Hi Cali,
I use MDF for lots of jigs and things in the workshop, but it
wouldn't be my first choice for a wheel material, but that is just
my taste,
your mileage may vary. And I know that they do use MDF for many
different
types of furniture but, if I put a drop of water on a piece of MDF
in our
workshop, in a very short period of time there is a raised area
which is
difficult to sand out. Perhaps there are different formulations? I
have only
seen one but that doesn't mean there aren't others I am not aware of.
I think you are correct: it doesn't stand up to direct water contact,
but humidity alone is not such a big deal. I forgot to add that in
bathroom furniture it is laminated with melamine to stand up to direct
contact with water for the reason you mention.
I personally wouldn't use MDF aone for a wheel just for aesthetic
reasons: I don't like the look. I would need to band it and face it as
well. I believe it is possible to get birch-faced MDF as well, and
that could look very nice when banded, almost identical to a “real”
wheel.
Neil said that MDF is too rough for a wheel edge. I do believe that
there are different grades of fineness, so maybe that makes a
difference, but I'm not sure.
-Arle
