About MDF in most retail stores

[HawkEye]

I'm making a tool cupboard for my home. Its gonna house everything from hand tools to larger machinery. I don't have a workshop/workspace so this is my only option. Dimensions going to be 1600x1100x750. I'm going to make it out of 18mm MDF and run rebates all around. Here is my concern.... ... MDF. At most shops its about thirty pounds for one sheet measuring 2440x1220. As most here will already know those sizes are designed to make you spend more on boards and there is an enormous amount of offcuts/wastage that you don't need which your spending money on. I worked out that I'm actually using around half of the wood I'm buying which is totally rediculous. The dimensions have already been decided so I'm not willing to change them.

I have a few questions then for anyone that's willing to help me out. Firstly, where can I buy MDF and have it cut to finished sizes for cheaper than 15 quid per square metre. Secondly, are there places that have larger sizes than 2440x1220 sheets? I have already had the top and bottom cut at homebase and I am not keen on revisiting them. I live in the London area and am willing to travel far if anyone can recommend a good timber merchants that will do what I want. Thanks for any help.

 

[CNC Paul]

Hawkeye,

Why is it sooooo deep ?


Paul

 

[HawkEye]

Well I've got an extraction unit that will take up alot of ground space, amongst other thing's. This is the size that looks good in the space its going to be in.

 

[Derek Willis.]

Any local builders merchants will provide your m.d.f. cut to size, and a darned sight cheaper too.
Derek.

 

[speed]

you can get 10x4 if you make it to 2ft wide the 10ft will get you 2 sides and a top and bottom, or shelves, that way the only waste off the sheet will be 1ftx4ft im sure you could use that somewere,

 

[user 5027]

Paul,

I don't think they make boards large so you have to buy more... It's just the size most materials come in the "building trade".

You should be paying about £22 for a sheet of 18mm, however, you will get this with a trade account !! Build Centre sometimes do good deals. Last year I was buying at about £12 for a single sheet of 18mm...

If you also want it cut to size, well, your only option would be your local B&Q as no timber store (I know of) will do this. You say you want to pay £15>/sqm. Well, if you are buying at £30 for a sheet, this works out at £10.41/sqm - so you've already got yourself a supplier

Yes, you can purchase sheets larger than 2440x1220 - but I doubt you will be able to move them yourself. I've had sheets upto aprox 3mx2m, but these guys will not cut them for you. That's life !! These companies would be like James Lathams (www.lathamtimber.co.uk).

Now, if you can buy from these, you then have to transport it to someone who will cut it for you...

Basically... go to B&Q and let them do it - so, you get some waste !?! No big deal - is it ?

P

 

[Karl]

I'm a bit confused here - B&Q do sheets of 18mm (2440 x 1220) for £14. First 4 cuts for free. No brainer really.

Cheers

Karl

 

[HawkEye]

I paid 27 pounds odd for a 2440x1220 sheet at homebase. On the BandQ website it states 2440x1220x18 is 14.66 pounds ,are you sure this is not the price per square metre, not whole sheet..

 

[Steve Jones]

Definitely price per sheet Hawkeye, I bought one from my local about a fortnight ago

Regards

Steve

 

[ivan]

I don't think I've ever paid more than £15 for a single full sheet of 18mm MDF. Wickes is usually cheapest but doesn't have a panel saw like B&Q.

 

[Karl]

I paid 27 pounds odd for a 2440x1220 sheet at homebase. On the BandQ website it states 2440x1220x18 is 14.66 pounds ,are you sure this is not the price per square metre, not whole sheet..

Hi Hawkeye

Bought one today - £14 for the sheet, with free cuts.

Just make sure the store you visit has a saw - not all do.

Cheers

Karl

 

[HawkEye]

So Homebase are charging double for exactly the same timber... And I got totally ripped off.... ...

 

[mailee]

A sheet of standard MDF at 2440 x 1220 in B&Poo I pay about £15. In my local Howarth timber merchants I was quoted £18 for the same thing. If you are paying around £30 per sheet I think it must be MRMDF and not the standard stuff. :wink:

 

[pinkyinboro]

hi
try whitten timber in peckham
for non trade a sheet will be about £18 and will cut to any size
you can buy boards smaller as well
it will be loads better quaility than b&poo and wont be fluffy
cheers
Chris

 

[wizer]

Hawk. Where in London are you. I'd be more then happy to order you in as many sheets of mdf as you need. You could come over to my workshop on the day it's delivered and we'll cut it down to size. If you are worried about wastage, we'll work out exactly what each piece of off cut costs and I'll buy it back off you. Assuming they are usable pieces. If they are loads of little bits then that's just life, any job has unusable offcuts. I can get 18mm MDF for about £12 delivered to me.

That said, it's be much easier to find a company to cut it to size for you. To be honest I can get on quite well with B&Q MDF, tho I prefer a good brand MR-MDF.

 

[TheTiddles]

Give B&Poo a ring before you go, make sure they have the thickness you want and a guy to man the saw, so far I have never been asked to pay for extra cuts in 10 years. I recently found using an 18mm sheet with a rabbet to take a 12mm sheet made for an extremely quick and effective build with lots of positive location before pulling it together with screws

Aidan

 

[BradNaylor]

As far as sizes are concerned, there is nothing to stop you glueing off-cuts of MDF back together with biscuits.

I have done this on occasion and it works fine.

Dan

 

[big soft moose]

So Homebase are charging double for exactly the same timber... And I got totally ripped off.... ...

thats pretty much the short and tall of it - homebase are expensive (part of sainsburys group so not a massive suprise imo) if you want to buy it from a DIY shed go to B&Q or Wickes.

that said in your shoes i'd take wizer up on his kind offer - thats the great thing about this forum - there's always someone willing to help you out.

 

[DaveL]

homebase are expensive (part of sainsburys group so not a massive suprise imo)

I agree that they are now expensive, hence the 10% days.
They were part of the Sainsbury group, but were bought out by B&Q, not sure if they still own them as I lose track of these things. I only used them if something is need quickly, ~3miles up the road, B&Q are ~20 miles, so for the odd thing its not worth driving to them.
Homebase was a much better store when it was part of Sainsbury, IMHO.

 

[big soft moose]

homebase are expensive (part of sainsburys group so not a massive suprise imo)

I agree that they are now expensive, hence the 10% days.
They were part of the Sainsbury group, but were bought out by B&Q, not sure if they still own them as I lose track of these things. I only used them if something is need quickly, ~3miles up the road, B&Q are ~20 miles, so for the odd thing its not worth driving to them.
Homebase was a much better store when it was part of Sainsbury, IMHO.

after a quick google arround it appears that they are now owned by "home retail group" who also own argos (but not B&Q). Home retail recorded a 437 million loss in october which may explain why their prices are a tad high.