MDFplater

MDFplater is a term used in woodworking to describe a craftsman or technician who works with medium-density fibreboard (MDF) panels to fabricate, finish, and install components in furniture, cabinetry, and interior fit-outs. The role combines cutting, shaping, joining, and decorating MDF panels to create functional and decorative surfaces and structures.

Applications of MDFplaters include kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, shelving and storage units, wall panels and wainscoting, doors and door facings, countertops substrate, and decorative laminates or veneers. MDF is favored for its smooth surface, dimensional stability, and ease of finishing, which makes it suitable for painted surfaces, laminates, or veneered appearances.

Techniques commonly used by MDFplaters involve precision cutting with table or panel saws, routing for edge profiles, and edge banding or veneering to produce clean, finished edges. Fastening often uses screws, dowels, or cam-lock systems, and joints may employ biscuits or pocket-hole methods. Finishing steps include sanding, priming, painting, laminating with high-pressure laminates, or applying veneer and protective coatings.

Materials and standards: standard MDF panels range from about 3 to 25 millimeters in thickness, with moisture-resistant variants available for damp environments. Panels are typically made from wood fibers bound with resins and may emit formaldehyde, so low-emission or E0/E1-rated boards and proper dust extraction are important. Edge treatments and surface laminates influence durability and appearance.

Tools and safety: common tools include table saws, panel saws, routers, edge banders, drills, sanders, clamps, and dust extraction systems. PPE such as masks, eye protection, and hearing protection is essential due to dust and noise. Environmental considerations focus on dust control and responsible disposal of waste and offcuts.

See also: MDF, carpentry, cabinetry, edge banding.