Help!!! Who carries 1/2 MDF

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Just when I think I caught up to manmade materials, something comes along that has been in use for 30 years that I never heard of. Thanks, Pappy.

[slothead]

Years ago a local salvage store had 3/4" flooring sheets on sale and I bought a bunch - but OMG they are so heavy I don't know how I got them moved around. When I built my road course 2+ years ago I went with 1/2 MDF, still heavy stuff but much more manageable.

The best part of my 6' x 14' are the elevation changes. The start straight and pits are at table top level, but the rest of the track was cut out from the sheets and rises up to form multiple levels. The 1/2" MDF from Home Depot worked out great for an elevated back straight and a banked corkscrew turn that is sooo fun to drive.

My only suggestion would be to prime/seal all sides of the sheets before starting work on the track. I intended to do this but only sealed the top surface before impatience took over and I started routing and then couldn't wait to get it taped and wired. No problems so far, but one more day of prep time would have been good.

Slothead

[tracyridge]

wow!!
thanks for all the replies
I am in buffalo ny. the current track I have now is MDF 1/2 inch . which is a perfect thickness, I think
.... I am still looking around it, only in the planning stage with the new track..... trying to decide if I should go digital , a hybrid track perhaps ...... analog/ digital hmmmmm...... planning is part of the fun!!!!

john

[Nor Cal Mike]

My track currently under construction id Scaley digital. It has been a pretty fun build thus far.

[Ramcatlarry]

Having a source of track decking is key, and 1/2" IS the preferred size for main decking. It allows good flexibility for banking and elevation changes. Keep the local cabinet shops in mind, since that may be the only or BEST place to find the 1/8" and 1/4" MDF that is VERY handy to make edge barrier walls from. Many times all you need is some of their drop offs from their projects. Nor all grades or sizes can be found at our 'big box' hardware stores.

[Pappy]

I just bought a sheet of 1/2" MDF at Home Depot yesterday.

I use two layers of 1/8" Baltic Birch for my side rails. You'd have a hard time breaking it.