Cutting MDF

[Vivek]

Hi all,
I was wondering if I will get accurate and straight cuts on MDF with my disc grinder, with a proper guide to cut in a straight line. Or should I use something like a jigsaw machine, which I do not have. This is for a Vifa floorstander project.
Thanks in advance.
Vivek

[Peter Daniel]

I was cutting bricks with my disc grinder and the cuts were very accurate, so it is possible in MDF as well, but I would not recommend it. Using a blade designed for wood on a grinder is like asking for trouble.

The best way is to use a circular saw with a proper guide ( a straight board is good enough). And you meke the cuts on the other side.

[Vivek]

Thanks.

[uvodee]

being a hard core restorer of wooden boats,
here is my 2 cents:
on the cut side place some painter's tape
use a nice blade (carbide pointed teeth) and a fair amount of teeth!
for an 8" i use minimum 32 T

also always make sure that as many teeth as possible are in the wood/board any given time during the process
let me explain this
the board as an example is 3/4 think then set the depth of about 26/32 or anything in that neighborhood . (in cm if your board is 2 cm thick, then set the depth of the bald at 2,20 or 2,30 cm-not more!!!!!)
Do not set the depth of the blade at 1" or more, the teeth that are under the board do not do anything except when they come back up ... and yes they can chip even more and also reduce speed because they are hitting the board twice.

I hope I have not made it too complicated! Otherwise I will try to make a draing of this phenomenon....
I WOULD NEVER NEVER use a grinder with a saw blade.
a grinder does minimum 11.000 rpm (very minimum) a regular sawblade can be used up to 3.300 rpm, if you use it at higher speed the vlade may a) break =and you may be dead! b) the mdf will start smoking/burning due to the friction = no way you will be able to hold the blade in a 90* angle on the wood so the wood will darken on the side and ......

J-P
as I said just my 2 pennies!

ever made a cat bark as a dog? freeze the cat, then pour gasoline over it and light it up , the cat will go wooooooooof!!!!!

[Vivek]

Do not set the depth of the balde at 1" or more, the teeth that are under the board do not do anything excpet when they come back up ... yes they can chip even more and also reduce speed because you are hitting the board twice.

So if I am not careful while cutting, the blade may chip the edges of the board that have already been cut, right?

By the way, I am thinking of buying something like this http://www.electrexpowertools.com/products/c2.htm

Vivek

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

Why don't you buy a saw that made for cutting wood?

[moses]

Even table saws are down to under $200. With a home-made cross cut jig and a couple of helpers you could have perfectly straight lines to exactly what you want.

[Vivek]

Maybe I should buy a good wood saw. Thanks for all your help.

[uvodee]

Originally posted by Vivek


So if I am not careful while cutting, the blade may chip the edges of the board that have already been cut, right?

correct!

Originally posted by Vivek


By the way, I am thinking of buying something like this http://www.electrexpowertools.com/products/c2.htm

Vivek

no this machine makes 12.000 rpm 4 times more than you can have for sawing wood! you will set the wood on fire and consequently you will have a lot of wood but not useable !!!

J-P

[uvodee]

Originally posted by Bill Fitzpatrick
Why don't you buy a saw that made for cutting wood?

this guy lives in India!

not easy to find decent material for a reasonable Indian price.

I wonder if he's not better of going to a place where they cut the wood/mdf according to his specs and I suggest he stands next to the wood just to be sure!


J-P