Why should I have two MFT/3's ?

[paul_david_thomas]

Stair cases is your answer... Well, anything long that you need to run the router over LOTS...

The jig was 50 pounds - which is a LOT less than Trend or other such resellers - UK of course... Sorry to those over the pond....

www.chippyshop.co.uk
www.chippyshop.co.uk/Worktop_Jigs/Stair_Jig.html

It took a day to do the stair case, one sheet of 25mm MDF and two stringers - actually 28mm rather than a little larger which (I think) is the norm. In the UK  it would normally (In Winchester) take 3 weeks and perhaps ?300-?400...

Stairs clamped being set up
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Glue up
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Needed to make a door lining for a 55kg door - went for some sawn and treated 2x7, put the RO150 onto it and got it looking lovely before building a lining from it.
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[AlexThePalex]

Is MDF strong enough for a staircase? I've never seen it used before like that.

 

[paul_david_thomas]

The stringers were normal timber. MDF is fine for the goings. It's only 800mm wide too. It's not shown any signs of problems (deflection) yet... And that's with three pretty big guys going up and down it with materials (Plasterboard/Cement...) all fine...

Equally, we are finishing the stairs with 15mm engineered flooring - walnut 5mm, ply's 10mm....

MDF is just fine...

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Is MDF strong enough for a staircase? I've never seen it used before like that.

Not in my house....but I am a "full grown" ol boy that has even broken through 1 1/2" pine steps although they were end nailed and not rebated into the stringers.

I would sure feel better about these steps with a couple of more stringers supporting them from the backside....

Best,
Todd ;D

 

[jonny round boy]

It's common practice here in the UK to use MDF for stair treads & risers - usually 25mm treads, 12mm risers - especially when price is an issue.

 

[paul_david_thomas]

My risers are in ply, as the MDF would not stand the kicking they will get. But cost is an issue !! Actually, even if I got them made, they would only do them in MDF, so might as well do them myself !!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Paul and Jonny we're starting to see MDF treads sold at our home improvement centers here in the States. I don't think I'd use them because there isn't that much of a price difference to justify using a lesser material. 

Paul thanks for taking the time to post your project, I love seeing these kinds of photos and it's always fun to see how things are done on the other side of the Atlantic. Nice Job! How about some more pictures of your CMS?

 

[justinmcf]

thanks for the photos paul. mdf is a standard material for staircases here in australia too. i have never had an issue with mdf. great material, just dont inhale!

regards, justin.

 

[John Stevens]

thanks for the photos paul. mdf is a standard material for staircases here in australia too. i have never had an issue with mdf. great material, just dont inhale!

Yeah (see my sig line), and don't let 'em get wet, either.  I guess covering them with something that's water resistant is very important.

Regards,

John

 

[paul_david_thomas]

To be honest, i should have used MR (Moisture Resistant) MDF... But I didn't. However, I have kept water away from them and they seem to have stood up well. I've got one with a little split in it, so I will whack some glue into it.... This will stop any further splitting...

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Paul,

As Brice mentioned, it's nice to see photos of how work is done in other countries.  I just ordered another MFT so I can assemble long pieces, as well.

I tried the links to The Chippy Shop, but I didn't notice any tools being available there.  ;D

 

[bakersfieldpro]

Paul,

There is another reason for two MFT/3's (or MFT's) - mounting tools BETWEEN the tables.   Jerry Work posted in interesting tutorial on his site: http://www.jerrywork.com/ ("Tutorials --> Mounting routers...").

Regards,

Pro.

 

[paul_david_thomas]

I've done something similar...

This image shows (just) my edgebander slung between the two MFT/3's... The set up was, cut the board (small bits only) on one, edge them off in the middle and the trim the edging off on the final MFT/3 - after clamping... I could have done with the VAC system, it would have been spot on....

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