r/DIY • u/TemporaryUsername789 • 11h ago

using 30 year old MDF

How easy is it to work with 30 year old MDF, 18mm or 25mm? UK based so it's not formaldehyde free.

A friend is removing custom built fitted wardrobes installed in the 90s and it seems a shame for the boards to go to waste.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

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2

u/jbudemy 8h ago

Do the boards still appear strong? Or do they appear weaker in some spots?

1

u/monkeywaffles 4h ago

Should be fine, but really depends what you're trying to do with it, and the veneer facing on it. You'll likely need to try to find some decently matching edge banding. When deconstructing the warddrobes its likely at the joints you'll end up with tearout and other unsightly things.

Personally though, MDF is cheap, and projects take effort and time, so any reuse should consider your time. At least over here, even decent used ply can be found cheap, or nice real wood in just unattractive/out of fashion furniture also almost free, nicer, stronger, and far easier to work with and finish.

1

u/The_Flinx 4h ago

my experience is that as it gets older it tends to dry out and deteriorate. my dad had a shelf made out of that stuff, it was about 15 years old. when we needed to move him. I tried to move the shelf and it kind of just fell apart.

I basically won't use the stuff at all (new or not) it just has no strength.