Gold Screws Into MDF

[Onoff]

Making a quick bedside table for No2 daughter in 18mm MDF. Space for her laptop, a shelf and bottle holder. She dictated how she wanted it. It'll be primed then roller painted black, probably with Bedec barn pain.

 

I've glued with Gorilla glue and screwed with  4mm Goldscrews. Screw heads counter-bored as a feature and will be filled. (One joint is tbh just Gorilla glue so currently sat weighted down with some heavy books). 

 

 

 

Done now but one thing I never know, is there a need, particularly in MDF, to pilot drill first before screwing? I always do tbh. 

[joe90]

5 minutes ago, Onoff said:

Done now but one thing I never know, is there a need, particularly in MDF, to pilot drill first before screwing? I always do tbh. 

Depends on the size of screw, I prefer to pilot the “first piece” with the countersink in it so that the pieces are pulled together, but the other only if the screw diameter is likely to split the MDF. Long thin screws is my preferred choice in MDF in that sort of joint.

Edited March 14, 2021 by joe90

[Onoff]

Just now, joe90 said:

Long thin screws is my preferred choice in MDF in that sort of joint.

 

Ta. I used 4x50s. 

[Onoff]

Counter-bored and filled my screw holes, deliberately, as I'm aiming for them flush.

 

 

This is the primer I used, an old tin and I've no idea what sort of paint it is:

 

 

Smells like "proper" paint and just about washes out with copious Fairy liquid and hot water. 

 

Looking for something I can fill over the top of the primer. Any ideas?

 

 

[CC45]

more primer?

 

3.5 x 50mm is my normal screw into 18mm MR MDF

[Onoff]

1 minute ago, CC45 said:

more primer?

 

3.5 x 50mm is my normal screw into 18mm MR MDF

 

I'll see what it looks like with a second coat. 

 

Guessing you don't pilot?

[CC45]

yes I do - really annoying when it splits - near the ends are the worst.

 

table looks good ?

 

 

[Onoff]

1 minute ago, CC45 said:

yes I do - really annoying when it splits - near the ends are the worst.

 

table looks good ?

 

 

 

Wickes MDF, horrible stuff, like compressed dog fur.

 

I've had better quality MDF cover board.

[CC45]

I only use MR MDF for making stuff - denser & edges better to paint.

[TonyT]

16 minutes ago, CC45 said:

I only use MR MDF for making stuff - denser & edges better to paint.

Agree much nicer end grain to finish off 

[ToughButterCup]

On 14/03/2021 at 12:08, Onoff said:

...

Done now but one thing I never know, is there a need, particularly in MDF, to pilot drill first before screwing? I always do tbh. 

 

Yes.

Here's why. A short playlist of all the videos Peter Millard has made about the issue of screws and MDF.

Ian

[Onoff]

2 hours ago, CC45 said:

I only use MR MDF for making stuff - denser & edges better to paint.

 

That's the harder stuff with a greenish tinge?

[TonyT]

Yep