Choice of screw for mounting MDF board under kitchen cabinets. Wrong material?
Hello!
I am going to mount a board under my kitchen cabinets with recessed spotlights. I have chosen an MDF board since it was available in the thickness I wanted (12mm). Spotlights (9mm).
Now in hindsight, I'm a bit suspicious if the choice of material is right?
I'm trying to find a suitable screw to attach the board, and all my Googling results in people having problems screwing into MDF?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance
I am going to mount a board under my kitchen cabinets with recessed spotlights. I have chosen an MDF board since it was available in the thickness I wanted (12mm). Spotlights (9mm).
Now in hindsight, I'm a bit suspicious if the choice of material is right?
I'm trying to find a suitable screw to attach the board, and all my Googling results in people having problems screwing into MDF?
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance
MDF has several advantages. Fastenings don't belong to them. I solved a similar problem using construction adhesive and screws.
I cut the boards to size. Checked that they really fit perfectly. Glued them, and held the boards in place with clamps. Then I drilled and countersunk from the overhead cabinets down into the board. Carefully chose the length of the screws.
I cut the boards to size. Checked that they really fit perfectly. Glued them, and held the boards in place with clamps. Then I drilled and countersunk from the overhead cabinets down into the board. Carefully chose the length of the screws.
Screwing into "end grain" in MDF is tricky. Avoid being near the corners and always pre-drill. Test on a scrap piece to see how coarse the drill bit needs to be for the current screw. A coarse-threaded screw bites better than a fine-threaded one. Also, be careful with the torque. The key is to test before tackling the actual pieces. A crack can ruin a lot.
Thanks for the response!
I will not screw into the ends, but straight through. The bottom of the overhead cabinet is 15mm, the MDF board is 12mm, and I have bought regular 3.5x25mm wood screws.
I'll try to find a scrap piece to test on first.
I've already bought everything, so it's a bit make it or break it right now...
I will not screw into the ends, but straight through. The bottom of the overhead cabinet is 15mm, the MDF board is 12mm, and I have bought regular 3.5x25mm wood screws.
I'll try to find a scrap piece to test on first.
I've already bought everything, so it's a bit make it or break it right now...
S
sinuslinus
Träskalle
· Östergötlands län
· 6 024 posts
sinuslinus
Träskalle
- Östergötlands län
- 6,024 posts
Probably, it's chipboard in the cabinet that the screw threads will grip into. That's what limits the strength in this case.
Pre-drill in MDF with a 3.5 or 4 mm drill bit and use clamps or clamps against the cabinet when fastening the MDF, and it will work out fine. If you don't clamp it, there will be a bulge with chips between the cabinet and the MDF, making it difficult to get it completely tight.
Pre-drill in MDF with a 3.5 or 4 mm drill bit and use clamps or clamps against the cabinet when fastening the MDF, and it will work out fine. If you don't clamp it, there will be a bulge with chips between the cabinet and the MDF, making it difficult to get it completely tight.