posted
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.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
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.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
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
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.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
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.
[ July 03, 2003, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Ron Helliar ]
-------------------- Ron Helliar Marysville Sign 11807 51st Ave. NE Marysville, WA 98271 (360) 659-4856 Posts: 263 | From: Marysville, WA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
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.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
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.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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so there.
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