Anybody using MDF for test carves?

[Lincoln96]

Is anyone using MDF to makes "trial" carves before breaking out the "good wood"? I was using pine & poplar for the trial runs, but it's so hard to fine a piece that straight & true with no twist.

I've sort of stayed away from MDF just because I hate the dust. Anybody using it? Anybody have a reason I shouldn't use it?

(yes, I have a 2 hp, dual 4", 2-stage dust collection system)

[spalted]

I use it for tests and for projects.
I don't have any data to support my claim, but I think MDF does have a tendency to dull bits a little quicker than some woods.
That probably the biggest downside I can think of, but I still intend to keep using it.
I like the stability of it, like you said no warps and twists.

[Lincoln96]

Thank you for the reply.
I read somewhere on here that any wood with glue in it would dull the bits over time, I guess that's to be expected. I've never noticed MDF making blades go dull, but I know cedar takes the edge off my planer blades in fairly short order.

How well does MDF finish in the CarveWright? Nice & smooth with no fuzz I would expect? I'm going to give it a try.

[fwharris]

It does carve very well but as stated it is very dusty and good dust collection is a must.

[Dale]

I've used MDF a few times, the only drawback that I see is the dust. Some people also use styrofoam and I guess that also produces a lot of "dust"

[Mike1]

I use MDF fairly often and have had no issues except I find the dust does tend to cake in the carve area, possibly my DC is not strong enough. I have also used rigid styroafoam and had no issues there as well.

[spalted]

I find mdf problematic to finish any time it’s machined not just in the Carvewright.
The cut surfaces are hard to get the finish as smooth as the face of the sheet.
Without going to industrial specialty primers I've had the best luck priming with an oil base primer and then sanding to get rid of the fuzzyness. But it still doesn't look like a tight grained hardwood like maple.
I haven't done enough of it to really give you a good foolproof finishing process.

[Lincoln96]

Found a thin fiber washer the perfect size in a drawer of carburetor parts I had saved for some unknown reason. My head pressure now is right around 75 to 80 lbs. I fired it up, put my piece of MDF in, and away it went. Just like it was meant to be.

[fwharris]

Found a thin fiber washer the perfect size in a drawer of carburetor parts I had saved for some unknown reason. My head pressure now is right around 75 to 80 lbs. I fired it up, put my piece of MDF in, and away it went. Just like it was meant to be.

Great job!

[Lincoln96]

My experience is pretty limited. So far I've used pine, poplar, and birch. Haven't tried maple yet. The pine came out kinda ratty looking, for sure would take some detail sanding to make it presentable. The poplar was better, the birch a little better yet.
Good (straight/flat) pine is hard to find around here. Lowe's used to carry "southern yellow pine" that was fantastic. It had kind of a waxy feel to it. They don't bring it in anymore. I may have to make a "wood run" down to Washington.

Back to the MDF, Is it safe to use a shop vac to clean up the CW if I wait till the carve is over, the power shut off, and the memory card removed?