Would I regret using mdf?

[Elfrasho]

I've now got round to building a wee 1x10 cabinet. I've got access to mad for free. Would I be stupid to using it? Or should I just go get some nice ply?

[Elfrasho]

Oh... and if I did use ply, would 15mm be sufficient?

[JapanAxe]

Ply is stronger and lighter, and takes screws better. 15mm sounds strong enough for a 1x10, you could always brace it too.

[Grangur]

MDF is surprisingly heavy. If you're going to be lifting the cab a lot, then you might well regret using it.

[T-Bay]

It's also more susceptible to moisture ingress and can bloom as a result. You can seal it with coats of PVA or similar but added to the reasons above it makes it not the best material. Bit of you have it and it's free then I suppose you can look at it from the point of view of why not? If the only thing you are using is time then you don't have too much to lose.

[Elfrasho]

Cheers guys, you've basically confirmed my own thoughts. Apart from cost (ie free) i don't think there's any benefit going mdf. It was a silly notion! 😂

[crez5150]

[quote name='Elfrasho' timestamp='1494156311' post='3293664']
Cheers guys, you've basically confirmed my own thoughts. Apart from cost (ie free) i don't think there's any benefit going mdf. It was a silly notion!
[/quote]

Well a benefit could be that there are no void spaces in MDF..... giving a much more consistency

[Rocker]

Remember to wear a nose/mouth mask when cutting or drilling mdf.

[ebenezer]

If Barefaced use 9mm plywood for their cabinets i think 15mm would be good!

[RichardH]

...but remember that Barefaced cabs will have carefully designed bracing to ensure the stiffness of the panels - plain 9mm cabinet walls with no bracing would flap around like anything.

[Phil Starr]

MDF sounds better because of the extra mass, the lack of voids and the fact that it is less resonant than ply. However it is less tough, heavy and as has been said can't cope with moisture (beer at a gig) so isn't really practical for a gigging cab. If it is just for home practice go ahead.

I'd probably go for 12mm for a single 10, 15 will certainly be enough.