[rockdrummer]

Hello fellow DIY'ers.  I have pieces cut for A/V-1 monitors.  I made my circle jig, have everything I need........  Went to buy a mask at the hardware store.  I didn't buy the $40 respirator.  I gather that is the best way to avoid formaldahyde vapor.  The guy also mentioned I shouldn't vacuum up the dust with my home vacuum.  I don't have a shop-vac.  My dyson has a HEPA filter, but I would rather not use it if people agree that it's a bad idea. 

Any advice?  Can I use my home vacuum safely?  Am I paranoid?  What do other builders do that do not have a proper woodshop?  Just trying to be careful.  I am working in my garage where there is plenty of air circulating through. 

Ben

[mcgsxr]

Not sure my advice will be agreed upon...

I just sweep it up and toss it into the garbage.

I don't go so far as to vacuum my garage after playing around with mdf.

I do my circle cutting on the deck, and sweep it into the grass.

[S Clark]

Not sure my advice will be agreed upon...

I just sweep it up and toss it into the garbage.

I don't go so far as to vacuum my garage after playing around with mdf.

I do my circle cutting on the deck, and sweep it into the grass.

+1, cut it outside with a plain dust mask and googles.  Sweep up what you can and let the wind take care of the rest.  It's bad, but not that bad.

[Peter J]

To clarify, there is no formaldehyde "vapor" when machining. Some, not all, MDF has formldehyde content in the glue that binds it all together, thus the dust it produces when cutting will contain formaldehyde. Most any dust (particlate) mask will filter well enough to catch the dust, the Achillies' heel being the seal from face to mask, which a good respirator does better. I have other opinions but I'll leave it at that.

The hepa filters in your vac will certainly capture the dust, the down side being the fine dust that MDF produces will tend to plug filter, so it may require frequent replacement. I can't see any way it could actually damage the vacuum.  Cutting outside is an easy way to mitigate a lot of the concerns.

The Dyson's got a cyclonic first stage with a hepa final filter, right? Theoretically most of the dust should end up in cyclone bin or whatever it uses to contain the debris, but I have no direct experience.

[PDR]

A sweeping compound from Home depot spread over the dust will help, its very inexpensive. I would always wear a mask of some sort as well.

[rockdrummer]

Thanks so much for all the info.  I feel better about it.  That guy painted a dire picture.  Whether he did it to get me to buy something, or whatever, I wasn't sure if I needed more stuff. 

Looking to get going and add pictures tonight or tomorrow for my progress so far.

Again, thanks for the insight.

Ben

[planet10]

Any advice? 

Ben, just don't use MDF. You can build a better cabinet with quality plywood.

dave

[Æ]

Hello fellow DIY'ers.  I have pieces cut for A/V-1 monitors.  I made my circle jig, have everything I need........  Went to buy a mask at the hardware store.  I didn't buy the $40 respirator.  I gather that is the best way to avoid formaldahyde vapor.  The guy also mentioned I shouldn't vacuum up the dust with my home vacuum.  I don't have a shop-vac.  My dyson has a HEPA filter, but I would rather not use it if people agree that it's a bad idea. 

Any advice?  Can I use my home vacuum safely?  Am I paranoid?  What do other builders do that do not have a proper woodshop?  Just trying to be careful.  I am working in my garage where there is plenty of air circulating through. 

Ben

Here is a link to some very good information. Hopefully you'll read it, I just did.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html

[Æ]

Ben, just don't use MDF. You can build a better cabinet with quality plywood.

dave

Plywood contains formaldehyde.

[srb]

Plywood contains formaldehyde.

A lot of plywood does, but there are a number of sources of formaldehyde-free plywood products including Columbia Forest Products PureBond plywood and Smith & Fong SoyBond bamboo plywood.  The PureBond plywood products are even available at Home Depot.

Steve

[planet10]

Plywood contains formaldehyde.

Based on info from a friend in the business of doing cabinet work and dealing with all the safety issues of a shop, the human body naturally generates more formaldehyde than any MDF or plywood.

The problem with MDF (besides being a poor material to build speakers from) is the very fine dust.

dave

[planet10]

Smith & Fong SoyBond bamboo plywood.

Quite a few of the bamboo plys have the same level of "green-ness". The stranded varieties are a superb cabinet material ... pricey and more work to take full advantage of the potential aesthetics.

dave

[Æ]

Based on info from a friend in the business of doing cabinet work and dealing with all the safety issues of a shop, the human body naturally generates more formaldehyde than any MDF or plywood.

I thought it was methane that was escaping every time I fart.

[Æ]

(besides being a poor material to build speakers from)

Regardless, the OP asked about MDF and the health effects of formaldehyde. So your reply is essentially worthless.

[S Clark]

Based on info from a friend in the business of doing cabinet work and dealing with all the safety issues of a shop, the human body naturally generates more formaldehyde than any MDF or plywood.

The problem with MDF (besides being a poor material to build speakers from) is the very fine dust.

dave

Dave is a big fan of plywood, however, not everyone is convinced that MDF is "poor" material to build speakers from.  Plywoods have their advantages, but mdf or hdf can work quite well when properly braced.

[Æ]

Dave is a big fan of plywood, however, not everyone is convinced that MDF is "poor" material to build speakers from.  Plywoods have their advantages, but mdf or hdf can work quite well when properly braced.

Yes, we all know what Dave thinks with the emphasis on thinks. Still though, the OPs concern is mostly about formaldehyde.
I just read up on the human body and formaldehyde. Dave should check on his supposed facts before printing them.

"What are possible sources of formaldehyde?
The human body produces tiny and harmless amounts of formaldehyde on a daily basis."

http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/indoor_air/Formaldehyde.aspx

[pwag]

SierraPine makes formaldehyde-free MDF.

http://www.sierrapine.com/index.php?pid=11

Never used it but is on my list for future projects.

[rockdrummer]

Thanks, AE, I just read that too.  I guess vapor is wrong, but it certainly is a gas. 

Thanks everyone for the information.  I didn't know there were people who think MDF isn't good for enclosures.  I guess we learn everyday!  I was planning on sealing everything with either a glue water mix, primer and paint so the only thing I would be reconsidering is whether to use MDF on my next speaker project.  Lord only knows when that will be. 

Woke up this morning and had no clue I had sparked a debate. 

Ben

[Æ]

Thanks, AE, I just read that too.  I guess vapor is wrong, but it certainly is a gas. 

Thanks everyone for the information.  I didn't know there were people who think MDF isn't good for enclosures.  I guess we learn everyday!  I was planning on sealing everything with either a glue water mix, primer and paint so the only thing I would be reconsidering is whether to use MDF on my next speaker project.  Lord only knows when that will be. 

Woke up this morning and had no clue I had sparked a debate. 

Ben

You're welcome.

Those who say plywood "sounds" so much better are misinformed. Any enclosure regardless of the material used, should have no sound of its own! If it has even a little bit of "sound" then it already has too much.

Successful enclosures can be built from any number of readily available materials. I, like so many other people, prefer MDF for several very good reasons.

[planet10]

Those who say plywood "sounds" so much better are misinformed.

My opinions are well-formed. If youwant to delve deeper http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/construction-tips/98834-discussion-what-materials-build-speakers-out.html

dave