| alex757 | 16 Nov 2016 1:49 p.m. PST |
All, I may have after hours access to the laser cutter in the Fab Department where I work. However, I will need to supply my own materials. What is a good source for the wood that everyone seems to be using? A quick search for MDF shows that most suppliers are overseas. So, what are the US based companies using as a raw material source? |
| The Tin Dictator | 16 Nov 2016 2:31 p.m. PST |
You can get it at any lumber supply store, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
Sometimes its called Masonite. |
| thorr666 | 16 Nov 2016 2:38 p.m. PST |
Mdf apparantly isn't available in the US |
| jfleisher | 16 Nov 2016 3:45 p.m. PST |
MDF is definitely available in the US, but perhaps not in the thicknesses you may require. The thinnest I have seen in the big box hardware stores is 1/8" (3-4mm). |
| alex757 | 16 Nov 2016 4:01 p.m. PST |
The only laser cut kits I have bought from someone here in the US was from Underground Lasers. The wood in those kits looks nothing like the masonite from Home Depot. |
| thorr666 | 16 Nov 2016 4:16 p.m. PST |
That's cause it isn't anything like Masonite or hardboard |
| alex757 | 16 Nov 2016 6:12 p.m. PST |
THorr666, Then that is my question… What is it called and where can I purchase it? |
| thorr666 | 16 Nov 2016 6:55 p.m. PST |
Like I said, you cant. I have searched and there's no US source I'm aware of |
| thorr666 | 16 Nov 2016 6:56 p.m. PST |
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| alex757 | 16 Nov 2016 7:18 p.m. PST |
I understand your point now. But Underground Lasers is (was) in NJ and there are other companies in the US, so what are they using and where do they get it? I doubt they are getting it from overseas, shipping in the US is bad enough… |
| thorr666 | 16 Nov 2016 9:30 p.m. PST |
That's the only thing I can think of is, that they're importing |
GildasFacit  | 17 Nov 2016 3:51 a.m. PST |
Even in the UK the good and consistent quality stuff is imported from Spain – at least the smaller thicknesses are. I have seen references to HDF and compressed fibreboard so you might try a search on those. I'd be surprised if it wasn't available in the US or Canada as it has many properties that hardboard and plywood don't have. I'd approach a large timber yard that does imports as well as native products – they are likely the best source for information. In the US I'd think a trade name is as likely to be used as a generic name and that I can't help with I'm afraid. |
| alex757 | 17 Nov 2016 4:06 a.m. PST |
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will let you all know what I find out. |
| CeruLucifus | 17 Nov 2016 11:59 p.m. PST |
What does your work's Fab Department use? Who is their source? |
| alex757 | 18 Nov 2016 4:35 a.m. PST |
The GSA catalog and they only do acrylic |
