free mdf from ikea

amandajane · Post by **amandajane** » 11 Dec 2008, 18:47

When I visited Ikea Bristol last week they had an amount of MDF that they use for packing and large broken bits of wardrobes etc. in the underground car park near the exit, we asked a member of staff and aparently they put it there for people to help themselves to! :-D

My friend and I had 3 big bits of MDF for a project in the new year, and I thought you thrifty lot might like to know its there (f+

Amanda x

4 french hens · Post by **4 french hens** » 11 Dec 2008, 18:52

Beware.

MDF is carciogenic.

Be sure to wear face masks when cutting and remove all dust from the pieces you are keeping. Please use power tools that have dust capture systems or extaction systems.

Undercoat with special product before painting.

Mike

Meanqueen · Post by **Meanqueen** » 11 Dec 2008, 19:21

What is MDF ? confused>

Ilona

stace · Post by **stace** » 11 Dec 2008, 19:30

Medium-density fibreboard MDF

its used alot in make over for houses etc

stace

Meanqueen · Post by **Meanqueen** » 11 Dec 2008, 19:40

Thanks for that, I wondered if I should rush over there to get some, if it is free :-D

maybe not, I don't need any.

Ilona

Nellie · Post by **Nellie** » 11 Dec 2008, 19:44

Meanqueen - it's sold in sheets in varying thicknesses, and is extremely fine in texture, unlike chipboard. It's brown in colour; the colour of cardboard infact.

Its fineness makes it ideal for planing, sanding, etc, so as Stace says, is used internally in a house and no normal house makover would be without it.

I used it for shelving as my walls are old and uneven and I needed to ensure it ended up flush with the walls, and it was perfect for that.

amandajane · Post by **amandajane** » 11 Dec 2008, 20:20

Thanks for the tip Mike - I didn't know that :shock:

Not planning to cut it though, just stick lots of family photos to it ans PVA glue over the top )t'

Amanda x

kate egg · Post by **kate egg** » 11 Dec 2008, 20:25

My brother-in-law works at our loacl Ikea, apparantly the waste they produce is horrendous. One guy actually left because it upset him so much

bluebell · Post by **bluebell** » 12 Dec 2008, 09:49

Amandajane, thank you for sharing that. )t'

I didn't realise that Ikea were wasteful at all. I find that quite shocking.

kate egg · Post by **kate egg** » 12 Dec 2008, 12:43

Any damaged goods that cannot go in bargain corner are dumped even though they are still functional and could be useful for family charities etc.

springkell · Post by **springkell** » 12 Dec 2008, 18:06

I've heard there is a campaign against IkEA, does anyone know what its about?

Stig · Post by **Stig** » 16 Dec 2008, 18:08

The point about MDF being a carcinogen. It's true, but remember ALL wood dust is potentially carcinogenic. Particularly hardwoods because the dust is so fine. Always wear a facemask where there is dust even if it is finest quality english oak.

Post by **saint-spoon** » 17 Dec 2008, 11:33

Well said stig. I cannot over emphasise the need to protect you lungs from what could been seen as innocuous dusts that are now proven killers. Even without the risk of cancer dust can cause irreversible damage to the respitory system even in small doses. Be warned.