Turning MDF???

Rob -

I think you'll be better off with a circle cutting jig and a band saw.

I have never turned MDF but why I would not: MDF has no supporting grain so you'd just be chipping off wood, I doubt you'd wind up with a clean edge. More dust than using a bandsaw, you'll have to remove more material. Bandsaw with a circle cutting jig should be quicker.

Christian Brink

I stay away from materials like MDF that outgas formaldehyde. Dan

never tried turning MDF, but years ago I needed to turn several rounds from laminated marine plywood.. I think they were 5" rounds and about

I used mostly surforms and sand paper... didn't want to risk my chisels on it and it "grated" better than it turned..

As you probably guessed, it was a favor for a friend.. Mac

Rob,

You do need to keep your tools sharp when turning MDF. It's some pretty nasty stuff, but with a sharp tool it cuts like "perfect" wood (which does not exist, or course).

I was turning a ceiling medalion out of MDF (that was going to be painted) and on one cut noticed a long stream of "wood" shooting over my shoulder. Out of curiosity my daughter and I streached it out in the yard and it measured about 94 feet long!

When turning MDF or any manufactured wood product use proper ventillation and dust extraction (as you should for all woodworking where dust is created).

Good luck, Turner

I'm with Turner on this. I turn a great deal of MDF, and find it excellent for some kinds of work - anything painted and not too thin. It finishes quite smooth from the tool, takes detail reasonably well, sands easily and is very consistent. It does tend to delaminate if you aren't careful.

Everything the other posts said about blunting tools and dust is right on. It can be shear cut perfectly well, but the tools get blunt so quickly that I mostly scrape it. I keep several duplicate tools and use them till all are blunt.

The long shavings are a nuisance - they shoot across the shop and pile up on shelves etc, so I use a screen.

The only thing I turn out of MDF is vacuum chucks. It does NOT chip...with a sharp edge on your tool, it cuts very easily. No grain direction to worry about so you can cut any which way you want. VERY dusty, though.

Peter Teubel Milford, MA

I have glued a number of bits of MDF together and then turned bowls from it.

Yes the dust is a problem but you should have a dust extractor in your shed anyway.

It will blunt your tools, it is a good idea to have sharp tools to start with.

MDF can be sanded but don't try to use 40 grit it tends to tear the MDF, Use a grit that will do the job for you a little bit more gentle.

I and others have used MDF often and for a number of turning jobs eg: backing plates, waste on the bottom of bowls.

But make sure you get the dust out of the air you breath in and into a dust bag.