Alcove shelving project, ordering pre cut MDF?
Discussion
First world problems have struck in our household. You see, we were given, free of charge, a rather nice 60 inch Panasonic LED TV. It’s a couple of years old but it’s frankly pretty nice.
The problem – it’s too big. I mean, it’s really quite obnoxiously big. But then, can a TV ever really be too big? Well according to my wife, yes it can, and that one is.
Negotiations start and eventually we agree on a compromise – the TV can stay if I build a load of alcove storage into the space vacated by the current telly.
So I've whacked a design together and got approval from the wife (with the agreement that the green colour in Sketchup is not representative of what we will end up with):
The plan is to build the shelves in box section from MDF and recess some LED lights into them, all relatively straightforward.
Except, I can't seem to find somewhere that will precut the MDF to the required sizes. B&Q will do it for a trade customer, but I'm not that.
So any recommendations for somewhere that will cut the MDF to order? Because frankly I'd rather avoid making all those cuts myself....
The problem – it’s too big. I mean, it’s really quite obnoxiously big. But then, can a TV ever really be too big? Well according to my wife, yes it can, and that one is.
Negotiations start and eventually we agree on a compromise – the TV can stay if I build a load of alcove storage into the space vacated by the current telly.
So I've whacked a design together and got approval from the wife (with the agreement that the green colour in Sketchup is not representative of what we will end up with):
The plan is to build the shelves in box section from MDF and recess some LED lights into them, all relatively straightforward.
Except, I can't seem to find somewhere that will precut the MDF to the required sizes. B&Q will do it for a trade customer, but I'm not that.
So any recommendations for somewhere that will cut the MDF to order? Because frankly I'd rather avoid making all those cuts myself....
Cutwrights get excellent feedback from cabinet makers and will edge it and prime it etc too (and do an online quote)
https://cutwrights.com/Home.aspx
https://cutwrights.com/Home.aspx
Edited by olimain on Wednesday 17th August 17:21
_dobbo_ said:
Ta, that looks like a good shout in the event I get no luck at B&Q. It's not enough wood or enough cuts to need to go further afield unless I have to.
The cutting and delivery is really good, but the wood is not the cheapest.They also sell Valchromat, which is a coloured MDF, which might be handy to save painting etc.
The sheet goods from B&Q etc are sometimes a bit st, but if you are going to paint, any marks or dings can be covered anyway.
paulrockliffe said:
Or go with the proper wood shop linked? You'd have to be pretty desperate and daft to think B&Q are the answer here.
why?the place is hideous, and a bit overpriced, but to turn up, get the wood cut, pay and leave, it does what is needed.
sadly, most times i've been to specialist places for wood/metal/paint etc, i'm made to feel like a dick as i'm not in the trades, and don't know specific terminology etc.
that said, i had some wood cut for the same purpose at b&q, and the cuts are there or there about rather than spot on.
Simpo Two said:
Just buy a cheap chop saw and do it yourself.
He would need to be able to rip the sheet into strips first, chop saw wouldn't be able to do that.Track saw and two rails would be needed for that. That set-up would also be able to cope with the slightly angled ends and slightly different lengths that each of those shelves are going to need to be.
One thing to be careful of is checking to see whether the alcove's are square. Once the MDF is cut down it is hard to re-instate an angle cut, so check this first.
I imagine, if the house is of any age, they won't be square, even varying up the height of the room. In this case, you may be better off cutting them on site.
I imagine, if the house is of any age, they won't be square, even varying up the height of the room. In this case, you may be better off cutting them on site.
SavanP said:
One thing to be careful of is checking to see whether the alcove's are square. Once the MDF is cut down it is hard to re-instate an angle cut, so check this first.
I imagine, if the house is of any age, they won't be square, even varying up the height of the room. In this case, you may be better off cutting them on site.
Actually this is a good point. My intention was to "refine" any edges that weren't fitting but I haven't checked yet how true the walls are. It's a 1920s property and the alcoves are already different sizes (about 2cm different width) so checking from top to bottom as well is sensible. If they look OK I'll go pre cut, otherwise I'll get the circular saw out and do it myself.I imagine, if the house is of any age, they won't be square, even varying up the height of the room. In this case, you may be better off cutting them on site.
singlecoil said:
Simpo Two said:
Just buy a cheap chop saw and do it yourself.
He would need to be able to rip the sheet into strips first, chop saw wouldn't be able to do that._dobbo_ said:
Actually this is a good point. My intention was to "refine" any edges that weren't fitting but I haven't checked yet how true the walls are. It's a 1920s property and the alcoves are already different sizes (about 2cm different width) so checking from top to bottom as well is sensible. If they look OK I'll go pre cut, otherwise I'll get the circular saw out and do it myself.
Workmate with a decent sized bit of timber on top to extend it then clamp your MDF on to that and use a circular saw with a jig. I have one of these too which helps https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-SL35-Steel-Fra...I recently bought a cordless lithium Ion one from Lidl (!) because my corded one was a faff (and it was £30!) and it's actually pretty good! Came with a guide too and it's fun chopping up wood and making st loads of mess in the garden. Wouldn't use MDF though, it WILL bow eventually.
You can buy half sheets of whatever timber you want from Wickes etc and it's easier to handle and chop up although can be slightly more expensive. If you can find a Travis Perkins that isn't entirely staffed by apes they also offer a chop service if you really can't be arsed.
Edited by StoatInACoat on Thursday 18th August 10:12
The simple option if the alcove isn't square is to fully line it/build a full shelf unit, fill around the edges and paint the side panels to match the walls. All nice and square and not obvious as the MDF will take the same paint as the walls.
Trimming to match is a pain as it won't be straight or square so will never match exactly.
Or you could cut into the plaster to conceal the shelf edges which would also be a pain.
Trimming to match is a pain as it won't be straight or square so will never match exactly.
Or you could cut into the plaster to conceal the shelf edges which would also be a pain.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff