On a recent job, I had a large raised paneled area above the mantle of a 40,000 BTU gas fireplace which went to the 12′ ceiling. It was shop built from plywood/poplar and then site installed and sprayed in place.
My lumber rep stopped by, and he was trying to sell me on using their mill shop’s CNC capabilities for future jobs to machine the piece out of a single MDF sheet. Besides saving money, he is arguing I would end up with a stable, monolithic, and pre-primed product above the heat with no joints to move or requiring painters to prep.
I frequently avoid MDF, but he swears their CNC can get sharp details and it is not an easily nicked location, so the idea seems to have merit even with the outside corners – any of you use MDF this way who can comment on the quality of the results?
I would install 1/2″ plywood sheathing before the MDF so there was something solid to fasten to for a TV, picture, etc., which would alleviate one concern, and I believe I can avoid visible nail holes, which would address another … anything else you would be thinking about if I went this route?
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quality
cnc work can be pretty impressive. If he wants to sell its talents, he should have you over for a trim joint sample. Most of these guys at the minimum can do your favorite college logo. Have a look
cnc mdf
I know the CNC can do anything they can program, it is the MDF that worries me ...
... the CNC crispness of lines I can go and see for myself, but repairs, installation method (because of nail holes), hanging things on it like TVs ...
Don't get me wrong, I use MDF sometimes (mainly as protected panels), but I'm not sure in this application and am looking for advice and experiences with it ...
thanks
cnc mdf
that is really helpful, thank you!
you're right, I doubt they can square the inside corner, but I'll ask them about that. MDF is not something I think chisling would work on, I'd think it would flake.
BTW, I generally agree about the MDF doors, but I have used TruStile and they are really nice and I will definitely use them again. They make stiles/rails/panels from MDF and put it all together for a crisp look. I believe the only wood part is on the hinge side, where they insert wood for the screws to hold to so they aren't trying to hold in MDF.
MDF can be used for shard details--including the corners
Check out these guys at:
http://www.wainscotingamerica.com/
I did a whole room in their wainscotting and it is gorgeous.
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