MDF vs Trupan vs Fiberglass vs Bamboo.

[BMW Sidewayz 10+ year member]

Prove this to me. And proof is not someone else's opinion.

O yeah- and the "Special Technique" is called a Dado and isn't special at all.
I just wonder why you would assume everything someone; who is attempting to sell you something, says is true.

Here's what I found in Google. Scroll down to Trupan and read, but here's the easy...

THE MERCEDES OF MDF

Trupan is a double refined medium density fiberboard produced from only fresh debarked Radiata Pine logs harvested from sustainable forests. By using only fresh Radiata Pine logs, no other species, or wood waste, Trupan is able to produce a very light colored medium density fiberboard. The use of Radiata Pine in the production of Trupan produces a fiberboard that is extremely easy to machine. The Radiata Pine content of Trupan tends to prolong cutter life. The double refining produces a board that is very consistent throughout its core, thus making it the perfect choice for edge profiling, moulding, and routing. Trupan is produced in Chile and imported into the United States. Because of the longer lead times it is important to have a supplier that carries an adequate inventory. At Schaller Hardwood Lumber Company, we carry perhaps the largest most diversified inventory of Trupan in the Midwest.

TRUPAN LIGHT---weighs approximately 80% of a standard mdf or about 80 lbs per sheet of 3/4" 4x8. Trupan Light is the best choice for producing moulding, raised panels, and edge profiling.

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:bHhRjhu_KBEJ:www.schallerhardwood.com/new_page_2.htm+Trupan&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Here's another link

http://www.realmofexcursion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4353

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:4tY4wicL66cJ:forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/4/376358.html+Trupan+vs+MDF&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

just as good as MDF. Trupan is light weight MDF

my last post was terrible. what i was trying to say is that, why does he think trupan is only for enclosures with thousands and thousands of watts going through the subs.

also if its just 20lbs lighter...ill take the mdf

 

[NeverEnuffBass 10+ year member]

my last post was terrible. what i was trying to say is that, why does he think trupan is only for enclosures with thousands and thousands of watts going through the subs.
also if its just 20lbs lighter...ill take the mdf

Build 2 identical boxes one from trupan and one from MDF. Based on wieght, ease of cutting, sanding, and routing. You would only use trupan from now on. IMO well worth the extra $

 

[audiowizard 10+ year member]

id use MDF its heaver and 1 wont move and and 2 its heavy so try and carry somthing that 130 lbs. and run with it but a 13w7 mdf will be fine

 

[Airman21 10+ year member]

for some of us who have people on the forum build us boxes like myself might want to consider having our box builders use this.. the money we will spend extra on the trupan will make up for it in the lower shipping cost

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Trupan is about 30#'s lighter per sheet and it's THE only thing I'll ever use for my personal boxes and any customers who will pay the extra cost as it's $20 more per sheet over MDF in my area.

It cuts like butter, same for routing. It's a much finer particle and a different glue compared to MDF. WAY less dust is also a big plus. All cuts for a box will make the same dust as 2 cuts on MDF. Also it doesn't dent or chip like MDF. Overall it's just MUCH better to work with.

Once you try it you won't ever want to use Trupan again...

I'll try to post up the name/phone number of the US rep. He can put you in touch with a local lumber yard that can get it.

 

[IamDeMan 5,000+ posts]

Prove this to me. And proof is not someone else's opinion.

If you don't believe it from Fishers mouth, then you prove to us he is wrong, fancy pants. I don't go around believing everything someone says, but I do weigh Fishers opinions heavily. He generally knows what he is talking about. Please by all means show us if his statement is incorrect.

 

[Mr Cabinetry 10+ year member]

Trupan or Ultra Light MDF as it is called is not 80% lighter than Standard MDF.

I know this because the Distributor I purchase my material from stocks all types and grades of MDF and according to the MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet for this product ( Ultra Light MDF ) is 1.83 lbs per sq.ft. vs 3.1 lbs ( Standard MDF ) based on 3/4" Thickness Material.

That being the case, the weight difference between the two materials is 40%, NOT 80%.

There's your proof and if anyone wants to call me on it, here's the contact info:

Fessenden Hall Inc. - 1-800-220-2233

Phil

Woodlawn Cabinetry

 

[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Trupan or Ultra Light MDF as it is called is not 80% lighter than Standard MDF.
I know this because the Distributor I purchase my material from stocks all types and grades of MDF and according to the MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet for this product ( Ultra Light MDF ) is 1.83 lbs per sq.ft. vs 3.1 lbs ( Standard MDF ) based on 3/4" Thickness Material.

That being the case, the weight difference between the two materials is 40%, NOT 80%.

There's your proof and if anyone wants to call me on it, here's the contact info:

Fessenden Hall Inc. - 1-800-220-2233

Phil

Woodlawn Cabinetry

Somebody dropped the pwn hammer.

 

[shortyg83 10+ year member]

Trupan or Ultra Light MDF as it is called is not 80% lighter than Standard MDF.
I know this because the Distributor I purchase my material from stocks all types and grades of MDF and according to the MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet for this product ( Ultra Light MDF ) is 1.83 lbs per sq.ft. vs 3.1 lbs ( Standard MDF ) based on 3/4" Thickness Material.

That being the case, the weight difference between the two materials is 40%, NOT 80%.

There's your proof and if anyone wants to call me on it, here's the contact info:

Fessenden Hall Inc. - 1-800-220-2233

Phil

Woodlawn Cabinetry

hmm no one said it was 80 percent lighter. They said it was 80% the weight, in other words 20% lighter

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

hmm no one said it was 80 percent lighter. They said it was 80% the weight, in other words 20% lighter

but that's still wrong...

 

[Mr Cabinetry 10+ year member]

As for the shipping issue, the weight of the item being shipped doesn't come into play.

Now, I'm basing this statement solely from the perspective of the shipper ( fedex ) using their shipping calculator the item being a sub box at it's given dimensions whether weight is 70lbs or 55lbs, the shipping cost is still the same because the weight is based on the " Dimensional Weight of the package ( shipping carton ) " and not the actual item weight.

Other shippers ( UPS, DHL ) may use the different formula/method of calculation to determine what the shipping cost are for a given item.

 

[Mr Cabinetry 10+ year member]

hmm no one said it was 80 percent lighter. They said it was 80% the weight, in other words 20% lighter

Well, it's not 20% now is it, so, where ever that information was obtained is not correct and if were going to split hairs, at least let's be accurate about the hairs were splitting.

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

Build 2 identical boxes one from trupan and one from MDF. Based on wieght, ease of cutting, sanding, and routing. You would only use trupan from now on. IMO well worth the extra $

IF its only 20lbs or so less, its not worth it.

i dont cut my own wood. i do at times, but most of the time i just pay and tip the lowes guys to cut my shit since i cant fit a whole sheet into my car.

i dont sand, and i dont router it. the only advantage is has to me is the weight.

however if Cabinetry is right...40% is a considerable decrease in weight...but still not worth $20 more a sheet. id rather save it and put it towards electrical or other componenets.

 

[Mr Cabinetry 10+ year member]

I for one would like nothing more that be able to build enclosure's using the UL MDF only from the standpoint that it would save wear and tear on equipment and prolong the cutting life of carbide router bits and tablesaw blades given that the density of UL MDF is less that of standard mdf.

Now, getting to point of " sound " difference in terms of which material is more " resonant dead " that's a no brainier since standard MDF is more dense the UL MDF be the vary nature of the weight difference. So, the standard mdf is more " resonance dead " the the UL MDF.

The point was brought up as to " can a difference be heard ? " I highly doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference if two identical sub boxes were built with the different MDF.

BUT, under ideal acoustical resonant frequency testing conditions ( Anechoic Sound Chamber ), then those differences would show up like a sore thumb.