Birch vs MDF

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

im building the box this weekend and buying the wood tomorrow. just wanna know the pros and cons on either one. i have only used mdf in the past, so i cant say anything about birch. anyone used both than can elaborate??? thanks in advance guys. and im looking at about 2 sheets for sure.

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[jbizzle 5,000+ posts]

Birch wins in every way IMO, its all I use now when I build boxes. Its lighter, stronger for only a few bucks more. What more can you ask for?

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

yeah birch is just all around better. easier to work with, stronger, more resistant to moisture, etc.

just make sure you get the right kind of birch.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

for smaller enclosure I usually use MDF, for larger enclosures I try to use birch. the big thing with me is that the birch is much lighter and doesn't kick up as much dust. birch, I find, does not kick up as much dust just it doesn't float and cling like MDF. if the price is right, I'll agree with the others but here a 4'x8' sheet of MDF is $30 while birch is $45.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

yeah birch is just all around better. easier to work with, stronger, more resistant to moisture, etc.
just make sure you get the right kind of birch.

so whats the right kind of birch??

 

---------- Post added at 04:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:42 PM ----------

 

for smaller enclosure I usually use MDF, for larger enclosures I try to use birch. the big thing with me is that the birch is much lighter and doesn't kick up as much dust. birch, I find, does not kick up as much dust just it doesn't float and cling like MDF. if the price is right, I'll agree with the others but here a 4'x8' sheet of MDF is $30 while birch is $45.

yeah its about the same price here for the wood. i think its a 12 dollar difference. just wondering if its worth the extra 25-30 for the wood. can **** near get another sheet of mdf for the difference in price ya know

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

If its the same price the birch for sure!

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

so whats the right kind of birch?? 

---------- Post added at 04:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:42 PM ----------

 

yeah its about the same price here for the wood. i think its a 12 dollar difference. just wondering if its worth the extra 25-30 for the wood. can **** near get another sheet of mdf for the difference in price ya know

don't remember lol. there is a special kind that is ideal..the rest is sorta junk.

you guys have it lucky, birch is $60 up here whereas mdf is $30

 

[jbizzle 5,000+ posts]

Birch plywood, I generally only buy 11 or 9ply birch.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

Birch plywood, I generally only buy 11 or 9ply birch.

ok. figured thats what it was, cause when i was lookin at the homie depot couple weeks ago it was around 40+ ish a sheet. o yeah the enclosure it gonna be about 5 ft before displacement and all.

 

[jbizzle 5,000+ posts]

ok. figured thats what it was, cause when i was lookin at the homie depot couple weeks ago it was around 40+ ish a sheet. o yeah the enclosure it gonna be about 5 ft before displacement and all.

Just make sure the sheet you get isn't warped, Home Depot is known for that.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

Just make sure the sheet you get isn't warped, Home Depot is known for that.

any distinct way to tell other than stand it on end? just to be on the safe side.

 

[twistedchild420 5,000+ posts]

The ONLY complaint i have about Birch is that it does not accept resin as well as MDF.....other than that it's a no brainer.....store down here has it for 30$ a sheet....i just bought 2 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

The ONLY complaint i have about Birch is that it does not accept resin as well as MDF.....other than that it's a no brainer.....store down here has it for 30$ a sheet....i just bought 2 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

what! what store? that shit is high here, bout to do my build

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

The ONLY complaint i have about Birch is that it does not accept resin as well as MDF.....other than that it's a no brainer.....store down here has it for 30$ a sheet....i just bought 2 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

god **** texans ugh. i honestly dont plan on using resin in the box. i know it helps airflow and all that but i aint too worried about that.

 

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

I can guarantee that the birch you guys are getting for $30-40 a sheet is NOT the correct 9 - 13 ply Baltic Birch. Baltic Birch comes from Russia or other foreign countries, only.

What you are buying is cabinet grade Birch which has outside plies that are birch. The inside is still regular old plywood. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif Genuine Baltic birch is $50-60+ a sheet and usually comes in 5' x 5' sheets. http://alliedveneer.com/what-is-baltic-birch.html