am lazy, I use my Milwaukee Impact driver to drive in screws on most projects. Usually use decking screws or drywall screws and 3/4 mdf.

 

[double 07 10+ year member]

I have BUILT a lot of boxes since 1989 and wood is going to split every now and again. I say as long as you use GOOD quality glue, properly brace it, and use a good sealant it's going to be problem free for YEARS!!!! A split is not the end of the world. Hell your A** has a split in it and it survives!!!! lol

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

i use a good grade of mdf ,no home depot stuff,#6 2" stainless steel screws and very rarely have splits ,2.5 - 3" from the corners too

 

[grandam888 10+ year member]

maybe thats my issue, i always use home depot wood. i also use a screw every 2-3" so on a 10 cube box(before displacements), i use about 2 pounds of screws. my wood ALWAYS splits.

 

[813thumper 10+ year member]

you could always not screw it into the side and use one of these bad boys on the inside of it: