partical board

i thought about trying some birch with my latest box, but wanted to stick with what i know. how does working with it compare to mdf? harder to cut? less messy? its heavier too, right?

 
i thought about trying some birch with my latest box, but wanted to stick with what i know. how does working with it compare to mdf? harder to cut? less messy? its heavier too, right?
It's a little easier on your saw blades, and doesn't put as much formaldeyhede (sp?) in the air when cutting it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

But make sure to get 13-ply marine-grade stuff if you want to get fancy with the edges, the cheap stuff you find at Lowe's will chip as soon as you put a roundover on the edges...

 
Birch is much lighter - on your next trip to the hardware store, lift a sheet. Then lift the MDF.

Unfortunately, my (second-to) last enclosure I built from birchply, but it was only 0.5"

0.75" would've been great.

 
It's a little easier on your saw blades, and doesn't put as much formaldeyhede (sp?) in the air when cutting it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif
But make sure to get 13-ply marine-grade stuff if you want to get fancy with the edges, the cheap stuff you find at Lowe's will chip as soon as you put a roundover on the edges...
Yes good pboard is fine for box's, i use it for all my builds and it holds up great.

 
Speaking of birch, i made a new box today with some. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

It cost $40 for a sheet, but man is it sooooooooo much easier to work with. WAY less dusty, which makes for easy cleanup.

Also, its weighs a BUNCH less than MDF. I made a 4 cube box today that took up over half a sheet, and I'd be surprised if the box weighed more than 20 pounds.

Though the stuff I got today wasn't quite as good as the last sheet. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif More little air pockets in it and whatnot, but meh. Although, I think I may have gotten the "cheaper" stuff. The other stuff was $40+tax, and I thought I remembered the total coming to $40, so I got that stuff. But both types are still stronger and lighter than MDF.

 
The really good stuff is more than $40 a sheet and you won't find it at Lowes or Home Depot. The 7 ply stuff they have at Lowes is lighter and stronger than MDF but it has some voids in it. You really want 13+ ply marine grade birch. Not any heavier than the 7 ply but doesn't have the voids.

Much easier on saw blades and router bits than MDF and easier on your lungs, too. Makes real sawdust when cut as oposed to talcum power size particles that are a PITA to control/clean as well.

 
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