DIY Advice

[Ricochet J]

I need to join together 3mm thick MDF, at right angles to each other. So like this (but without the dowels):

Unfortunately I can't use thicker MDF. Also I've tried using some proper glue but it just comes apart. I've decided to join the pieces together by using a small bracket like this:

However it'll mean I will need tiny screws!

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[PiKe]

Whats wrong with putting a screw through where your diagram shows the dowels?

Edit: Ignore that, 3mm mdf? Good luck

 

[Hagar]

Use an L-section strip , aluminium or plastic, and contact adhesive, epoxy resin glue.

 

[Cosmic182]

Go get some proper glue!!! Either Gorilla glue or Sticks like **** in a tube (unibond) This stuff sticks anything!!! and I mean anything!!!! We use it to stick bricks together when cut at a 45* angle and the only way to seperate is by smashing the brick!. I can tell you now, screwing 3mm mdf will just not work no matter what screws or brackets you use, it will always be weak As said below, I think you would struggle achieving a decent dovetail joint with just over a 16th of an inch MDF (if youre up to it, give it a whirl and glue it) otherwise personally I would be looking at sticks like **** by unibond or Gorilla Glue.

 

[LOAM]

Look up Dovetail joints then glue them with the above glue

 

[Ricochet J]

Look up Dovetail joints then glue them with the above glue

I don't have a router to make the dovetails.

 

[LOAM]

3mm MDF you could do it with a stanley knife and a hacksaw

 

[Cosimo]

Make an L shaped bracket the width of the mdf then glue using post #4.

 

[DogsBody]

stick a length of wood in the corner and stick the 2 pieces of mdf to that, unless you need the corner to be clear to butt up to something.
What is this MDF being used for ?

 

[famas]

Would be helpful to know what you intend to use it for?

If its not supporting any weight I'd just use good old PVA glue and pre drill a 1/16th hole for a panel pin to hold it together while the glue goes off.

Don't get pulled into the media hype around gorilla glues etc, they are just hyped up rebranded polyurethane based resins and will offer no benefit in your situation.
PVA is more than sufficient enough for use on MDF. It needs to be held under pressure while curing to achieve a strong bond.

If you have space you can cut a small square of wood the length of the join, say 10mmx10mmxlentgh and using PVA rub the block into the right angle of the join.
Once cured this will add a lot of strength.

 

[Black Dynamite]

Would be helpful to know what you intend to use it for?

If its not supporting any weight I'd just use good old PVA glue and pre drill a 1/16th hole for a panel pin to hold it together while the glue goes off.

Don't get pulled into the media hype around gorilla glues etc, they are just hyped up rebranded polyurethane based resins and will offer no benefit in your situation.
PVA is more than sufficient enough for use on MDF. It needs to be held under pressure while curing to achieve a strong bond.

If you have space you can cut a small square of wood the length of the join, say 10mmx10mmxlentgh and using PVA rub the block into the right angle of the join.
Once cured this will add a lot of strength.

Came here to say this, add a small block of wood to the corner and it will add some strength to the join. Again, depends what you need it for I suppose.

 

[pitchfork]

Brace with a length of wood.

 

[Maccapacca]

Mitre mate

 

[darreny]

Mitre and 3 splines

 

[Mark A]

Finger joint it and use PVA glue. Expanding polyurethane glues are not as strong as PVA and are quite messy for small work like this.