"Interest in MDF in the USA?" Topic

I am thinking about getting a cutting laser soon and am dismayed by the lack of MDF available in the US. I have found a source of 2.5mm MDF but you have to sink a couple of grand into it to get ahold of it.

I'm wondering how many folks out are interested in getting some as well?

The reason I ask is that I can't use that much really, and if I can find folks that want some, I'm looking into ordering it and selling it through my webstore in smaller amounts. It will be pretty reasonably priced as my intention is to sell the amount I don't need rather than feed my family.

Just thought I'd start the conversation.

Are you talking about the 1/8 inch hard board MDF? I bought a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet at "Home Depot" for 8 bucks last week. They had a pile of the stuff. Or, am I mistaken?

Yeah, i have found MDF at hardware and hobby shops before. My local DIY store sells 2x2' and 2x4' sections in a variety of thicknesses from 1/8" up to 1/2".

Check for a local specialty wood supplier. Many of them stock it for the woodworking hobby and industry.

I don't know the benefits of MDF over actual wood, but Skull and Crown uses Birch plywood to laser cut their Wooden War soldiers out of.

I know Tom, the owner, has done a lot of research on different materials, and would probably be happy to share his info with you if you'd like.

Skipper John, MDF and Hardboard are two different things completely. They are made similarly and look much alike, but in a laser engraver they are two completely different animals.

My friend and I do this for a living (including for terrain) and are in the US. We pretty much stick with birch plywood for all our terrain as we have yet to find an affordable source for actual MDF. The hardboard you find in Homedepot etc. is very difficult to use in a laser. God knows we tried…and tried, and tried.

We run a 40 watt Epilog, and did a lot of looking for MDF on the affordable scale you can get it in Europe to no avail.

It actually is available in thicker sections pretty widely, but a 1 inch thick piece is little use.

As to yourt post Fergal, we would definitely be interested in 2-3mm MDF if the price was right.

The majority of MDF buildings and terrain out there is 2.5mm or thinner. 1/8 inch is too thick for most builds.

Plywood is also typically thicker.

Generally when you find a source for thin MDF in the USA, you have to buy bulk.

Hey James,

You were typing while I was. :)

If you are looking for bulk, this may not be the most economical way to do it, though we may be able to work something out. Though I think shipping to MN might make things interesting. Shoot me a PM :)

Check out any local furniture manufacturers, kitchen fitout shops and such, or ask them where they buy from. Thin MDF is often used as a backing on wardrobes, built-ins and kitchen cabinets.

There are also specialised grades of MDF and ply intended for Laser or CNC cutting which has more consistent thickness.

Anyone know WHY MDF is so hard to find here in the US?

I am not sure. I have made some inquiries. Hardboard is in every way more toxic to make and use than MDF, so I suspect it is environmental concerns that make it so hard to get in Europe, making MDF a substitute. The US has much more lax laws with regards to a lot of industrial safety issues than Europe. It could be argued that hardboard is an actual superior building material to MDF, but it is not pleasant to work with. Or perhaps they do not even have similar uses, I am not sure.

Bear in mind, this is from my own rather underwhelming research, so I could be blowing smoke. Would be very interested in hearing more informed opinions to be sure.

Found this thread on a woodworking forum which has some interesting ideas and speculation regarding the US availability or lack thereof.

link

I think the important fact is that it actually is commonly available, that said, just not in thicknesses ideal for thin use.

The a comment in the Woodworking forum, leads to a product name for MDF: Medex

Company that makes it: SierraPine [ sierrapine.com ]

They also make other MDF product: Arreis® Sustainable Design Fiberboard

Some resellers:
link

Did find a USA site for plywood but 2mm is very expensive at $9 USD for 12x24 sheet (as bad as UK) but 3mm plyboard is less expensive.

Regards

MMG.

Fergal – You might want to contact Litko Aerosystems who make all sorts of bases and markers, as well as some buildings, from a mix of 0.8, 1.5, and 3mm plywood. Of course they make a whole lot of bases, etc. everyday so may well be able to afford buying the plywood in bulk.

link

link

I've used their 3mm and 0.8mm bases, the latter with a flex-steel stick-on piece. I do not have any of their buildings so I don't know what thickness of plywood they use.

Jim

Not really interested in it, since it warps, and is hard, so is difficult to work with.

There are better options out there, including styrene; plexiglass coated with paper or cardboard; and/or that paper-covered foam sheeting.

Perhaps, if you own a laser-cutter, or jigsaw, and are building larger structures, MDF might be a good choice, but it is also very heavy too.

Yeah, it's pretty much only for folks with lasers.

Checked out the spec sheets at SierraPine, they don't sell anything thinner than 1/4 inch.

Fergal: I could be talked into taking some off of your hands. Definitely could use a decent supply as mine is dwindling…………..

Doug

Dear All

Out of curiosity, on there being an off-chance & just because I like being a helpful so & so, I had a look on Alibaba's website.

I contacted a supplier, they came back with this information:

2*1220*2440mm,plain MDF,E2 glue,FOB Qingdao=$1.81/pcs,4000pcs/20GP.
3*1220*2440mm,plain MDF,E2 glue,FOB Qingdao=$2.64/pcs,2700pcs/20GP.

Our MOQ is 2*20GP,about 50 CBM,and about the cost for shipping to USA,could you tell me your estimated port?

This supplier only does min order of two 20ft containers but there are others that have minimum order of 1 container.

You are stuck with high intial out lay but are getting lot of MDF, my sheet size is 30x60, so could get 16 equal sheets out.

Cutters could group together to reduce their costs, have the container go to local port for one company & the others could use UShip (or other) to get their part of the ordrv delivered.

As long don't go above around $25 USD a sheet you are getting it cheaper than I can plus you would be able to have a side line on reselling it.

Any one in USA and/or Canada feeling like doing a co-op order. If someone feels like giving me their 'local' port I can ask price.

Regards

MMG.

Remember to buy medite laser-safe MDF not the usual cheaper higher level formaldehyde MDF.

Medite MDF is produced using superior wood refining technology and specially designed resins. Benefits are consistency of quality and thickness, as well as reduced tool wear. Medite MDF retains the light tan colour of the wood fibre from which it is manufactured.

Should conform to E1 (low) formaldehyde levels as well as also complying with the lower levels required by CARB phase 2 (CARB Phase 2 compliant <0.11ppm).

Often described as 'Laser Grade' MDF, there is no official classification for this.

Dear All

As a request by Fergal, I checked with my UK supplier & they will sell to USA.

Postage for 100 sheets of 2mm £120.00 GBP, each sheet costs £0.90 GBP inc VAT but should take of the VAT so £0.75 GBP.

Regards

MMG.

UK supplier:

link

Forgot to include the email & site of the supplier:

One Touch Laser [www.onetouchlaser.com]

sales@onetouchlaser.com.

Regards

Ha Ha! I've just bought a laser cutter system from them. Can't recommend them high enough.