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Old 04-19-2020, 11:43 PM
Charlie Myres Charlie Myres is offline
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Default MDF for hammer-forms

Someone on here once posted that varnishing MDF increases its strength.

I thought this tip might be worthwhile for anyone making hammer-forms.

Someone on a foundry forum I visit, uses Medium Density Fibre-board (MDF) for pattern making. To eliminate most of the fibre dust and to also make the MDF much stronger, he soaks it in epoxy-resin and describes machining it as similar to turning plastic.

Someone else then added that he uses polyester-resin, which cures quicker and is a little bit cheaper.

I think I will experiment with this one day when I have the need. I wonder if it would stop MDF splitting so easily, when the end grain is nailed or screwed?

​​​​​​​Cheers Charlie
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Old 04-20-2020, 05:31 AM
tom wibaut tom wibaut is offline
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There is a product called medite which is exterior grade Mdf guaranteed for over 10yrs which might be tougher
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Old 04-20-2020, 06:33 AM
kcoffield kcoffield is offline
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Default Mdf

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Myres View Post
.....I wonder if it would stop MDF splitting so easily, when the end grain is nailed or screwed? ​​​​​​​Cheers Charlie
It will not noticeably improve in this regard. Although you will get some modest penetration of the end surfaces, it's not much, but it is sufficient to work the surface finish on the thin skin for foundry pattern work. I like MDF for trace and guide templates but not hammer forms.

As opposed to MDF, try using the synthetic composite planking for deck surfaces. I had leftover boards and remnants from my deck project. It can be glued together with epoxy and machined with wood working tools with a little care. The stuff is very tough and will resist dents and deformation from hammer blows.

Best,
Kelly
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Old 04-20-2020, 08:20 AM
Ken Hosford Ken Hosford is offline
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I make doming dies for my pullmax out of mdf I love it works great I thin epoxy with less than ten percent xylene makes it penetrate , it is like painting drywall it just disappears , keep it up till it stops disappearing. I form stainless and titanium over these and they hold up amazingly well
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Old 04-20-2020, 09:12 AM
billfunk29 billfunk29 is offline
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Default MDF durability

I use a boat building product to penetrate epoxy into the MDF.

https://www.rotdoctor.com/products/p...tratingepoxies


I rough out the shape in the MDF and then penetrate prior to sanding the final shape. To save on the expensive epoxy sealer, I only seal the area that will be hammered on.
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Old 04-20-2020, 04:56 PM
Charlie Myres Charlie Myres is offline
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Great suggestions and recommendations from everyone

Cheers Charlie
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