Router is still my name

Can the contact cement be used to glue two large sheets of MDF together?

I just wasted two days preparing, clamping two nice sheets of ¾” MDF using Gorilla glue and the lack of clamp pressure for the middle of boards let the glue in the middle expand
So even though the edges were clamped nice and tight the middle curved. So much for the new router tabletop. I always use Gorilla glue but what a mess..
Any way I’m going to try again and I’m thinking contact cement because of fast contact bond. The weight of the boards should do the trick?
Any advice would be appreciated.

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kp91

I've had great luck with titebond II glue when gluing up 2 sheets of MDF. I've used this approach on one of my earlier router tables, as well as my current work bench.

The technique I use is to clamp around the edges, and drive drywall screws in the center of the field (from the underside) to act as "clamps". If you're worried about having screws or screw holes in the bottom of your router table, just drive them in the area you are going to be cutting out for your insert plate.

When drilling holes like this in MDF, it is important to not only drill a pilot hole, but just slightly oversize the hole in the upper piece of stock. Otherwise, as the screw cuts into the lower piece, it could push material up and create the same void you were having using gorilla glue.

As for contact cement, I guess it would work, but just make sure that you leave one of your pieces OVERSIZED. In case you don't get your line up just perfect, you can chuck up a flush trim bit and no one will be the wiser.

Hope this helps,

__________________
Doug
1 John 1:9

jerrymayfield

You can use any of the normal woodworking glues;white,yellow,brown etc. I agree that your problem may have been the polyurethane glue. If you use screws either do as kp91 suggested or else run a counter sink bit into top and bottom of the top board. A lot of tops there.

Regards

Jerry

bobj3

Just my 2 cents

Contract cement would be a hard one to do because you will have a hard time with the air pockets.
This is would I would do if you are going to use Gorilla glue, like Doug said screw it down but I would clamp the center and I would use carr.bolts or all thread rod with 2" x 4" from side to side 2ea.
Just premark for the base plate and move in by 2" and then drill two holes drop in the carr.bolts or rod and put on the glue and clamp away.
Also use 2" x 4" on the outside edge when you clamp it up.

Screws in MDF will pull the stock up at that point.(lift the stock up at the screw hole, will not be flat without taking the screw out and sand the hole a bit)

You can use T-Bond glue also and clamp it the same way.

Bj

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AxlMyk

You could always park your car tire on the middle of the boards.. Put 2x10 or 12s on the top and bottom.. That way you can clamp the edges..

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Mike - Retired FoMoCo Tradesman
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bobj3

Hi Mike

I guess you could call that a FoMoCo 2 ton portable press..

Have a good weekend
Bj

__________________
PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm

Bob J.

AxlMyk

Lol.. That's how we made fenders for the Model A..

__________________
Mike - Retired FoMoCo Tradesman
My Gallery @ http://www.routerforums.com/axlmyks-stuff/

Router is still my name

Well, thanks for the advice. I made a second attempt using Gorilla again but spread thin
and light pressure from clamps on sides and about 60 pounds of weights in the middle. Turned out ok. Onward to part two. Cutting the miter track and plate opening. Pictures will follow when completed.

Mike

Contact cement works great for glueing up MDF or hardboard. Just be ready with a rolling pin to get the air out.

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Mike
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Router is still my name

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