Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Gluing primed MDF.

  1. #1

    Gluing primed MDF.

    Hello. I am considering making a torsion workbench and was eyeing the 1x4 mdf boards at the box stores for their consistency in width. I could rip them on my t-saw, but I figured the 1x4's would be more precise in case I get any drift on my rip cuts.

    All the boards I see at the local big box stores they are pre-primed. I assume I would need to do a light sanding to remove the primer to get glue to stick to the edges of these boards? Or does Tightbond work on primed material well?

    Thanks.
    Jeff

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    10,305
    Titebond does not glue well to painted surfaces.

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Jamie Buxton View Post
    Titebond does not glue well to painted surfaces.
    Yeah, that was about what I thought too. I'll just make my own with the tablesaw

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    New Westminster BC
    Posts
    2,981
    If you are concerned about ripping 1" MDF sheets on your table saw (I wouldn't want to do it on my saw), you could buy the 1 x 4's and just skim off half a saw curf on your table saw to get rid of the paint. More expensive than starting with a 4 x 8 sheet but easier on the back.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Garson View Post
    If you are concerned about ripping 1" MDF sheets on your table saw (I wouldn't want to do it on my saw), you could buy the 1 x 4's and just skim off half a saw curf on your table saw to get rid of the paint. More expensive than starting with a 4 x 8 sheet but easier on the back.
    when I say 1x4 mdf, they're actually 3/4" thick. Yeah, I hear you on the labor side. I would probably have it ripped into thirds (32") at the shop, then in half (16") on the saw, then do 3.5" rips.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    New Westminster BC
    Posts
    2,981
    Yes, that should work ( I assume by shop you mean the store you buy the MDF at) although I have heard some stores won't cut MDF on their panel saws due to the fine dust.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Garson View Post
    Yes, that should work ( I assume by shop you mean the store you buy the MDF at) although I have heard some stores won't cut MDF on their panel saws due to the fine dust.
    Interesting -- didn't know that. I'll need to ask next time I'm there. I know HD and L both have dust collection on their saws, but I'll ask.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,696
    Don't assume those pre-primed MDF boards at the home center are all exactly the same width...and for a torsion box that is dead flat, they really do need to be absolutely spot on.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    New Westminster BC
    Posts
    2,981
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker View Post
    Don't assume those pre-primed MDF boards at the home center are all exactly the same width...and for a torsion box that is dead flat, they really do need to be absolutely spot on.
    That's easily resolved by recutting them to remove the paint and set the width.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff C Johnson View Post
    Hello. I am considering making a torsion workbench and was eyeing the 1x4 mdf boards at the box stores for their consistency in width. I could rip them on my t-saw, but I figured the 1x4's would be more precise in case I get any drift on my rip cuts.

    All the boards I see at the local big box stores they are pre-primed. I assume I would need to do a light sanding to remove the primer to get glue to stick to the edges of these boards? Or does Tightbond work on primed material well?

    Thanks.
    Jeff
    Keep in mind the primer isn't just on the surface, it's penetrated into the MDF and you would have sand deep enough to remove that before you could use any PVA glue. About the only adhesive you could use would be epoxy but you would still need to remove most of the primer.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Annapolis
    Posts
    58
    Quote Originally Posted by Edward Dyas View Post
    Keep in mind the primer isn't just on the surface, it's penetrated into the MDF and you would have sand deep enough to remove that before you could use any PVA glue. About the only adhesive you could use would be epoxy but you would still need to remove most of the primer.
    And that primer can vary in thickness & can be quite brittle.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    490
    I would just use my track saw for this on full sized sheets. I would use a stop block or measure and mark with a knife to get accurate cuts. Could contain the majority of the dust that way. If no track saw I would rough cut out in the driveway and then rip on the table saw for finished edges.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •