I was wrong about MDF...

I torture tested MDF vs. Plywood to see how they would hold up to water, weight and fire! The results were unexpected.

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[JJeepster]

My main observation with MDF is how it warps over time. It seems nice and strong at first but If I have a shelf made from MDF it will sag over time much worse than plywood with the same weight on it.

[Mackinstyle]

Fun bonus idea: measuring the difference in red water volume would help understand just how much is being absorbed by the pieces.

[Craftlngo]

we used the physical properties of MDF to save our basement in case of flooding. Two tracks of U-shaped aluminium on both sides of a critical doorway, just slightly wider than the thickness of the MDF-Board. A bead of silicone to seal the entrance. If water entered the basement the MDF expanded and closed the gap in the u profile stopping the water to intrude any further.

[JohnLadan]

I watched this and the previous video at cheap desk with a painted MDF top. When it gets a tiny scratch, any amount of water (condensation on glasses, spilled drinks, or even from sweat in the summer) causes it to swell and create bumps. There's no fixing it. Stumpy Nubs had a tip to use CA glue to re-seal the mdf, so it won't get worse in those locations, but the desk has pock marks all over it now.

[MonsterHobbieShow]

I made shelves a long time ago with MDF and they warped so hard it was more a roller coaster than a shelf even though there was very little weight put on to them (the vertical boards held pretty well which is interesting).
I also made another shelve around the same time I made the MDF ones but this one was made from plywood and it is still standing strong even after putting a huge old heavy tv on it for years.

[Pentross]

At our shop we sometimes use “marine grade MDF” that’s more stable in situations with water exposure; we use it mainly for doors, in rooms that get lots of humidity

[Woodworks]

15:39 lol how excited you got at the failure. Love it! Great tests Brad!

[cdw]

I still think you need to test the MDF deflection over time. I'm reasonably certain if you put the MDF shelf under a load of a full month, it will deflect a lot more than when you first applied the load.

[IndyGuy]

I always appreciate your videos! If you would have flipped the plywood over so it bowed downward, it would have likely been weaker than placing it with the bow upwards. This is the same reason they design flatbed semi trailers to bow upwards when they're not loaded.

[john]

Great job! Would be Intersting to see a similar test with exterior sheathing options like OSB, OSB with a weather barrier, and a zip type board. Could even test tape applications on joints, etc.

[pmdinaz]

My experience is the same as the outcome of this video except for the solid wood edge version.
I haven't done that, but I will now. I'll be using mdf in different ways now.
Thanks Brad!!

[TonyToad]

Interesting and informative video. I work on cabinets (mostly refinishing existing cabinets) and I have the same experience with MDF shelves that I'm reading in the comments about warping over time. I've seen it on both ply and MDF but is certainly more pronounced in MDF. If we don't end up replacing the shelves for whatever reason, I just flip them over.

[mindyhall]

Brad—always appreciate these kinds of educational videos; am wondering if you could do an educational video on LEDs 101? I know you’ve done a couple videos (which I’ve watched) on putting LEDs in your work but feeling like I can’t find a soup to nuts video from design to installation on LEDs in woodwork and think you’d be great at teaching something like that. Thanks for any consideration you give this idea.

[c.a.g.]

Brad, this video was very useful and I thank you for all the time and effort you put into it!

But seriously: this was fun, you had me laughing out loud, for real!

[-_-John-_-]

Built custom cabinetry, shelving and whatnot for 30+ years and have never heard any tradesman call it "edge banding".
'Finished edge', 'nosing', 'front edge', 'trim boards', 'front supports'... probably a bunch more names for it.
We always use 'edge banding' if it's just a veneer over the edge of the shelf material.

[silver_crone]

This was so entertaining to watch! Scratched that geek itch with your %Swole chart for sure. I’m even a non-builder-handyperson type and this was great to watch. Well done

[thomasgcampbell]

Brad, thank you very much for your time and effort.

[robertpennington]

Resided a house w/ an MDF like faux t1 11 of sorts. That Georgia Pacifc siding we replaced was falling apart lol. Over time plywood will (can) last a long time when used appropriately.

[IdovShai]

Brad, thank you very much for your time and effort xo

[Bonsailinse]

I don't even work with wood at all and I still watched the whole video.
Thanks for being both educating and entertaining!