Do we have too many tools?
- Thread starter bobfog
- Start date
bobfog said:
A kitchen and some other furniture should be fine, but LVL joists, LVL framing, ply or chipboard floor, composite or engineered wood flooring, ply or chipboard on the walls, mdf skirting, mdf architrave and mdf scotia all combined could pose a problem for some people.
I like to use MDF for shop table tops because of its strong tendency to be and stay flat, which is nice. I have a few 2x2 foot tables that I made by cutting a 2x4 foot MDF sheet in half then creating a frame out of 2x3s to put underneath it. I use pocket holes to screw the frame together then glue the MDF to the frame. I do that for a top and a shelf, then screw 2x3 legs to the sides of the frames to create the tables.
They are simple and can be created very quickly as nice little utility tables for shop use.
I don't think I would ever want to use MDF in kitchen or bathroom cabinets though - my limited and unfortunate experience has been that it doesn't look good at all when it gets wet.
They are simple and can be created very quickly as nice little utility tables for shop use.
I don't think I would ever want to use MDF in kitchen or bathroom cabinets though - my limited and unfortunate experience has been that it doesn't look good at all when it gets wet.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
Hi Everyone
I will try and do something on MDF and the risk later in the year. I agree with others that one should not get too hung up about it but it is better to have some facts and figures so that people can make an informed decision.
I seem to remember from my dust study a while ago that it is not so much the particle size but the formaldehyde that poses the risk. I also remember being told that MR MDF and higher quality MDF/HDF has much less formaldehyde in it.
Once MDF is painted or coated then the problem does disappear.
Peter
I will try and do something on MDF and the risk later in the year. I agree with others that one should not get too hung up about it but it is better to have some facts and figures so that people can make an informed decision.
I seem to remember from my dust study a while ago that it is not so much the particle size but the formaldehyde that poses the risk. I also remember being told that MR MDF and higher quality MDF/HDF has much less formaldehyde in it.
Once MDF is painted or coated then the problem does disappear.
Peter
Peter Parfitt said:
You're absolutely right, Peter.
I enquired about this a few years ago when I made some book cases and built in furniture for a client who suffered from quite a few allergies. I was told that something like Medite Premier has less nasty chemicals, the adhesive used to manufacturer it is of a higher quality reducing outgassing and finally a quality MDF primer and a coat or two of paint almost entirely seals any outgassing.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
Hi Bob
That is very reassuring that I am not miss-remembering (or going senile !).
I have now contacted the Medite people and asked them if they would provide some information and some sample materials so that I can make a video. With luck, I might get something done before the autumn.
Cheers.
Peter
That is very reassuring that I am not miss-remembering (or going senile !).
I have now contacted the Medite people and asked them if they would provide some information and some sample materials so that I can make a video. With luck, I might get something done before the autumn.
Cheers.
Peter
Brent Taylor
Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2014
- Messages
- 471
I was doing a job the other day, I had 3 router tables setup and 4 other set with different cutters, plus a TS, chop box and a jigsaw. That might be too many, but if you got them use them. But to get to your question, your coworkers attitude reflects the problem with the trades and the way that other veiw members of our trade. My advice would be to take pride in your work, let it show in your workmanship and remember that the few extra minutes you take are the one you save latter, when your work has no callbacks. I have lived that way of a long time and it has held true for me. Keep up the good work and try to keep up your pride in your work ( that's the hard job).
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
My son has just had a new kitchen installed by a company from the North of England.
They provided the most sensible quote. Their representatives who were involved in the design stage took their time and made the most amazingly accurate drawings of the part 17th century kitchen. Their installation team were fantastic. I have never seen such high quality work in any kitchen install. Everything from the attention to detail in the cupboard design, the quality of the work back at base and then the care on site is remarkable.
If I find out the name of the company I will post it here.
As I was unloading my Festool gear a few days later to do some other small jobs the decorator told me that the kitchen crew used nothing but Festool. He also said that they took their time and paid a lot of attention to the detail - it shows.
Peter
Peter
They provided the most sensible quote. Their representatives who were involved in the design stage took their time and made the most amazingly accurate drawings of the part 17th century kitchen. Their installation team were fantastic. I have never seen such high quality work in any kitchen install. Everything from the attention to detail in the cupboard design, the quality of the work back at base and then the care on site is remarkable.
If I find out the name of the company I will post it here.
As I was unloading my Festool gear a few days later to do some other small jobs the decorator told me that the kitchen crew used nothing but Festool. He also said that they took their time and paid a lot of attention to the detail - it shows.
Peter
Peter
McNally Family
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2016
- Messages
- 613
Peter Parfitt said:
Your right about the formaldehyde issue. Just ask "Lumber Liquidators" what their thoughts are on the subject. As for the unsuspecting customers who had that Chinese wood flooring installed in their homes, I doubt they would settle for some sort of "sealer", as a settlement. The last I heard, they were suing to have the floors ripped out and replaced.
Of course, if the problem is anything like the Asbestos issues of the past, disturbing the product might be worse than living with it! Of course, when resale time comes, you will have a problem.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
The company that lent me the dust measuring kit should by now have formaldehyde measuring apparatus. I will send them an email later in the week and see if they can let me borrow it. I think the formaldehyde side of things may be tricky because I may not be able to get a wide enough selection of sample materials to provide any meaningful observations or advice.
I am certainly not going to China !
Peter
I am certainly not going to China !
Peter
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 13,126
I have been guilty of purchasing too many duplicates of hand tools when one goes on temporary furlough. I have also bought other tools in anticipation of needing them to do a task in the future.
Case in point. Today I am using a Bridge City Tools DJ-! drill jig that prior to today was new in the box. Purchase date - 2010.
Peter
Case in point. Today I am using a Bridge City Tools DJ-! drill jig that prior to today was new in the box. Purchase date - 2010.
Peter
An old gentleman told me once. If there is an error of 1/4 inch in a foundation you will suffer with it all the way up to the roof.
My own thought is there are to many of the other guy out there. Consequently the customers don't know any better. However I will never become one of the other Guys.
My own thought is there are to many of the other guy out there. Consequently the customers don't know any better. However I will never become one of the other Guys.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
bobfog said:
I did chat to them briefly and their kit was not suitable for me to borrow. I did discover (from various sources) that MR MDF, especially the better quality stuff, is very much lower in Formaldehyde. I only buy MR MDF although the core of the veneered MDF is not MR.
Peter
Ive always found this discussion interesting as im one of few carpenters in my area using anything festool. Most others scoff at the price and the idea of dust collection on the job site.
The fact is, it just depends. Less than half of what i do really benefits from the quality and cleanliness provided by my festool system. The rest is "cut it free hand and nail the crap out of it" work. And i work on high-end custom homes where u might expect otherwise.
I only roll out my stack when i feel its necessary because in some cases its true, these tools will slow you down. Its just a matter of bringing the right thing for the job. If ur in doors and need straight, joinery ready crosscuts, and hidden joinery then bring out a dom and ts. If youre outside and its boxes that could easily be freehand cut and screwed together, do that.
Its all about the value to the customer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
The fact is, it just depends. Less than half of what i do really benefits from the quality and cleanliness provided by my festool system. The rest is "cut it free hand and nail the crap out of it" work. And i work on high-end custom homes where u might expect otherwise.
I only roll out my stack when i feel its necessary because in some cases its true, these tools will slow you down. Its just a matter of bringing the right thing for the job. If ur in doors and need straight, joinery ready crosscuts, and hidden joinery then bring out a dom and ts. If youre outside and its boxes that could easily be freehand cut and screwed together, do that.
Its all about the value to the customer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
