Gluing Broken MDF

Davoud

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Jun 28, 2016, 9:16:00 PM6/28/16

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A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the
process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate that the transom
windows rest on. Photograph at
<http://primordial-light.com/mdf-transom.html>.

Best glue to repair this break?

Many thanks!

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Leon

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Jun 28, 2016, 9:52:28 PM6/28/16

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On 6/28/2016 8:15 PM, Davoud wrote:
> A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the
> process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate that the transom
> windows rest on. Photograph at
> <http://primordial-light.com/mdf-transom.html>.
>
> Best glue to repair this break?
>
> Many thanks!
>

Probably more than just glue, but a Titebond glue should be fine. I
would reinforce with pocket hole screws and or biscuits.

Unknown

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Jun 28, 2016, 10:01:45 PM6/28/16

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Davoud <st...@sky.net> wrote in news:280620162115569862%st...@sky.net:

> A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the
> process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate that the transom
> windows rest on. Photograph at
> <http://primordial-light.com/mdf-transom.html>.
>
> Best glue to repair this break?
>
> Many thanks!
>

I'd probably reach for the Titebond II, just regular wood glue. With wood
glue, a good fit and more clamping pressure usually results in a better
joint. Just don't damage the wood by cranking things down too tight.

Puckdropper

-MIKE-

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Jun 28, 2016, 10:58:11 PM6/28/16

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On 6/28/16 8:15 PM, Davoud wrote:
> A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the
> process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate that the transom
> windows rest on. Photograph at
> <http://primordial-light.com/mdf-transom.html>.
>
> Best glue to repair this break?
>
> Many thanks!
>

MDF is sawdust and glue. Don't over-think it.
Use wood glue. If it's exterior, use a waterproof glue.

Don't pay attentions to all the wives' tales about over-pressure and all
that crap.
Just f'n glue it, sand it, paint it, have a beer and enjoy life.

--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
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mi...@mikedrumsDOT.com
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Keith Nuttle

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Jun 28, 2016, 11:12:53 PM6/28/16

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On 6/28/2016 10:58 PM, -MIKE- wrote:
> On 6/28/16 8:15 PM, Davoud wrote:
>> A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the
>> process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate that the transom
>> windows rest on. Photograph at
>> <http://primordial-light.com/mdf-transom.html>.
>>
>> Best glue to repair this break?
>>
>> Many thanks!
>>
>
> MDF is sawdust and glue. Don't over-think it.
> Use wood glue. If it's exterior, use a waterproof glue.
>
> Don't pay attentions to all the wives' tales about over-pressure and all
> that crap.
> Just f'n glue it, sand it, paint it, have a beer and enjoy life.
>
>

It is surprising what you can glue together. Many years ago my
daughter broke the head board on her antique bed. She called an asked
what to do. I told her to collect all of the pieces and we would see
what could be done.

Like a puzzle I put all of the pieces back together and glued with
common wood glue. (I do not remember if it was titebond or Elmer wood
glue). Today she is sleeping in the bed every night, and it looks like
nothing happened to it.

Unknown

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Jun 29, 2016, 2:30:53 PM6/29/16

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"-MIKE-" <mi...@mikedrumsDOT.com> wrote

>
> Don't pay attentions to all the wives' tales about over-pressure and all
> that crap.
> Just f'n glue it, sand it, paint it, have a beer and enjoy life.
>
>

I just can't help myself...

Is it OK if I substitute tequila for the beer? ;) Otherwise, good advice.

I was working on some small wood boxes for the wife last night. I had to
putty in some small holes. I have not bought any wood putty for a long
time. I was reading the instructions to see if things have changed. I
found two big changes in the instructions.

1) No clean up instructions. Apparently you just let the putty harden on
your tools and break it off later with a hammer. I used paint thinner.
That worked OK.

2) You are not supposed to apply the wood putty to your eyes??????
Something I never thought about. But this was more important than clean up
instructions, apparently.

DerbyDad03

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Jun 29, 2016, 2:44:30 PM6/29/16

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You can only fit so many letters on the label. The lawsuit for puttied eyes would cost
them more than the lawsuit for puttied tools.

G. Ross

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Jun 29, 2016, 3:10:42 PM6/29/16

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More important: Does it cause cancer in California?

--
GW Ross

Some people act crazy, others aren't
acting.

whit3rd

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Jun 29, 2016, 4:52:42 PM6/29/16

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On Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 6:16:00 PM UTC-7, Davoud wrote:
> A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the

> process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate ...

> Best glue to repair this break?
>
> Many thanks!

As others have said, any old white glue. When it's dry, give the surface a pass with
a hot iron (use aluminum foil or teflon sheet to keep paint off the iron). The
glue doesn't make much of a seam bulge, but it goes down quicker with some heat
than with sandpaper.

Artemus

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Jun 29, 2016, 5:00:37 PM6/29/16

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"Davoud" <st...@sky.net> wrote in message news:280620162115569862%st...@sky.net...

>A neighbor is modifying the transom of a door to fit an opening. In the
> process he broke the corner off the MDF bottom plate that the transom
> windows rest on. Photograph at
> <http://primordial-light.com/mdf-transom.html>.
>
> Best glue to repair this break?
>
> Many thanks!
>

Titebond will work fine.
Optional: add dowels for joint strength.
Nix on biscuits or pocket screws as you will likely destroy more of the MDF.
Art

Mike Marlow

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Jun 29, 2016, 5:37:37 PM6/29/16

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Have never heard anything about using a hot iron to glue up a piece of
wood. Going to call bullshit on that recommendation.

