this is one of those things i "should" know, but i can't quite wrap my mind around.
i need to cut 4 pieces, 2' x 4', out of a sheet of MDO. the pieces are going to be used for sandwich board signs, so the'll be vertical. do i cut them like this (2' cut in long direction of the sheet of MDO): _______________________ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | [_____|_____ |_____| _____]
or this way (ie, 4' cut in the long direction): _______________________ [ | ] [ | ] [-------------------|-------------------] [ | ] [___________|___________]
I know that one way will reduce the amount of sagging and warping, but i can't remember which one.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Acually it is 6 of one and a half dozen of the other!
It really doesn't matter!
Quality MDO (2 side ) won't warp!
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Always cut with the grain running the long way. Like Si says, on a sandwich board sign it won't make a lot of difference unless you frame it or strengthen the long sides. Use good/2 for best results and thicker than 1/2 inch if you can.
Posted by Rosemary (Member # 1926) on :
No, no no, Si! Always cut them toward the North!! Always north!
hehe
Posted by Steve Nuttle (Member # 2645) on :
I'm sorry for the tone of this but I had a bad day! What the heck is wrong with you folks? I may not know much about design or layout (although I'm getting better)but this I do know. MDO is really nothing more than fancy plywood. Wood warps along the grain. LOOK at a cross section of MDO. The grain of the plys are different. Si is right, it's 6's. Mike what the heck are you thinking?
quote:Always cut with the grain running the long way.
There is no grain to speak of in MDO. There are plys with grain but they all run different. Scooter, cut it any way you want and it will be fine.
Posted by Jeffrey Vrstal (Member # 2271) on :
Here's where the thread takes a ridiculous turn that makes many of us never want to boot a computer again...
Always cut MDO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . away from you. Depending on where you are, that just might be North.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
hehehehheeee...Rosemary...glad to see you've still got your sense of humor!
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
Personally I would cut into 2 4x4's (in half) then cut those in half ... for easier handling on table saw (the way mine's setup)
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
HA!HA!HA!HA! Your better off to cut them on the reverse yeild as you will get less of OFF Cuts!!!
MAYBE?
But are you painting them 2'x4' or 4'x2'?
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
All I know is I have mine cut at the lumber yard and they never warp. Even 2x8's. I think they cut like Mikey says....with most of the 'grain' running the long way. And there is a proper way to cut them, and they do warp if not done properly. so there.
oops forgot to add.....paint both sides at the same time. Don't let one side dry before painting the other....and give each side the same amout of coats.
[ September 28, 2002, 12:20 AM: Message edited by: cheryl nordby ]
Posted by Ron Helliar (Member # 398) on :
[ July 03, 2003, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Ron Helliar ]
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
Yeah, what Cheryl said. ALL wood projects have more strength in the length of the grain than across it. And all plywood has most of its grain running the length - for a reason. Take a look at furniture legs that are curved - the makers will cut and piece many sections together to get support the long way, instead of across. If it doesn't make a difference to you, Scoot - (in this case, no loss of material either way) aim to err on the side of caution and humor me. _________________________________________________________
OK, I'm done - you're on your own.
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
well, i know that plywood (MDO) always has an ODD number of plys, which means that one direction is stiffer in that direction than the other direction, which is why i asked the question.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Hahahahhahaaa...Rosemary, tell Pierre not to take those iron pills with his Viagra....that's why he always points North!
[ September 28, 2002, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
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so there.![[Eek!]](eek.gif)