Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-02-12 2:48 PM
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ckurak

Posts: 107

Joined: 2006-10-28
Location: Florida

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Subject : What substrate to use for slab doors.
Posted : 2007-05-29 10:36 AM
Post #33841
Greetings,

I am building an entertainment center in somewhat of an Art Deco style. There will be 4 inset slab doors (2 over 2). Each door is approximately 20" Wide by 23" High. The spacing (gap) between the doors and the frame, as well as the adjacent doors, is about 1/8" (3mm). Given the configuration, if the doors are not very flat, any warping will be quite obvious.

The veneer is rotary cut Curly Maple commercial veneer. I will be using the same veneer on both sides of the substrate for both veneering balance and appearance.

The question is what substrate to use. I am considering using light-weight MDF, laminating the veneers (using Unibond 800 with Unibond Blocker), trimming each door about 1/4" small, then gluing on 1/8" solid maple edge-banding on all four edges. I am trying to keep the weight down as the top pair of doors will be pocket doors and excessive weight on the pocket-door mechanism will likely cause the doors to sag. Will the light-weight MDF stay flat on that size door? Or, is there a better alternative?

Thanks in advance,

Charles


 
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Bruce Berman

Posts: 20

Joined: 2005-06-01
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa., USA

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Subject : RE: What substrate to use for slab doors.
Posted : 2007-05-29 10:54 AM
Post #33842 - In reply to #33841
Charles,
The light weigth MDF has poor screw holding properties which would be important for a pocket door that goes thru greater stresses than a regular door. Your door sizes are well within the range of operation for most quality pocket door mechanisms so sagging really should not be an issue. Regular MDF would be the best bet for stability since even high grade (?) plywood is not very flat these days.
Also, consider mitered pre-edging for your doors before veneering. If your cabinet is square the corners will line up and you will have doors that are more in tune with wth Art Deco.
Bruce Berman
Miracle Veneer Trimmer


 
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Michael Wilmot

Posts: 2

Joined: 2007-05-30
Location: Norwalk,CT 06854

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Subject : RE: What substrate to use for slab doors.
Posted : 2007-05-30 10:09 AM
Post #33843 - In reply to #33841
i agree we always wrap our core material with hardwood first this way u dont see any seams on the face I prefer to use a particle board core but both work well oversize your hardwood edge that way if your doors need trimming u have enough to take off



 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1454

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: What substrate to use for slab doors.
Posted : 2007-05-31 11:11 PM
Post #33851 - In reply to #33843
Michael,

I also agree with Bruce's recommendation on regular MDF instead of the ultralight . Besides the poor screw holding capability, I have talked with a number of customers that have had bonding trouble with this material. Personally I have never used the stuff but when more than two or three people tell me they're having problems with ultralight MDF as a veneering substrate I figure there's some kind of a common issue. Something to think about. At least do some tests if you are convinced about using it.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil
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