Can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier of HDF?

[Kaneda]

I'm looking for High Density Fibreboard to use in the lasercutter but google just keeps giving me MDF suppliers or links to people using HDF but no suppliers!!

Anyone know where I can get laser grade HDF?

[Andy Harsley]

You're possibly searching for the wrong thing. HDF is basically hardboard, which is readily available at most DIY stores.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardboard

http://www.sydenhamsbuildersmerchant.co.uk/hardboard---high-density-fiberboard.aspx

http://www.travisperkins.co.uk/c/timber-sheet-materials/hardboard/893613

Not sure about a "laser grade" variety. You may need to find some that is just compressed fibre rather resin bonded.


andy

[Dominic Morrow]

Hey Matt

What's the application? Another member used some vulcanised fibre board for making guitar pickups...

What thickness are you looking for? Why won't ply or MDF do what you want?

On 28 Jun 2014 01:35, "Kaneda" <dru...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm looking for High Density Fibreboard to use in the lasercutter but google just keeps giving me MDF suppliers or links to people using HDF but no suppliers!!

Anyone know where I can get laser grade HDF?

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[Kaneda]

I'm basically wanting to make stuff like this: http://shop.microartstudio.com/catwalk-armour-p-922.html

I think the high density is better for durability's sake

[Kaneda]

On another discussion I suggested I could get hardboard from wickes, but that was shot down as potentially deadly...

[Dominic Morrow]

You need to know what's in the material you are cutting for safety of yourself and others not to mention avoiding nasty gases that eat electronics. Plywoods and other processed wood products like MDF have adhesives in them. Is high density fibre board something you know to exist? And be laser safe/cuttable? Is making models out of it common? where do other model makers get material? If Google doesn't know where to buy it you're going to struggle. Sorry I can't be more help, looking at your link is be tempted to try MDF though it's hard to paint.

On 28 Jun 2014 22:17, "Kaneda" <dru...@gmail.com> wrote:

On another discussion I suggested I could get hardboard from wickes, but that was shot down as potentially deadly...

[James Hayward]

HDF is hardboard by the looks of it. I found a couple of MSDS on hardboard and it looks like it would be OK in the laser.

That said, you would have to find a MSDS for the exact hardboard you want to buy to double check. On the MSDS you are looking for what is produced when the material vaporises or burns.

[jfowkes]

Could you use MDF or ply in the laser and then coat with a layer of (for instance) epoxy for durability?

[Andy Harsley]

HDF is more common in Europe, and is widely used for laminate flooring, so I guess it is more durable.

However, I doubt it's all that much better than MDF. I laser-cut a load of 3mm MDF at the Derby Silk Mill a few weeks ago for a model playground, and it seemed pretty robust. Thin sections will be weak in any fibreboard, but otherwise I doubt you'd tell the difference.

Path of least resistance would be to try some MDF and ply to see how tough they are in practice. Good enough is usually quicker and easier than aiming for perfection. (If the site you referenced had said MDF instead of HDF, I expect people would still buy it!)

Of course, it could also be that their interpretation of "HDF" isn't quite correct, and it's really just MDF. (Where does MDF end, and HDF start...?) You'd have to buy one of theirs and test it against a true MDF replica to find out.


andy

[Kaneda]

I wanted to get some hdf so I could compare it to mdf with the same cut to determine the difference. I'm thinking if selling the stuff I end up making so as the existing competition uses hdf. It might disadvantage me to use "inferior" mdf even if the actual difference is negligible.

[Charles Yarnold]

Hello from the LHS o/

I'm actually looking into the same material for the same reasons. From handling HDF it feels (unsurprisingly) denser than MDF, stronger and seems like more resilient to moisture. I'm also told its much nicer to paint. But alas I'm also finding it hard to track down. Will let you know if I do.

Sol

On 29 June 2014 17:12, Kaneda <dru...@gmail.com> wrote:

I wanted to get some hdf so I could compare it to mdf with the same cut to determine the difference. I'm thinking if selling the stuff I end up making so as the existing competition uses hdf. It might disadvantage me to use "inferior" mdf even if the actual difference is negligible.