--
-Mike-
mmarlo...@windstream.net

Mike Marlow

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Jun 29, 2016, 5:39:34 PM6/29/16

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Too little information about the damage to make any recommendation
Dowels may not at all be necessary - maybe only only a simple glue joint.

--
-Mike-
mmarlo...@windstream.net

dadiOH

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Jun 29, 2016, 7:06:24 PM6/29/16

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White glue is thermoplastic. I often edge band by applying it to an edge,
let it dry then iron on the edge band (hottest setting). Works well;
however, the wood needs to be thin - up to 1/8" or so - for it to get hot
enough.

An alternative way is to apply a heavy coat, let it dry then spritz lightly
it with water (just enough so it turns white again). The water will make
the surface tacky, easier to align banding - which needs to then be
clamped - and less messy, no squeeze out. This is also a way to apply large
sheets of cloth, paper or whatever to a substrate. No clamping is needed
but the thin sheet of whatever needs to be squeeged on well and the dried
glue on the substrate needs to be smooth (I use a surform plane to smooth
it).

Davoud

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Jun 29, 2016, 9:01:21 PM6/29/16

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Mike Marlow:

> Too little information about the damage to make any recommendation
> Dowels may not at all be necessary - maybe only only a simple glue joint.

The photograph was inadequate? Never mind. Titebond II did the job.

Leon

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Jun 29, 2016, 9:22:52 PM6/29/16

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So apparently you have not repaired MDF with biscuits or pocket hole
screws. You might give it a try some time, you will probably be surprised.

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Jun 29, 2016, 10:01:26 PM6/29/16

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On Wed, 29 Jun 2016 20:22:38 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

When I need to replace broken MDF I find Baltic Birch Plywood works
best.

cl...@snyder.on.ca

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Jun 29, 2016, 11:12:45 PM6/29/16

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Darn - I blew it. When I need to REPAIR broken MDF I find Baltic
Birch Plywood works best.

Artemus

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Jun 30, 2016, 12:22:02 AM6/30/16

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"Leon" <lcb11211@swbelldotnet> wrote in message
news:DLidnT_dTKv46enK...@giganews.com...

Experience has shown that biscuits in MDF have a tendency to initiate splitting
along the center of the panel. Also screws promote disintegration in
the local area of the panel. Did you not notice the word "optional" used with
the dowel recommendation?
Art

Leon

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Jun 30, 2016, 12:50:10 AM6/30/16

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I have used pocket hole screws to connect MDF and Domino's to reinforce
MDF unions. It is strong union.

Did you not notice the word "optional" used with
> the dowel recommendation?

Yes I saw optional dowels along with Nix My tested suggestion.

whit3rd

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Jun 30, 2016, 2:50:38 AM6/30/16

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You didn't hear it, you read it in a newsgroup. The water in the glue swells the
fibers near the joint, and the hot iron reflows the glue near the surface so you can
press it flat after it's dry.

Works well on attaching veneers, too (iron-on after letting glue dry on one or both
surfaces). Water-based glue swells the veneer if you apply it wet, and it splits when it
dries.

Mike Marlow

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Jun 30, 2016, 6:13:31 AM6/30/16

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Davoud wrote:
> Mike Marlow:
>> Too little information about the damage to make any recommendation
>> Dowels may not at all be necessary - maybe only only a simple glue joint.
>
> The photograph was inadequate? Never mind. Titebond II did the job.
>

Nope - it was perfectly adequate. Too bad I didn't see the link until
after I posted my reply. Happens some time...

--
-Mike-
mmarlo...@windstream.net

John McCoy

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Jun 30, 2016, 10:35:51 AM6/30/16

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"Artemus" <bo...@invalid.org> wrote in news:nl26p5$54q$1...@dont-email.me:

> Experience has shown that biscuits in MDF have a tendency to initiate
> splitting along the center of the panel.

That seems reasonable, since biscuits tend to swell from
the moisture in the glue (or any other source of moisture).

John

John Grossbohlin

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Jun 30, 2016, 3:29:33 PM6/30/16

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wrote in message news:be39nb1d12rmrcjpk...@4ax.com...

I tend to replace things like this too... with ply or solid wood as seems
appropriate.

Artemus

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Jun 30, 2016, 5:13:43 PM6/30/16

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"Leon" <lcb11211@swbelldotnet> wrote in message

news:hvWdnRVMe_JnOenK...@giganews.com...

OK, we've had differing experiences.
But this is the internet, is this where we launch ad hominem attacks now? ;~)
Art

Leon

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Jun 30, 2016, 5:56:14 PM6/30/16

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Yes!

> But this is the internet, is this where we launch ad hominem attacks now? ;~)

No! LOL.

Swingman

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Jun 30, 2016, 10:20:42 PM6/30/16

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Obviously proving you're both Nazi's ....

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-MIKE-

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Jun 30, 2016, 11:38:48 PM6/30/16

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On 6/30/16 9:20 PM, Swingman wrote:
> On 6/30/2016 4:55 PM, Leon wrote:
>> On 6/30/2016 5:08 PM, Artemus wrote:
>
>>> But this is the internet, is this where we launch ad hominem attacks
>>> now? ;~)
>>
>> No! LOL.
>
> Obviously proving you're both Nazi's ....
>

OAK RUST!!!!!!

Angela

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Jun 19, 2019, 4:44:05 PM6/19/19

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replying to -MIKE-, Angela wrote:
Perfect advice.

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