Can MDF be routed?

MDF is a composite material made from wood chips, sawdust, and glue. In construction, it is used for molding, as a structural component or to build up walls. It is also widely used in furniture making, floors, and paneling.

What is MDF?

MDF stands for medium-density fibreboard. It is a type of board that is used as a major building material in commercial, residential, and other construction projects. MDF is composed of fibers of cellulose or glass, or a combination of the two pressed together under pressure to form sheets. It can be made into many shapes and sizes, with different types having different strengths and durability properties.

Can MDF be routed?

You may not know it, but there are many people that would love to have an MDF edge on their shelves, tables, and doors. Unfortunately, most of us have to pay someone to cut it for us. MDF is also expensive and is time-consuming to cut by hand.

MDF is often used in various home and commercial applications. Its appearance varies with its thickness, density, and color. And the way it is cut may change the final look of a finished product. When routing MDF, you need to consider these factors before cutting the boards.

MDF can be routed, but it is not as simple as it sounds. It will take an edge shape, dado, or rabbit quite nicely. And, by routing it, it will become a more difficult material to work with. That is because it will be difficult to get it to fit all the way across the grain, and if there is any friction then it will become very hard to cut through. So, you may have to spend a bit of time routing MDF.

Is MDF hard on router bits?

For wood and other materials to be routed properly, choosing the right router bits is a critical step. It is extremely helpful to find a bit that fits your table saw, jointer, planer, lathe, and other woodworking tools. Routing with dull router bits will result in out of round holes. You will get out of round holes in your work if your router bits are too dull. You can avoid this problem by selecting the right bit.

In regards to MDF, does a bit work with MDF? You can’t directly say that MDF is suitable for routing. You can use your common sense as well. There is a difference between raw pine and manufactured wood. Customized wood is meant to be durable and long-lasting, so obviously, the bits will face an extra challenge against MDF. The highest quality bits are always managed against this.

Conclusion

Finally, routing MDF can be done, but only by taking it slow and easy. It will take time and an unconventional approach to get the material to fit. You’ll need to leave a bit of room in the shape so that the MDF can slide in. It is possible to need to file the edges down after routing them to make them fit properly. A neat, clean MDF edge isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it