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Discussion Forum

whats the difference mdf and mdo

woodpeckers | Posted in General Discussion on March 28, 2010 09:40am

medium density fiberboard or medium density overlay, what is mdo used for?

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Replies

  1. DanH | Mar 28, 2010 09:53am | #1

    9 in ASCII, 16 in EBCDIC.

  2. calvin | Mar 28, 2010 10:07am | #2

    Difference

    MDF-Medium Density Fibreboard-Compressed paper like substance-used as a substrait for veneer-sort of took the place of particle board as a substrate.  Can be, but I've never used it for base for laminate.  Interior and Exterior Trim-many profiles are made of MDF and primed for your enjoyment.  Paints up real nice.  Used to pucker when nailed-not so much anymore.  Edge nailing separates it-not good.

    MDO-Medium Density Overlay- Plywood that has either one or both sides layered with a paper like veneer.  Paints up nice.  Good for exterior panels-signs-stuff like that.

    I use it for the panels / shelves / flat buildups of shelving units.  Needs edge or edgeband to cover plys.  Good stuff-2 sided is a bit more stable out of the gate-the one good sided sheets tend to come bent in one direction, rather than the almost flat of two sided.

    1. gfretwell | Mar 28, 2010 01:09pm | #3

      I used MDO for a pontoon boat deck 20 years ago and it is still doing fine except where I made a penetration that wasn't properly edge sealed  (shame on me) I am convinced it is pretty good stuff.

      This is a boat, in salt water that gets used 12 months a year with more neglect than maintenance.

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