BLACK MDF

[woodworx]

Spectracolor mdf is out of business. Is there any other options for a colored core material that is around $15 a sheet for 3/8 thickness? Has to have good machinable properties. Tempered hardboard would work but it doesn't come in 3/8.

[burchbot]

Hi
The only thing I have found is Valchromat. A 4x8 sheet .750 thick would cost me $160.00 plus shipping I’m not surprised that Great lakes MDF went out of business, they went out of their way not to sell their products.
Dan

[dray]

Spectracolor was at the maker faire about 2 years ago. I could not believe their prices vs standard UL MDF.

Justin it cant be painted?

[harryball]

"they went out of their way not to sell their products."

Ain't that the truth. I was not surprised to hear the news... surprised it took this long.

I practically begged to purchase several sheets to see if we could make a go of a product. They wouldn't do it. I had to go through a retailer of which there were NONE and I couldn't convince a retailer to carry the stuff with a minimum purchase of a full unit.

Since we have our new eStore online and adding/removing products is a simple process I may check out Valchromat and try again.

/RB

[woodworx]

We are trying not to paint anything, ever again. After I dropped my spray cup 2 weeks ago and black paint shot 30 feet across the shop and all over some rift white oak panels and veneer I vowed never to paint again.... I think I got a production job. 500 sheets to be cut up. Maybe more. Just waiting for the deposit and contract.

[cabnet636]

here ya go fellows, valcromat list isi as a supplier

jim

http://www.iscsupply.com/id172.html

[harryball]

My needs are more modest, I want to make small batty items. Even at $160/sheet if it's cut and ship because it's already black I think I could get enough to make it worthwhile.

/RB

[ky_trikes]

If you don't want to paint, how about powder coating?

[gerryv]

Doesn't powder coating require that the parts be conductive?

[terryd]

Not any more

[myxpykalix]

http://www.pprc.org/pubs/indpaint/powdercoat.pdf
http://www.btdwoodpowdercoating.com/

I haven't done powdercoating but it sounds interesting. I relate it to motorcycles and can't visualize exactly how it would look with wood because we are used to various stains and such. This seems like it would be like painting wood and doesn't seem appealing, but who knows..

[woodworx]

powder coating would work, but we are going to lay the graphics on a 4x8 sheet and then cut everything out. Much faster to have a solid core. Anyway I called them. To bring 14 units out to SoCal from N.C. it would be cheaper to lay it up on Gatorfoam. Plus I wouldn't have to worry about all the shipping problems. Lead time on 500 sheets is 4-6 weeks.