MDF Garage Cabinets

[IlliniBone]

I am in the planning process of multiple garage cabinets. I want to make 2 cabinets that will sit on the floor and 3 to 4 that will be hung.

Now I understand plywood is the best choice for the type of cabinets I'm looking to build. However, I just bought a house and the previous owner left 6 sheets of 10'x4'x3/4" sheets of MDF.

I'm not worried about water or humidity damage since I live in Colorado. I had planned on using small legs to keep them off the concrete floor (http://www.wwhardware.com/pmi-como-4-to-5-adjustable-cabinet-leg-matte-black-pmi552). I know MDF doesnt take screws as well as plywood and is prone to sagging, but with 6 free large sheets can anyone talk me out of not using them?

Would it be better to build a portion of the cabinets out of MDF and the rest out of plywood or can someone talk me into (or out of) building complete cabinets out of MDF? Anyone have pictures of garage cabinets they built out of MDF?

Thanks!

 

[ddawg16]

It depends on how you use it....yes, it will absorb moisture....so it needs to be sealed.

The stuff is not strong....so it does not make the best shelves unless you support it. But it does have good shear strength.

I made mine out of gray melamine....



I also supported min 8" off the floor so nothing touches the ground.











You might be better off using the stuff as doors. It will work ok as sides....just make sure you use plenty of fasteners.

 

[BigGMC]

They'll make fine cabinents, as mentioned, seal them - paint or poly.
MDF machines very nicely, no splinters. No tearouts from routing. It's stable, won't warp
You'll have to predrill all holes and I like to countersink then putty the screw holes. Screw AND glue.
I like working with the stuff although it is VERY dusty.

ddawg - not sure what melanamie you got , but most I have availible in my area isn't any stronger than MDF, it's either MDF or a particle board (slightly coarser makeup than MDF).

 

[shoot summ]

I am in the planning process of multiple garage cabinets. I want to make 2 cabinets that will sit on the floor and 3 to 4 that will be hung.

Now I understand plywood is the best choice for the type of cabinets I'm looking to build. However, I just bought a house and the previous owner left 6 sheets of 10'x4'x3/4" sheets of MDF.

I'm not worried about water or humidity damage since I live in Colorado. I had planned on using small legs to keep them off the concrete floor (http://www.wwhardware.com/pmi-como-4-to-5-adjustable-cabinet-leg-matte-black-pmi552). I know MDF doesnt take screws as well as plywood and is prone to sagging, but with 6 free large sheets can anyone talk me out of not using them?

Would it be better to build a portion of the cabinets out of MDF and the rest out of plywood or can someone talk me into (or out of) building complete cabinets out of MDF? Anyone have pictures of garage cabinets they built out of MDF?

Thanks!

If you build the cabinets properly, you could use the MDF. Only for the base cabinets, I wouldn't consider using it for wall hanging cabinets. I would also use it for the doors and drawer fronts.

For the base cabinets I would use it on the sides and bottom shelf, just watch the unsupported length of the bottom shelf. I would also build a cabinet that uses a face frame, not euro style. As stated, MDF will **** up moisture, so do what you can to keep it away from anything wet.

 

[67carl]

I bought some used kitchen cabinets off craigslist for my garage that are made of MDF. They are solid, heavy and well-built. Mine do have solid wood fronts though...These were in the previous owners house since the early '90s and have held up well. I've got them protected with tarps in a covered walkway and they are holding up fine. Hope to install soon. You will be fine using that material.

 

[shoot summ]

I bought some used kitchen cabinets off craigslist for my garage that are made of MDF. They are solid, heavy and well-built. Mine do have solid wood fronts though...These were in the previous owners house since the early '90s and have held up well. I've got them protected with tarps in a covered walkway and they are holding up fine. Hope to install soon. You will be fine using that material.

That looks more like particle board than MDF.

 

[67carl]

If you're going to make uppers then just build in a nailing strip of solid wood on the top inside. See pic below... This can just be cheap pine, etc...

