Is there a big construction difference between MDF and Plywood?

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

i know everything is made outa MDF but y is it so good? and what makes it better then plywood?

thx

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[musthavemuzk 10+ year member]

from what i can recall.

common options for box building materials

3/4" MDF

3/4" birch plywood

the big differences is price and weight.

the MDF is twice as heavy as well as being half the cost.

so it all depends on how deep your pockets are and if weight is a concern.

but both work well for box and amp rack building.

for amp rack building you can get by with 1/2 or 5/8 inch MDF.

Monty

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

Most people use 3/4" MDF because, if i am not mistaken, it is stronger than plywood because of a stronger glue that bonds the wood together. I think plywood is prone to separating because of the different layers that are bonded together. I've also heard that plywood can actually leak air. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

Wow, i haven't posted in a long ass time. It feels good. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[musthavemuzk 10+ year member]

sure has been along time

considering your sig talks about the eD NiNe.1.

and well that has been nonexistant for sometime now.

well i had a box laying around that was just collecting dust.

2.25 ported.

a friends daughter is working on her first system

the chosen sub did not fit in the hole.

so i offered to mod the box to fit the sub and tune it best.

the glue joint for baffle to box was tough. the mdf around the glue joint broke before the joint did.

so yes it is a tough joint.

as for plywood seperating.

yes it can

i myself would not be too concerned with it in this application.

just be sure to do straight cuts. use glue. predrill.

Monty

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

sure has been along time
considering your sig talks about the eD NiNe.1.

and well that has been nonexistant for sometime now.

Monty

Haha, good call. The sig is now changed, and hopefully for the last time. The last time is in full force on this forum was May, so I'm a little behind on everything. I'll catch up.

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

from what i can recall.
common options for box building materials

3/4" MDF

3/4" birch plywood

the big differences is price and weight.

the MDF is twice as heavy as well as being half the cost.

so it all depends on how deep your pockets are and if weight is a concern.

but both work well for box and amp rack building.

for amp rack building you can get by with 1/2 or 5/8 inch MDF.

Monty

i thought MDF would cost more, so MDF would be the best way then?

 

[azngurlbaybee 10+ year member]

If I recall, best to worst...

Sound goes:

Plywood => Particle => MDF

Price goes:

Particle => MDF => Plywood

Durability/looks goes:

MDF => Plywood => Particle

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

If I recall, best to worst...
Sound goes:

Plywood => Particle => MDF

Price goes:

Particle => MDF => Plywood

Durability/looks goes:

MDF => Plywood => Particle

thx for the help, like i said ill probly go wit MDF, but i have to get the pricing

 

[Natheo 10+ year member]

20-30 bucks for a big sheet of it. it seals better, cuts better, doesnt warp as easily, and has no grain which makes screwing boxes together easier.

 

[Bavarian3 10+ year member]

Mdf is as cheap as can be......

 

[sundownz Pro Seller]

I used high quality void free birch for my sub box... it's is dramatically lighter than MDF. This was important in my situation since I am running 3x 12s which are ~35 lbs each themselves. Birch plywood is 3x more rigid than MDF (Dan Wiggins) as well. Only problem is that it was $40 for a sheet and MDF is $18 at my store.

http://arawndark.netfirms.com/_D2s -- My box

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

i went and got the wood today, a nice 4' by 8' sheet. it was 20 and then i got the screws and caulking... now to measure and cut