[James Hayward]

Hdf definitely seems to be called hardboard in the uk, see http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardboard

And it appears to be laser safe too.  You can buy it from travis perkins

http://www.travisperkins.co.uk/p/hardboard-standard-panel-3-x-2440-x-1220mm/500006/3893613

And they include a safety data sheet.  The sheet is for all wood products, so read it carefully - it has a general warning of formaldehyde vapours, but the last page has a matrix of what risks apply to what product, and hardboard has a N/A for that.

In fact, the risks for hardboard are identical to medium board (mdf).

So, problem solved - knock yourself out.  Don't forget to log the settings you use to cut/engrave!

J

[David Clarke]

Maybe 'Masonite' is what's needed? A description / history here:

http://www.ampersandart.com/tips/archivalinfo.html

Mentions changes to the use of oils for hardening in the last 20 years or
so - this corresponds to my memory; 'Hardboard' used to be much harder
than the stuff sold at DIY stores today, which has a very soft feel to
it, and it doesn't machine anything like as well.

Some further Googling turns up:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A3-Masonite-Hard-Board-Clipboard-For-Warehouse-a
mp-Stockrooms-/380835193592

Which I think I've seen in Staples / Office World, and is made of a much
harder material, more like the old-style stuff, almost like 'Formica'
worktop laminate.

Availability - can't help, but from the description, the real thing is
just compressed wood, with minimal resin / oil, and so should be fine to
laser cut.

David Clarke.

[Kaneda]

Excellent, I will pick some up this week, do some tests and post pics and data here :)

[Charles Yarnold]

Picked up some of this today.

On first inspection it didn't seem like HDF that I've handled in the past. Slightly glazed on one side, rough and horrible on the other.

Gave it a go in the lasercutter, either wouldn't cut through or took so much power it ended up in a sooty flame charred mess.

It may be a case of needing "laser grade", but it just didn't seem like the HDF I've handled in the past. Its very possible what I was told was HDF was something else, but this stuff from TP isn't it, definitely not suitable for making terrain. 

Will be interested in your results if you pick some of this up and how it handles in your new beast of a cutter. 

Best,

Sol

[Lionel]

My research reveals there is common confusion between hardboard (which is what you obtained) and HDF. This is probably due to the fact that HDF is not readily available in the UK retail market and not helped by wikipedia. Customer does not know about it > no demand > not stocked!
Although HDF is not a regular diy product in UK, it is used in kitchen cabinet and laminate flooring manufacture. See http://europlywood.com/catalogue/hdf-boards/
You may have to email them to find a stockist in UK.
However, there is, in Ireland, a manufacturer of MDF offering several grades, all called MDF but one or more of them probably equivalent to the HDF you know and love.
They are http://www.medite-europe.com and you would probably want MediteFQ ie flooring quality or Premier which speaks for itself. You would have to ask them about suitability for laser cutting.
The good news is that they have two nearby stockists of their products, namely:-

Brooks Bros Ltd - Midlands http://www.brookstimber.co.uk/
Willow Road, Lenton Lane, Nottingham, NG7 2PR

Masons Timber Products Ltd http://www.masons-timber.co.uk/
Colwick Industrial Estate, Colwick, Nottingham, NG4 2EQ

I cannot vouch for either of them having or being willing to obtain the material you want.

[Kaneda]

Funnily enough I emailed medite the itger day :)

[Andy Harsley]

There was a laser suitable HDF material called Maplex, but it looks like it's no longer available:

http://transmaterial.net/maplex/

http://www.laserscript.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=522


andy

[Lionel]

You may find this helpful as I am fairly sure Wentworth laser cut their puzzles
http://www.jigsaws.co.uk/customer#faq-what_is_a_wentworth_wooden_jigsaw_made_from

[Ant Godber]

Hi all, sorry to jump on this thread but relevant for what I am looking at.

What MDF do I need to be looking for to guarantee I wont damage the cutter or members?

Is there a local supplier or one that is good on delivery?