 

[k1rodeoboater]

my workbench surface is a sheet of 3/4" MDF supported every 16" covered with a sacrificial top made out of hardboard. It held my 550lb motorcycle with the suspension compressed via ratchet straps without sagging, and the tires were between supports

 

[67carl]

That looks more like particle board than MDF.

You think? I could swear it is MDF but wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. Only paid $300 for a boatload of them so either way I'm happy with what I got.

 

[ddawg16]

You think? I could swear it is MDF but wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. Only paid $300 for a boatload of them so either way I'm happy with what I got.

Easy to tell by looking at the ends. If it's rough...PB....real smooth...MDF

 

[Toolfool]

You think? I could swear it is MDF but wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. Only paid $300 for a boatload of them so either way I'm happy with what I got.

That's particle board.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

That's particle board.

Agreed. Particle board is bits of wood pressed together; MDF ... is glorified dust in sheet form. Great stuff to work with and very strong.

The secret to making anything out of MDF is to glue and staple your joints and then go back and glue and staple nailing strips at each joint on the back side. This way that joint will be multiple times stronger than just MDF to MDF.

When you build your hanging cabinets, save yourself a headache and buy some 3/4" plywood for your backing. Then screw and glue your two MDF sides into the 3/4" plywood back and then the same thing for the top and bottoms in the same fashion. This way all the weight is going right into plywood which is lagged into the wall.

Also glue the snot out of it and use a narrow crown stapler to hold things in place until you can predrill and screw.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

MDF has compressive strength and no lateral or shear strength as previous posters have stated. If you plan on hanging anything off the MDF you are in trouble. As an underlayment for a table top you're all set.

 

[SD396]

MDF uppers would be very heavy. Make sure you fasten them well to studs and as mentioned put lots of thought into the construction of the joints for strength and glue and screw. Otherwise free MDF is a great choice.

 

[mtnwalton]

MDF will work well especially for base cabinets. I would use it if I had it, although I hate the dust. I had lots of sheets years ago so I built a cabinet used in our scene shops and it traveled well in and out of trucks. Very heavy but rolls easily with the right casters.

 

[bad_idea]

Wear a respirator when working with the MDF. That dust is wicked. It makes my nose bleed, no kidding. Home Depot has a nice one that you should use for most dust generating activities. http://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Tekk-Protection-Mold-and-Lead-Particle-Respirator-Medium-6297PA1-A/202078789#

 

[oldmerc]

You would be a fool nit to use that much free sheet stock for something

 

[ROB_IN_MN]

you should absolutely wear a mask when cutting/sanding mdf. the glue they use is carcinogen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard

 

[IlliniBone]

You would be a fool nit to use that much free sheet stock for something

Ya I will be using it for a couple base cabinets and at least 1 work bench surface. Going to go with ply for the wall cabinets to cut down on weight.


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[AMCguy]

I built my cabinets out of MDF. It is a breeze to work with. One of the things I like about it, is the edges sand and take a finish just as well as the flat surfaces do.

As you can see by the clutter in these photos, I need to make more of them.

 

[Zeke]

Agreed. Particle board is bits of wood pressed together; MDF ... is glorified dust in sheet form. Great stuff to work with and very strong.

The secret to making anything out of MDF is to glue and staple your joints and then go back and glue and staple nailing strips at each joint on the back side. This way that joint will be multiple times stronger than just MDF to MDF.

When you build your hanging cabinets, save yourself a headache and buy some 3/4" plywood for your backing. Then screw and glue your two MDF sides into the 3/4" plywood back and then the same thing for the top and bottoms in the same fashion. This way all the weight is going right into plywood which is lagged into the wall.

Also glue the snot out of it and use a narrow crown stapler to hold things in place until you can predrill and screw.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

That's right and I say MDF stands for "maximum dust factor."

 

[allinon72]

I built mine out of birch plywood. I really don't like MDF for anything other than an indoor environment.

 

[kippieland]

I would use for the Fronts. Nice and straight. Could use for the counter top if your going to cover it with a laminent or something. Just my thoughts.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

That's right and I say MDF stands for "maximum dust factor."

I'm going to have to remember that one.