Is All MDF Created Equal?

[custard]

I'd go with Steve's suggestion of ready machined T&G effect MDF panels.

But for serious machining, such as forming clean mouldings on edges, there are specialist types of MDF that are even better than MRMDF. I think they're called "Deep Route" or "Router Board" and all the main manufacturers, Medite, Kronospan, etc offer a variant.

 

[porker]

I often see the statement that MRMDF doesn't cost much extra but last time I considered buying some, it was considerably more expensive than standard MDF and I see that Ridgeons are currently quoting £41.59 for 18mm MRMDF and £32.92 for their premier grade 18mm standard MDF.
Travis Perkins are quoting £20.80 and £37.57 respectively, plus VAT, including a discount, for Caber, not Medite.
Comparing to the £22-ish for standard MDF from the bigger stores, there's a massive difference for MRMDF.
So, do these figures converge greatly with trade discounts or am I going to the wrong places?
I would normally only want to buy two or three sheets and delivery would need to be factored in if I wasn't buying locally.
Buying advice welcome!
Duncan

I recently paid £23.44 incl VAT for 18mm Medite Premium MR V313 MDF from Arnold Laver. I bought quite a few sheets of material (about £300 worth) so delivery was £30 on top but this is their standard price from their online site. Personally I avoid Travis "make the price up on the spot" Perkins but some people are happy using them.

 

[Duncan A]

Porker, Roughcut, thanks for the prices. Interesting that Wickes are so much cheaper than TP, their parent company - possibly not of the same quality as TP's Caber, which brings us straight back to the OP's question!
TP are not the best, but I occasionally use them as they deliver free for all but the smallest purchases.
Wickes don't sell 12mm MRMDF; it;s not always 18mm that I want. Jewsons sell a reasonable range, but I find their pricing even more hit and miss than TP.
Regarding the original question of quality, and not wishing to hijack the thread, I had some B&Q no-name standard MDF some time back and found it to be horribly woolly stuff; certainly not as nice as the Caber equivalent.
Duncan