Glue up MDF

[nevems2]

What glue to use to glue-up bar top made of 2 5/8 MDF and 1 1/4 red oak plywood. Some exposure to moisture. TiteBond OK or contact cement best? Any other suggestions?

Thanks MB

[todd]

Well, the free Titebond poster that just came in my Wood magazine would recommend Titebond III, which is a waterproof exterior glue.

todd

[Bill Rogers]

Wood glue. I've done it with a table top. One problem. I didn't finish one table fast enough [let it lie for a while] and a wide center panel warped ever so slightly ....enough to make the difference in that material which is BAD on a side-view. A visible slit, however slight, between materials is enough to cause major problems later. It's still leaning against the wall until I decide how I might want to reuse the material.

So, glue up as you usually would [wood?] and make sure you finish both sides with a few coats of varnish to take care of moisture problems.

If really concerned about moisture, don't use MDF which acts like highly compressed paper. It's much like paper from a side-view with regard to strength and moisture expansion and separation. Also, a bar will have drunken woodworkers banging their beer glasses on it with cries for more booze, so I'd go for something more substantial in the first place. Live a little: Solid oak.

Bill.