Why MDF?

[iakona808 10+ year member]

thats cool man. why use MDF? havent you heard of the saying if everyone jumped off the bridge you should too?

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

Not quite the same case. This is more like "Why use a car with round wheels? Square ones do almost the same thing."

 

[Jim Boom 10+ year member]

hey for MDF how do you construct it together, do screws hold, or do you use glue. Cause that stuff looks as it would kinda fall apart if you used screws, I dunno what do you all use?

 

[tobz 10+ year member]

Why bother choosing? Any solidly built enclosure should have glued joints, as well as screws, biscuits, dowels, whatever tickles your fancy. Yes, you can use only glue if you want to, you can do anything if you want to.

Most of the people on here stating that plywood is just fine, etc, are right. Yes, plywood can make a workable enclosure. However, for those that say plywood is just fine, I'd be willing to bet that some/most of them have not seen a quality built MDF enclosure. It's like a brick house. You drop your box on the corner and it just dents. It doesn't chip, break, peel or get funky. Just a solid thump, and a dented corner - the box is still fine. MDF is solid and works well for a reason.

Try what you want, but if you shop around you can find inexpensive MDF. It's kind of a b*tch to work with, but once you get past that issue, you're home free. Just learn to make very accurate cuts, and plan it out so it fits like a glove. There should be no cracks, mismatched angles or anything. Your box should be practically air tight WITHOUT sealant/silicone/glue. That way the little bit of sealant you do use, creates a really good seal, and a really good enclosure.

That's my two cents, have fun with whatever you use.

T.J.

 

[BIG_SUPERMAN72 10+ year member]

MDF is strong as hell my truck box i used Liquid nails to Seal it and hold together. I also used a Nail gun.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Use a carbide blade on the table saw and it is really easy to work with. I dropped $25 at Home Depot for a cheap (Oldham) industrial carbide blade for my table saw and have not had any problems cutting the stuff. Carbide router bits go right through it, too.

 

[BIG_SUPERMAN72 10+ year member]

I dunno what kinda blade i have on mine. Its a new table saw cut through it easy.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

Glue should be enough to hold it together. I use screws as well, but they can actually be removed after the glue dries and you would see no ill effect.

 

[BIG_SUPERMAN72 10+ year member]

I was thinking about making a box and putting it on my seat. In the middle. having it face angled into window. any ideas?

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

Adding dynomat to the inside of your ported box can throw off your tuning.

 

[pavengmike6 10+ year member]

Adding dynomat to the inside of your ported box can throw off your tuning.

Are you saying dynomat, or any sound damp material?