finishing MDF parts prior to assembly

[Guest_Jim O'Dell]

I think I finally might get to start assembling the ClearVue I purchased a few months ago, this weekend. In thinking about the envoirnment this will live in, I'm considering sealing the MDF with something prior to assembly. What have others done? I'm thinking a couple coats of sanding sealer, followed by a couple coats of door varnish. Anyone have any reasons to think this would be bad? Thanks for your help, and ideas from what you have done! Jim.

 

[Bob S]

Jim,
I sealed the MDF edges with wood glue and water, 2 to 1. 220 grit sand. One coat of 2# cut shellac. 220 grit sand. One coat of 100% acrylic gray paint. 220 grit sand. Another coat of paint. I also made a stand on wheels and leveling jacks out of 2X4's for the cyclone. I gave the stand the same treatment as the MDF plus filling and sanding the 2x4's first. I'm very happy with the result. Good Luck!

 

[Bob S]

Jim,
Correction on the wood glue and water ratio, it's 3 to 1.

 

[Guest_Jim O'Dell]

Thanks for the replys, Bob. I went ahead and did 2 coats of water based poly. I think it will do what I need, and I had the stuff on hand. I'm building my "hanging tree" now. Actually it's built and I've got a coat of primer on it now. Will do the finish coat later today after it dries for a while (and so do I!) I'm building a 3 sided frame to mount the cyclone on that will sit inside the closet. I've found that black styrofoam that Ed packs the cyclones in is a great sound deadner. I will have it sit on 8-6" long pieces of this, with 3 blocks at the top to keep the frame from contacting the wall of the building. If I thump the closet wall, there is a definate "ring" in the rest of the building walls. If I thump the"tree", it is a muffled thud.
On a non related question for anyone that wants to chime in here, I'm missing a step in the directions on the web site on the assembly of the cyclone. I'm not seeing how to mount the wooden top ring of the cyclone cylinder to the bottom of the fan shroud. I do see 6 holes drilled in the top of the bottom MDF piece of the fan shroud from inside, but they don't appear to be drilled all the way through. Do I use wood screws down from this into the wood ring of the cyclone? Then use the screws of the cyclone to mount it to it's ring? I think this would work, but I want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong before I proceed. Thanks! Jim

 

[Jim O'Dell]

Originally posted by Guest_Jim O'Dell@Aug 13 2005, 10:21 PM
...On a non related question for anyone that wants to chime in here, I'm missing a step in the directions on the web site on the assembly of the cyclone. I'm not seeing how to mount the wooden top ring of the cyclone cylinder to the bottom of the fan shroud. I do see 6 holes drilled in the top of the bottom MDF piece of the fan shroud from inside, but they don't appear to be drilled all the way through. Thanks! Jim

Another Clear Vue owner I "met" on the Sawmill Creek forum has answered this question. Thanks again Phil! Now I'm down to mounting my impeller, and hoisting this thing up on to the frame I built for it. I'm taking pictures of this as I go, so I'll post some in a few weeks when i get this all sorted out. Thanks for all the help. Jim.