Newbie question: When defining toolpaths for a project, do we consider MDF a hardwood or a softwood?
-M.
I use the settings for “softwood” in Carbide Create when cutting MDF.
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The differentiation between Hardwood and Softwood derives from the shell of the seeds. Hardwood has a shell around the seeds while softwood does not. Therefore there are soft hardwoods, like Poplar, softer than pine.
MDF can be compared to red oak, HDF to Hickory.
However IMO MDF wears the bits heavily, since it is mostly resin, I think. Or I just had not the best bits.
MDF also gives a somehow very “nasty” dust / chips.
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We consider MDF to be a softwood. It puts up very little resistance to cutting.
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The hardwood vs softwood explanation is correct, but my observation is MDF machines easier than the softest woods. Before getting the Shapeoko Pro 5 I cut MDF for years on a router table with basic straight 2 flute bits, brad points on a drill press, and circular saw. It more or less disintegrates as soon as a high speed cutter hits it. Harmful fine particulate dust lighter than air disperses everywhere without proper dust collection at the cutter.
One of the first test jobs I ran on the 5 Pro was boring (drilling) about fifty 1/4" deep holes with the #201 1/4" mill. I used the Create default softwood feeds and speeds. When the job finished the end of the mill was nearly black with resin. That was new to me. I guess at the higher RPM of the spindle vs. a drill press running at 1700 rpm the resin is heating and cooling more rapidly in a enclosed hole.
I haven’t noticed this topic in the newbie tutorials but bit maintenance is important. A good bit cleaner like Boeshield and an old toothbrush are crucial to maximizing bit life and cut quality cutting MDF at high speed.
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There are differences in how fast (IPM) that the router moves between Hardwood and Softwood. On an hours long project it might actually add up but on small projects (less than 30 minutes) I dont think you could actually tell the difference.
As @wmoy stated mdf cuts very nicely and easily but as @Emmess stated mdf gives off some nasty dust. MDF makes a mess so it is important to have good dust collection.
Similar to the hardwood vs softwood question is what to pick for plywood. There is oak plywood and then that no name stuff that is some kind of white wood that seems quite soft. I generally use hardwood for plywood like oak, maple and baltic birch. If in doubt pick hardwood for a more conservative feeds and speeds.
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Learn something new everyday…I never knew that was how you differentiate between the two
For more on wood types I recommend:
(make sure to get the revised edition)
Guy, can you give recommendations where to get plywood completely made -I mean all plies- from one wood? I used some so called baltic plywood what indeed is russian made, and this is only available as A/B, and there are a lot of holes and black plies in the middle: visible edges are a vabanque game. Apple Ply has AA surfaces, but IMO they use baltic birch and apply surfaces on it. The hardware store plywood is all good for cabinets with nicely glued on surfaces, but with thick plies cannot be used for visible edges.
Since plywood became rather pricey the last years I did not try Europly since I can get that only as custom order from Home Depot.
Do you have experience with Europly? Is this AA and same wood throughout the whole sheet, with minimal holes and black parts?
Or can you recommend some sources for good plywood?
Made some of those from plywood, the edges are ok but far from excellent:
Sorry my only sources for “baltic birch” are local to East Texas in Nacogdoches Tx at Harry’s Building Supply. I have never used any of the appleply or other newer types of plywood. As you said if I go to Lowes and buy plywood it is to make cabinets. I have a bad habit of keeping bits and pieces of plywood and frankly they are in the way. However sometimes I go to the bins and get some scraps to make something utilitarian.
From your pictures you need high quality plywood and that is as rare as hens teeth.
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Made my day. Right you are.
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