fasteners for building boxes

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Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=102488
Printed Date: May 02, 2024 at 8:31 AM

Topic: fasteners for building boxes

Posted By: KPierson
Subject: fasteners for building boxes
Date Posted: February 23, 2008 at 9:31 PM

What kind of fasteners are people using to build MDF boxes?

I've always used drywall screws, but I recently upgraded to a full suite of pnuematic tools - including a brad nailer and a crown stapler.

I started a box tonight using 1" long 1/4" crown staples and they seem to be clamping fairly well (the material is 1/2" MDF).

Do brad nails offer any advantage over crown staples or vice versa?

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Kevin Pierson

Replies:

Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: February 26, 2008 at 4:02 AM

I use brads and wood glue. If the box is done properly and cuts are straight and clean, then the wood glue will seep into the MDF and shrink pulling the MDF panels together. I'll use screws once and a while, but I'm not TOO fond of them. If I use them, it's pre-drill, wood glue fill, then screws

As for using brads vs staples, I prefer brads for wood. They usually have more bite as far as I can tell and will hold the wood better.

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Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.

Posted By: alex_crys
Date Posted: February 26, 2008 at 7:15 PM

defintely use brads staples are good for upholestry or stretching fleece over to be resined.........brad nails with a good wood glue is ur best and strongest bet

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: February 26, 2008 at 7:20 PM

I ended up going with staples for both boxes and they did OK. My logic behind it is that the brads were textured to prevent backing out, but all the texturing was at the top of the brad - the textured part wouldn't have made it through the first sheet of MDF to grab the 2nd sheet. So, I figured since the staples had two arms on them that they must hold better! I also remember tearing a part an old MTX box many years ago and being surprised that they use staples to hold their boxes together.

So what exactly was I building? Enclosures for my inwall speakers that flank my soon to be completed 120" hd widescreen theater!

posted_image

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: jmelton86
Date Posted: March 12, 2008 at 12:15 AM

I like your TV! Two cardboard 42inchers side-by-side. Awesome. posted_image

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
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Posted By: boogeyman
Date Posted: April 03, 2008 at 6:13 PM

i prefer brads over anything........ if you are going to router the edges brads are small enough to router over and not damage the bit as opposed to drywall screws.and its alot faster.time is money

Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 03, 2008 at 7:52 PM

KPierson wrote:

So what exactly was I building? Enclosures for my inwall speakers that flank my soon to be completed 120" hd widescreen theater!

I just went through my CEDIA certification course and learned a whole lot about home theater and what I thought was home theater before I went through the course is pretty much thrown out the window. Are you finished the theater room yet ?

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: April 03, 2008 at 8:02 PM

No, it pretty much looks exactly like it does in the pictures. I've been very busy lately and haven't had much time to devote to it.

I'm doing the entire basement, so its about 1,000 sq. ft. of space - the theater room, a bed room (with egress window), a large storage/work room, a small work room and a full bathroom.

My next step is to build a custom inwall audio rack. It's going to be MDF based with polished aluminum rails to hold glass shelves. :)

My setup already has several major flaws, but for what it is for it will be great.

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Kevin Pierson