I will be constructing a utility cabinet for my shop, and have a question about using MDO plywood for this project. I have never used MDO plywood and need to know whether it will be compatible with my plans before buying and cutting a couple of sheets.
I need to cover the top with a plastic laminate (e.g. Formica). Will contact adhesive adhere to the the surface of this plywood? I will paint the project when complete. How do I prepare the surface for painting, and what type of paint is best to use (e.g. oil or latex)? I presume that the joinery is made and glued the same as with any quality plywood.
I confess to have heard about the material from, yes, the New Yankee Workshop (forgive me). It seems to be stronger than MDF but cheaper than birch plywood. As such, it seems to be the perfect material for utility cabinets, and some shop jigs. As I can’t buy this from my local home centers, I haven’t yet experimented with it. Before I commit to buying it from a lumber yard, I would like to know a little more about it.
Thanks for your help.
Replies
MDO translates to Medium Density (fiberboard) Overlay If you've ever used MDF you have the answers. Let us know how you like it, I've never used the stuff.
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Edited 8/1/2002 3:03:24 PM ET by ELCOHOLIC
To answer your questions.
Yes, contact adhesive will adhere to either the resin paper or the wood side.
The resin paper side is ready to paint with whatever you want. No special preparation is required whether you use an oil or waterborne product. The wood side can be painted with anything also, it just won't be as smooth. Edges need to be treated just as in any plywood.
Use any joinery that you would for standard plywood which is what MDO is. It's just standard exterior glue plywood with a resin impregnated paper adhered to one side but you can get two side paper if you order it.
Bert, MDO costs $45.00 a sheet [4x8] here in south jersey, MDF $15.00 , I would use MDF for interior use and MDO for exterior use. Mdf is very good for laminates. Never used MDO for laminates
I wish I could get MDO for $48 (3/4 x 4 x 8) for use on jigs, etc. The cheapest I've seen it in Houston was about 70 a sheet.
Anyone in the Houston area know of a cheaper source?
Hi Bert,
Contrary to what said Elcoholic, MDO is not paper covered MDF. MDO is a sort of grade B plywood covered on one side with a paper. The paper is impregnated with a phenolic resin to make it water resistant so it can be used outside to make road panels or deck flooring. Even if it can be covered with a laminate or painted, from my point of view, there is no reason to use this kind of panel to build cabinets that will never be exposed to rain.
FYI, I've never used MDO, only heard Norm describe it and passed it on, quite possibly erroniously. He was raving about how it had the structural properties of plywood and the finishing qualities of MDF. I think it was the laundry center episode. Anyway you picqued my curiosity and I did a little web surfing and found these 3 descriptions at http://www.phillipsplywood.com
MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard: A material consisting of a wood fiber - resin combination formed into a homogenous mat of random fiber orientation, then hot pressed and finished. It can be machined or sanded to a smooth finish.
MDO or Medium Density Overlay is an exterior type plywood finished with an opaque resin treated fiber overlay to provide a smooth surface ideal as a paint base. It is recommended for siding and other outdoor applications and for signs and displays.
Overlay panels generally consist of a decorative paper or vinyl material bonded to particleboard or medium density fiberboard.
The same description of resin and fibers is used to describe MDF and MDO. I found another product called Overlay that mentioned a vinyl or Melamine . Could be a couple of different products here with similar or regional names? I'd just like to know for sure, I don't use sheetgoods all that much anyway.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled