bekandcurt

We have decided to router our own 'rosettes' and plinth blocks, because we prefer a simple, clean style and want it to be custom. It will be painted, so we intended to use something inexpensive like pine...but the tear out on the end grain is terrible and it's impossible to get smooth even filling and sanding it. We have the luxury of being able to use whatever wood we need to (within reason) since it will be painted. Although, it will be painful to paint over a beautiful piece of wood.

Is there a better choice for the wood, that will give us a cleaner edge on the end grain routered pass? I was hoping we could find a little expertise here.

Thanks so much, in advance.

Rebekah

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Joe Lyddon

W e l c o m e . . A b o a r d !!

Do NOT use Pine!

Poplar is your best bet, IMHO... Nice to cut and work with...

You will like it...

I get mine at a local 'wood products' shop... NOT a bigorg!

bobj3

Hi bekandcurt

I would recommend you use MDF ,you will not need to deal with the grain and it will takes paint very well...many mfg. are now using it to for painted molding.


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Bj

Joe Lyddon

Yep, MDF would work... if you want to put up with it's horrible dust and ability to dullen bits... Might get a cleaner cut w/o grain concerns...
I still like Poplar... but that's me...

kp91

If a lot of pieces to be made, I'm with Bob, use the MDF- cuts great and cheap.

Just a couple of pieces to be made, I'd second Joe on Poplar (I just like REAL wood better, but it can get expensive.

I use a shopvac with drywall bags in it when working with MDF. Very little dust gets thru the bags, and cleaning the shopvac when it is full is a lot less messy. The bags cost a bit more than regular bags, but they're worth it. The bags also keep the filter in the vacuum from plugging up with the dust.


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Doug
1 John 1:9

Woodnut65

Hi Rebekah, and welcome to the forum. I would suggest poplar it easy to work with and paints up very well. Woodnt65

bekandcurt

Thanks for the input! Actually, the MDF sounds like a GREAT idea. We have about 100 'rosettes' and 55 plinth blocks to do - so it's going to be an undertaking for sure!

I don't think I've seen that fine MDF sold anywhere though? I think we'll need 5/4 stock. What kind of places do you usually find it?

Thanks so much, all of you, for your replies! I really appreciate the help! I'll try to pist how they turn out! Have a great weekend!

Rebekah

bekandcurt

My husband will undoubtedly lean toward the 'real wood' option, but I am having a hard time finding 5/4 stock in anything at all. The MDF was easy. I tracked it down at a local buidling supply (the box stores only carry particle board, not MDF?).

$41/sheet. My only concern is that he said that is is 'just MDF'. There is no fine grain. He said that MDF is the 'powdery sawdust' type grain, as opposed to particle board, which is rougher. I am going to have to have them order this in, so I am a little concerned about getting the right material without seeing it.

Does that sound like the right stuff? Thank you!

kp91

Rebekah,

My Home Depot has 4x8 MDF for around $20 a sheet. You want the dark brown stuff, it is very fine, no visible wood chunks in it. It can be heavy in a full sheet, so make sure they cut it in half for you (they give you 1 cut free) on the panel saw. Or if you just want to try out a few rossettes, they sell 2' x 4' panels for about $8.

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Doug
1 John 1:9

bobj3

Doug is right on

4/5 is not big deal just a bit of glue in a roller and you have 5/4 stock ,you are going to paint it right ?, glue and then cut/rip your parts out and then to the drill press press for the rossette job.

Don't use particle board that stuff is nasty and will chip out and will not take paint well but the MDF is sawdust in a way but not true sawdust ,it's fine chip wood you could say...that is made with a 300 to 500 ton press, neat stuff for the woodworker I use it all the time....some call it's sign board because it takes paint so well and it's smooooth unlike other man made woods....

Here's a snapshot of what the MDF looks like ( 1/2" in this picture)
This router table is 95% MDF. the top is 4/4 MDF with a 1/4" Plastic Top.
http://www.routerforums.com/attachme...table-6919.jpg


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Bj