Home Racing World

Hi all
I am planning on re doing my basement wood track..... But the local lowes and home depot only carry 3/4 MDF ....way to thick . Anybody now where/ how to get some....or a suitable alternative?
Thanks

I've had both, and frankly, I found 1/2" to be fragile and susceptible to moisture problems.

Proper lumberyards will carry all sizes, and it will be better quality than Lowe's or Home Depot, both of which stock cheap foreign crap exclusively. Also, look into the various grades. There is heavy duty MDF that I hear good things about.

Rob, apologies, but cannot agree. Not even slightly.

There is no quality issues with any of the MDF that Lowe's or Home Depot have. All my tracks have used them and all but one still with us.

My Lowe's simply ordered it for me. Talk to the service rep.

I've built or helped build 6 tracks down south and all the MDF was bought at Home Depot.

Regular MDF does not like water, it is best to paint all surfaces before you assemble your track. Many people have used 3/8ths MDF and that can be hard to find unless you go to a cabinet shop.

Any cabinet supply warehouse should have it if there is one in your area. Other than that I have bought it at Lowe's or Home Depot and not had any problems with it. Maybe try Menard's.

Where the difference shows is when you build sectional road courses with elevation. If its laying flat or almost flat, you can stand on it without trouble, but if its elevated, the difference in the tempering (the slick surface) of the MDF really shows. I'm tearing down a track I worked very hard on to restore, and found that the MDF had gone soft, making it unstable. I am going to put it in the dumpster and go back to my old track, which is 3/4" MDF, and completely flat.

I got 1/2" MDF at my local Lowes with no issue - they had tons of it, and US-made, but that was 6 or 7 years back now, I must admit.

Home Depot had it too, but they would not cut to size in the store, claimed there were dangerous chemicals released during cutting. Lowes had no problem cutting for me though.

1/2 inch MDF should be the most common size out there. I don't know why your local stores don't have it. 1/2" is plenty good enough for a slot car track that spends its life in a dry building.

Where are you? In NJ both Lowes and Home Depot carry 1/2" and 3/4", other sizes can be special ordered.

Never had an issue using 1/2", even unpainted, just have to keep it away from water.

Moisture is the key. Where I live, there is a 5 month stretch every year when MDF needs protection. Normally, paint is enough, and I firmly recommend it. Depending on where you live and how the track is housed, what Harry and others are saying is gospel, but it is critical. Get 1/2 inch damp for just a few days, and the clock starts ticking. I can't tell you how disappointing it is to watch a track that is just fine slowly start to develop sags between supports over just a few years. As I say, if it is flat, it just won't mess up, but the liability of a damp environment is amazing. Protect your investment by taking the time to thoroughly paint all surfaces with a paint that resists moisture, and that includes the slot itself.

Under no circumstances let any of this put you off building your track! Just resist getting in hurry and seal every surface. You'll be fine, and if you live where there is very high humidity part of the year, avoid elevated sections that aren't enclosed. HRW is full of great documentation about building tracks. And you must know by now that HRW is loaded with advisors for any of this stuff.

One of the guys in my club had a leak develop in the water line that went to his refrigerator. Unfortunately water got on to his track and the slots were not painted, so the track was damaged. He had to repair one section of the track with Bondo. If you have water lines running over your track and especially if there are taps for a refrigerator or humidifier you will need to take extra precautions.
If it was me I would support elevated portions of the track with plywood. Even fairly thick MDF can sag with time.

Regardless of the materials used, when it comes to distance of span, common sense dictates that thinner material requires more support. At the same time, that thinner board will make bending contours and elevations easier to do. If I were concerned about high levels of moisture, I wouldn't use MDF at all. I currently have three tracks and one under construction. None are made of MDF. One is particle board, which is my favorite road surface for urethane tires. The other three, which I built to withstand moisture, are made of MDO which is a plywood sign material designed for outdoor use.

How about this MDF if you can find it. Moisture, rot and termite resistant.

http://metrohardwoodsmaplegrove.com/pro ... Ap7_8P8HAQ