Name of Joiners used with MDF

[davidpryce123]

Hi Group,

I wish to build myself a tv stand using MDF.

I would like to know the name of the joiner that I see in my pieces I see for display in the retail shops.

When joining a corner the joiner has two pieces, the first piece has locking shaft screws into the top with a long shaft that fits to the predilled hole in the second piece that uses a circular piece which is driven by a screw driver or alley key that locks the shaft and hence the other piece together?

It is extremely common, but I am unable to find the name.

Thanks

David

[Mekon]

[e-mail] formulated on Wednesday :

(snip)

IMHO MDF is horrible to use, worse to look at, creates a ridiculous amount of fine dust which is full of all sorts of awful health impacts. A few drops of water on the edge, or a little more on the surfaces ruins the job. I promised mysef a few years ago that I'd never cut that crap again.

If you want to use manufactured board for your project, there is some very nice ply available, which is stabe, durable and with a little edge banding can look pretty good in the application you need.

Mekon

[Mekon]

[e-mail] brought next idea :

Oh and these folks may have what you are looking for.

[Jeff Heyen]

David,

Is this what you're looking for:

?page=2334&filter=connectors

[willshak]

on 11/7/2007 4:28 AM [e-mail] said the following:

Like these?

[SonomaProducts.com]

I'm sure you have your reasons for wanting to use MDF. Lots of woodworks don't like working with it because it has some strength and water issues, etc. but I have seen some nice innovative stuff done with this material. It can be cloored or painted and even comes in colors if you can find it.

You were looking for knock-down connectors as others have posted. These are typically used so the item can be shipped knocked-down and easily assembled by the buyer or so it can be disassembled when needed. They can be a little wek and wobbly if you don't plan the joints well.

You might consider conformant screws which are made for joining pressed material such as MDF. It takes a special drill but will be cheaper and stronger.

BW

[C & E]

This 'po boy' uses regular wood screws but it is mandatory that you predrill properly; a through hole in top piece so that the screw has zero resistance, countersink for the head and a generous pilot hole in the receiving piece. Test drill for the pilot hole so that you strike that happy medium of hold without causing 'bloom' at the top of the hole or worse, a split. I prefer a thicker glue like Titebond III which seems to have less water in it and less chance for the wood to swell. Experiment before you do this on a project. I decided that it wasn't worth the extra steps and, not least of all, I hated working with it.

[Peter Huebner]

Collectively go by the name of 'knockdown fittings'.

h.t.h. -P.

Caveat: knockdown fittings have very little inherent strength, particularly when it comes to racking forces. Sheet bracing in the back of the cabinet is indispensable.