I am making the front door. I am
trying to make a "bi-fold" door out of the inexpensive hardboard they sell for
bathroom surrounds. I have a large piece that I have cut down into two strips to fit.
It is too thin to use screws, so I am using Pop-Rivets and a piano hinge. The
bottom is pop riveted to the hinge and then attached with screws to a piece of 1/2"
MDF which will be the base of the unit.
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Here is how it
will work. The base is actually the top to the router bit storage drawer.
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Well it works well, but I do not like
the look of all those little rivets. It reminds me of a VW bus that I made into a camper
in 1963 — I didn't like their looks then, either, but they sure held well.
I will leave it like this until I can come up with a better idea — email
me your suggestions, other than "toss it."
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Ah, yes, short sleeve shirt
time and a welcome change.
The Rockler
Sliding Table works well cutting the 10 pieces of 1/2" MDF for the storage
shelves that I am now making.
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MDF is not great for using
screws, brads, or nails. I will cut rabbets and a groove to hold the mating pieces.
I have installed my stacked dado cutter with blades to cut a 1/2"
width. I am adjusting the height to cut about 1/2 the thickness of the material.
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I rabbet the two long edges and cut a
groove down the center.
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I spread glue in the
grooves and rabbets. I find that polyurethane glue works better with MDF, but the
carpenter's glue will be plenty strong for this application — and is much easier to
clean up.
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I use the narrow
crown stapler to pop in 1 1/4" staples to hold while the glue sets. As I have said
many times, brads and finish nails don't hold well in this material. The narrow crown
staple has great holding power, and I try to use it when it doesn't matter if the head
shows.
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One screw in each case holds these
shelf units in position.
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At each end, I staple some window
insulation to restrict the air flow. I will add one magnetic catch in the top of the
center section to hold the bi-fold door closed.
Well, I am done with my "additions" to the new table. It is time to
use it. Beth is here first thing tomorrow for her first look at it — it is on the
next page.
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