So, I’m designing my new office, and workstation. I don’t get into cabinetry much, and would like to know what would be a good substrate for my new counter/desk area ? I was thinking about usding some MDO. What do you think ?
How about the surface material ? Formica ?
Replies
I meant MDF! See, hardly know my cabinet materials !
MDF is not as stiff as the same thickness of plywood. A long span of it will sag more than plywood will. On top of that, MDF creeps. That is, over time its sag will increase, while plywood will not. Big manufacturers use MDF because it is less expensive than plywood, and materials are a big fraction of their costs. For small shops, saving a few bucks per sheet is not significant, but the sag issue is.
What type of ply should I use then Jamie ? I do like the idea of using ply, and not MDF.
What kind of plywood? The flat kind.
That's only somewhat of a joke. Plywood intended for building houses is inexpensive, but the users don't need it to be flat. Therefore the manufacturers, distributors, and dealers don't worry about whether it is flat, and it often resembles a potato chip. In constrast, plywood intended for cabinetmaking is manufactured and distributed flat. I get mine from from a dealer that sells to cabinet shops, not house-builders. If you can find a dealer like this near you, it will be the best bet for flat stuff. If you can't find a dealer like this, look carefully at whatever you can find in your local lumber yard. Maybe you can find flat stuff there. Hardwood-veneer plywood is more likely to be flat than fir construction ply.
Why not verneered board ,say maple with solid, contrasting wood edging .Finished in poly .Laminates seem a bit sterile IMO
Joe,
While not as elaborate as yours, I built a workstation/desk using birch ply with maple edge-banding (birch ply being cheaper than maple). I wiped on a very light stain and topped it with polyurethane.
Check my website for pics.
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Well, I'm thinking I'd like a light colored desktop .. don't want the office too dark. That's why I was thinking about a laminate. Might be more durable too, but, I'm open for these suggestions !
How do I get to your site Mr Arnold ? When I go to your profile, and click on Visit Website, I go to Tauntons.
I build a lot of home offices, and I would say a laminate over an MDF substrate is the most bullet proof. You can dress it up by using a solid wood edging. Also, in their effort to compete with stone, the laminate people have come up with some very elegant offerings. If you decide you prefer a wood look, I would suggest a ply with an MDF backer (known in the bus as fiber core -- as opposed to veneer core). The veneer cores often have little voids, and can be punched through on a work surface. Also, you need to remember that the veneers on these plys are microscopically thin, so you will want to treat the surface very gently. I like your design. What's the cut out for -- to the left of the chair? Whatever it is, I like the varied depth of the work surface.
Click on my signature to go to my website. I've complained to SYSOP about the profile link, but it hasn't been fixed yet, obviously.Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Joe Wood ,
I would tend to agree with nikkiwood , a laminate surface for a desk top work area would be more durable then wood. Industry wide the majority of laminate is layed up on particle board or the equivalant .MDF would work , but I am not so sure what advantage it would offer . MDF is certainly heavier , but once in place the weight may be a moot piont , other than it may need more support . From your design my guess is the unit is approx,8' x 8' , so you will have at least one seam maybe two , have you decided where you will seam it up ? IMO furniture looks better with wood but office or serious work surfaces tend to hold up better with laminate .
good luck dusty
Actually, when used as a substrate for plastic laminate, MDF has no advantage over conventional particle board (and it is more expensive to boot). The ONLY reason I use is I have more use for the scraps and offcuts than I would with PB.
MDF is the way to go. If you want real durability and like the look of wood look at the link below. Even though they say it is medium duty wear, their standards are based on comercial/ retail standards, so for any office use it is very durable. I've used it on retail display cabinets, beauty salon fixtures, and office furniture. This stuff looks super. It has a finish that is better than any of the retail office furniture out there. They will send you free samples off their web site. Check them out, when you see the samples in person you will be impressed.
http://www.formica.com/productgroup.jsp?group_id=6
Mike
Plywood and MDF are poor substrates for laminate. You should use industrial particle board. It is specifically made for laminate work. It is not available at HD and do not use particle board underlayment.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
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