Will B&Q cut MDF into small pieces?
I need 60 596x150x18mm bits. Is this something they wil do for a price?
I have a jigsaw but I ain't cutting it
3 cuts free last time at a larger store
Yes, but tends to only be in the bigger stores.
They might not do it all but any with a big saw will do cutting. Might be easiest and more accurate to get them to cut it into 150mm strips and then you cut the lengths on a chop saw. Depends who you get on the saw. I had one lad who could only do the cut if I gave it to him in centimeters rather than the millimeters I had quoted.
They would not cut one length of wood in half for me last visit, it was too small. That was a 10ft long 3x2, which luckily fit into the corsa in the end. So I doubt it.
That just over 4 sheets so you'll have to buy 5
They'll do it but only the first few cuts will be free - they can probably cut them in a stack so that will save a bit as each cut of 3 or 4 boards will only be charged as one.
Chat to them and give them plenty of time to do it when they are quiet. Theres a limit to just how accurate and repeatable the cuts will be though so you're intended end use might make that a factor. I've tend to use them to get a batch of boards into manageable sizes close to my final size so that I can make a jig on site and do the final fine adjustments. But they've supplied and cut dozens of boards at a time for me in the past so long as I give them a day or two notice.
Would it not make more sense to buy some lengths of timber 150mm wide and just cross cut them?
They would not cut one length of wood in half for me last visit, it was too small. That was a 10ft long 3x2, which luckily fit into the corsa in the end. So I doubt it.
they'll only cut sheets/boards on their big panel saws, not lengths of timber.
its two sheets if they are 8 x 4 feet (2.44 x 1.22m).
If B&Q won't do it try Arnold Lavers or your local supplier.
Shelves?
If there is any problem, I'd get them to do the lengthways cuts and buy a cheapo mains circular saw and do the crossways ones my self. (remembering a mask - it is MDF...)
I have had problems with the accuracy in timber merchants, and it is usally the length of the piece rather than the width that screw projects up.
Shelves?
If it is, I'd be using 1x6 instead of MDF.
Unless well supported, MDF of that width and thickness will be saggy in no time.
What are they being used for?
its two sheets if they are 8 x 4 feet (2.44 x 1.22m)
I had an attack of bad maths
There might be a limit on how narrow a lengthways rip they can do - as you work down the board they might not be able to rip within 150mm of the bottom edge (I know there is a limit but I can't remember what it is) - so they might happier to cross cut and give you lots of 1200x150mm pieces instead (and they'll be easier to transport)
I didn't think they cut MDF because of the dust it generates.
or you could be a real man and use that to justify a table/band saw at home 🙂
Go to a local joinery company and ask them.
B&Q(DIY shed) mdf is hideously overpriced anyway...
I had a big lot of cutting done last week, so it shouldn't be a problem, the number of cuts is at their discretion, I had about 30 done but was buying 10 sheets and a lot was repetitive so was quite quick.
Their accuracy isn't great, but it is very repeatable, so if you ask for 150 they might all be 147 or 152, but they'll all match.
I bought some shelving units that had 10mm MDF shelves, less than a year later I went to B&Q to get replacement shelves cut from 6mm ply. MDF only really works in compression.
If it is, I'd be using 1x6 instead of MDF.
Unless well supported, MDF of that width and thickness will be saggy in no time.
This is good advice. But for low weight items 60cm should be ok. I'm imagining this is possibly for some sort of shop shelving type application? MDF is ok in dry environments, but seal it somehow; diluted PVA does an adequate job but doesn't look great. MDF tends to warp and sag if used for any length of time in a damp environment. Painting MDF is a chore. Personally, I'd also be getting some proper timber and using that instead; most Pine type stuff can be used untreated, and looks a lot better. Or some Birch ply. Or even laminated chipboard.
Get some proper softwood, a saw, a set square and a pencil.
Free workout.
I didn't think they cut MDF because of the dust it generates.
they very much do
B&Q(DIY shed) mdf is hideously overpriced anyway...
Their sheet goods are priced fairly decently - everything else you need for the job - especially timber lengths would be expensive from them but not the MDF. A walk-in, non trade customer only buying two sheets and that they probably won't see again isn't going to get a much better price in a timber yard.
Thanks all
They are for work, Radio nodes in a false ceiling grid
595 is the width of the tile,
Reading branch do 15 cuts for free and charge for any additional. But didn't 😀
2 sheets together but still more than 15 cuts. The guy couldn't of been be more helpful
I'm assuming MDF is going to add a lot of weight to the ceiling, is the supporting grid up to it? Also, what are the issues with fire protection if you are (possibly) taking out fire resistant tiles?
the tiles are not foire resisting the ceiling above is usually concrete or steel cladding, fire usually burns through the light fittings, but a huge weight to hang of a suspended ceiling grid.
Kayak speaks sense.
I would get that chopped up by a joiner/furniture manufacturer. The MDF from BQ is very bad quality, low density and the surface fluffs when its painted, get Medite if you want a pro finish.
Vertical panel saws are a bit of a faff cutting bits that size, much quicker on a proper panel saw, and explaining that all edges are trimed/squared to B/Q or timber shop staff tends to be painfull.
Also machines are not set up to be properly accurate as no one is used to actually making things, just cutting to 1-2mm tolerance if your lucky.
Ceiling tile will remain in place
Bracket on ceiling tile and screwed in to the MDF through the tile. The MDF will be on the grid behind the tile.
This was requested by the Facilitys Manager as it is the standard for anything fixed to the ceiling tiles
I've just done something similar in a car showroom.
18mm seems a bit overkill, everything in this one was screwed to 6mm ply or 6mm mdf.
Mimmiethecat your wrong about vertical panel saws not being accurate.
I use a 5 metre striebig vertical panel saw every day and if i could not cut material to the exact size then i think i would pack it in and take up road cycling.
We cut mdf,plywood,high pressure laminates,aluminium composite panels,aluminium extrutions some of which then have to go into jigs so they have to be spot on.
The difference is someone who has had 1 hours training or someone who has been doing it 25 years.
maccruiskeen - MemberB&Q(DIY shed) mdf is hideously overpriced anyway...
Their sheet goods are priced fairly decently - everything else you need for the job - especially timber lengths would be expensive from them but not the MDF.
I regularly buy MDF for furniture and usually pay about £16 from a timber merchant. B&Q stuff is [url= http://www.diy.com/departments/mdf-board-l2440mm-w1220mm-th18mm/27588_BQ.prd ]£20 a sheet.[/url]
Ok, not a fortune but it adds up.
I'd also agree on the quality of it as mentioned above. I've seen students bring in mdf to college whereupon cutting it up presents a differing quality to the stuff we normally buy.
I'd always recommend going to a proper timber merchant over a DIY shop. The stuff is just overpriced and generally lower quality.
Look for Medite and "MR" moisture resistant grade mdf .
otherwise you just end up with fluffy cardboard that gets a rash if you paint it