MDF is a medium-density fiberboard widely used in the production of furniture, doors and door mouldings, in interior decoration, as well as in construction. But is it possible to plan MDF, and what factors should be taken into consideration?
The simple and short answer is yes, MDF can be planed. However, the hard fiber structure of MDF can prevent a planer from smoothly removing chips from the surface, which can cause the fibers to break and tear, damaging the surface. It can also affect tool life by dulling the blade.
This article provides a detailed guide to planing MDF with a discussion of factors to consider when planing, as well as some alternatives to planing MDF.
DIFFICULTIES IN PLANING MDF
MDF can certainly be planed, but planing MDF can be more difficult than planing plywood or other materials. This is due to its dense, fibrous structure and the presence of a resin-based binder, which makes it difficult to remove the material from the surface. The high glue content and firmly bonded wood fibers make it difficult to plan MDF, damaging and blunting the planing knives over time.
Therefore, the use of unsuitable tools or improper planing can damage the surface of the MDF board, making it unusable. In addition, the resin in MDF contains urea-formaldehyde, which is a toxic substance, and the dust produced by planing MDF can cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANING MDF?
A COMPARISON BETWEEN PLANING WITH A PLANER AND A HAND PLANER
Manual planing involves using a hand planer, which is cheaper than a planer, but takes more effort and time.
While a planer can provide the ability to plan the MDF surface quickly, a hand planer allows you to feel the feedback from the surface being planed and adjust the planing force accordingly.
As a result, the hand planer minimizes the risk of damaging the MDF workpiece during planing.
If, in your case, you need to plan a large surface to reduce the thickness of the MDF sheet, we recommend using a planer.
However, when planing MDF, regardless of the type of equipment used, maintain a shallow depth of cut to avoid tearing the fibers and damaging the workpiece.
BLADE REQUIREMENTS WHEN PLANING MDF
When planing MDF, always use a sharp blade to prevent damage to the surface.
Depending on your requirements, use the proper blade angle that determines the depth of cut. Use a greater blade angle for deeper cuts and vice versa.
Make sure that the depth of cut is not too deep, as this can damage the inner layers of the MDF and dull the tool blades.
WORKPIECE CLAMPING
Always ensure that the MDF workpiece is properly clamped to the work table.
Properly securing the workpiece ensures minimal vibration during planing, preventing damage to the workpiece and possible injury.
CONSEQUENCES OF PLANING MDF
Planing exposes pores and voids in the layers of the MDF workpiece, so always use a primer to cover these holes before painting the surface.
A minimum of two coats of paint are required after planing the MDF, as the first coat soaks into the surface and the second adheres to it, ensuring an even coating.
In general, MDF has a certain amount of water resistance and can withstand a little water exposure without significant damage.
However, planing the MDF exposes its pores, and any exposure to water will cause moisture to seep through these pores, damaging the MDF workpiece.
A planer is usually preferred for planing the edges or sides of the MDF workpiece, but if your case requires planing the face of a large MDF sheet, another tool is recommended.
To reduce the thickness of a large sheet, it is usually advisable to use a cutting or sanding tool to remove the necessary amount of material, followed by machining to improve the surface quality.
ALTERNATIVES TO PLANING MDF
Generally, it is not necessary to plan the face of MDF to reduce its thickness. However, if the need arises, there are several alternative methods that can be used to remove the necessary amount of material and then finish the surface as desired.