MDF units on ebay

The Tardis factor (interiors, awnings, roofs etc)

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meggles
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MDF units on ebay

Post by meggles »

Has anybody bought one of those MDF units off ebay? Around £300. I know they're MDF but apart from that does anybody know if they're any good? Pro's and con's comments welcome.

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Jim San
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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by Jim San »

I'd personally not want to use MDF, it's main attraction is the low price but it's heavy and unless its thick, it doesn't hold a screw as well as alternatives.
It can absorb moisture but that can be combatted by a decent sealant.

How much is the job going to cost on completion. £300 straight off is already a big hole on a projects budget - and you are still getting something someone else thinks fits your needs. It might be perfect but then again, £300 could buy some nice ultra light ply board and you could build exactly what you want.

Also, it depends on how long you want it to last.
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meggles
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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by meggles »

Thanks Jim. This should be my last big job on a van. If I get another it will have to be fit for purpose from day one. I'm getting too old now! I have to get it right first time
I would prefer a used interior from a van with a proper conversion but not having much luck at the right price. Don't like mdf but needs must!

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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by 100leelee »

meggles wrote:Thanks Jim. This should be my last big job on a van. If I get another it will have to be fit for purpose from day one. I'm getting too old now! I have to get it right first time
I would prefer a used interior from a van with a proper conversion but not having much luck at the right price. Don't like mdf but needs must!


Having similar thoughts..
There was a guy on eBay who claimed to do ply units..
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2520337334" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No idea if they are any good, but by all accounts better than msg??

meggles
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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by meggles »

OK, plan 'c' . I may have the chance of a full Devon interior from a C reg pop top. Mines a high top. Would there be any problems fitting it? Thanks

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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by Jim San »

100leelee wrote:
meggles wrote:Thanks Jim. This should be my last big job on a van. If I get another it will have to be fit for purpose from day one. I'm getting too old now! I have to get it right first time
I would prefer a used interior from a van with a proper conversion but not having much luck at the right price. Don't like mdf but needs must!


Having similar thoughts..
There was a guy on eBay who claimed to do ply units..
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2520337334" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No idea if they are any good, but by all accounts better than msg??


That is good quality board, about 3 r 4 times the price of MDF. Much better value for money, it also offers a high quality finish if sanded and coated nicely. We (at school) can get the edges shining like gloss - it takes a bit of elbow grease but it looks fab (there may very small cavities in the layers which become exposed aftr cutting - nothing serious, not weak and they are not deep).
Downside - BFP is pretty heavy stuff. I contemplated using it to make mine but routing out the inside to reduce the thickness and reduce the weight. Lengthy process and wasteful - other way would be to laminate thinner 6mm sheets together but the 2 birch outer layers glued together sticks out like a sore thumb.
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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by CovKid »

Would still rather build my own. Partly down to the weight factor but equally due to the limited scope for modifications with MDF - or even chipboard. After four refits, I finally got the interior I needed and it didn't cost much at all - just battens and tongue & groove which is so easy to work with. Once you've made the main cooking/storage unit, the rest just follows. I don't have particularly good woodworking skills, but it came out fantastic and not one bit of space was wasted (another factor with self-assembly units). Depends what you want really. If you want a simple clinical look, it might work for you. If you want a cosy interior that is very much you, and unique, then its scratch build all the way. You can include hidden drawers, a pull-out worktop, loads of stuff.
Last edited by CovKid on 23 Oct 2017, 10:42, edited 1 time in total.
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meggles
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Re: MDF units on ebay

Post by meggles »

Thanks for that Covkid. I had a go at a DIY job and I made a hash of it. The original set up was ok apart from the bed system (and the weetabix chipboard). I'm hoping for a full interior of a known conversion and work on that.

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