MDF Splitting
Printed From: the12volt.com
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=29512
Printed Date: May 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Topic: MDF Splitting
Posted By: nyguy4u
Subject: MDF Splitting
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 9:29 PM
I'm having a little problem making my box with 3/4 MDF. It seems whenever i'm screwing into the side of a piece of MDF, or near an edge, no matter how big or small the screw, it is splitting. Even if I drill a pilot hole before hand, it STILL splits!. Any suggestions??. Thanks!
Replies:
Posted By: 93accordSE
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 9:47 PM
I've had that problem, you have to just make sure you stay away from the edge, make sure you have alot of screws throughout the space but stay away from the edge. Make sure you caulk the inner part of the box and you will be fine. I've tried to take apart a box I made and it was soo hard to pry off the peice of MDF. I am now turning that box into a FG box. Good luck.
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Posted By: bryceyaworsky
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 9:51 PM
how big of a pilot hole are you making? When I'm pre-drilling holes I use a drill-bit that's a little smaller than the thread of the screw but a little larger than the shaft. This will minimize expansion in the hole while giving you maximum bite when the screw goes in.
Posted By: nyguy4u
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 9:52 PM
I agree, but in some cases you need to screw into the sides, ya know? Basically.. after it split, I put wood glue into the split, and I also lined every cut inside and outside the box with wood glue as well. It is stong as hell, and it doesnt flex filling in the splits with glue. Every seam outside of the box will be covered with 7 or so layers of glass anyway.. and I figured i'd line the inside with a layer or 2 as well. Guess after that's all done, the splitting will be something I wont have to worry about anyways.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 9:53 PM
i always use a drill-bit to pre drill that is the same size as the shaft, and never had any splitting
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: nyguy4u
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 10:01 PM
i've been using 1-1/4 screws. I'm worried when I screw my subs into the speaker rings, being that's near an edge. Would size drill bit would you say I should use to pre-drill for a 1-1/4 screw?
Posted By: bryceyaworsky
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 10:12 PM
If you do it right, you could sink a screw 1/16" from the edge with no problems. As to what size of a bit to use, I can't say... You've given the length, not the width. Are they #8's? #10's? If you give me the width I could tell you.
Posted By: nyguy4u
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 10:15 PM
thanks for the reply.. looking at the box.. it says "+10".. so i'm assuming they are #10's.
Posted By: fintheman
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 10:34 PM
Thats kind of wierd, I used alot of screws in different areas of my box that I just made and the MDF held up very well even when I was making it TIGHT. I guess its all about the quality of MDF that you use. -fin ------------- Serving the country, one coffee at a time.
USAF!
Posted By: nyguy4u
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 10:42 PM
I dunno. I bought the sheet of MDF at Home Depot. Was $17 for a sheet.
Posted By: bryceyaworsky
Date Posted: April 01, 2004 at 10:52 PM
It sounds more like the way you're putting the screws in. MDF is going to split if you don't pre-drill (I found this out the hard way, long ago). If you're screws are #10's, then you would use either 9/64 or 5/32 for a drill bit (or 25-27 if your bits are in wire guage), in my opinion. It's pretty easy to size them up, all you need to do is put the bit next to the screw and pick the one you want. Just remember to drill the entire depth that the screw is going in, no more. Do this by taping the length that you want on the bit. When you reach the tape while drilling, you've gone far enough.
Posted By: my12volts
Date Posted: April 04, 2004 at 6:22 PM
weird,....every time i pre-drill it never splits...
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