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i want to build a rack,and the people at home depot and lowes cant cut str8 worth a shizzle,but they do have 16" x 48" MDF boards which is perfect for my hatchling rack

If I understand correctly MDF has a high amount of formaldahyde (sp) in it which could be toxic - I am not sure if a good off-gassing would make it safer or not.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

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0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
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Edited on May 3, 2006 at 17:01:43 by phwyvern.

I don't believe that Medium Density Fiberboard contains any more formaldehyde then particle board or Melamine (which is just particle board with a hard plastic covering) You should seal it anyway though, because MDF can get crumbly pretty quick if it gets wet. I'm building some 4' X 2' X 16" cages right now for medium sized burms using MDF. I'm sealing it with a good quality oil based polyurathane floor paint. This is a very tough high gloss paint that should hold up very well and be easy to clean. Also, make sure to predrill your holes because MDF can split pretty easily.

Mark

>>If I understand correctly MDF has a high amount of formaldahyde (sp) in it which could be toxic - I am not sure if a good off-gassing would make it safer or not.
>>-----
>>Tosha
>>
>>"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"
>>
>>
>>
>>6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
>>1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
>>0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
>>0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
>>0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
>>0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
>>2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
>>0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
>>0.0.1 Lizards of unknown origin

and today i talked to my friends father who builds cabinets and he said that MDF contrary to popular belief WAS toxic to humans when cut.so now i dont know what to do.I cant afford the high end racks for $700 for only 10 units or just a few extra hatchling tubs,I guess melamine would have been the better choice.and when i walk into the snake room i definitly notice a difference in smell from the new rack,so should i dissasemble it and get it out of the room asap

I still maintain that sealing it would solve all of your problems and worries.

Mark

>>and today i talked to my friends father who builds cabinets and he said that MDF contrary to popular belief WAS toxic to humans when cut.so now i dont know what to do.I cant afford the high end racks for $700 for only 10 units or just a few extra hatchling tubs,I guess melamine would have been the better choice.and when i walk into the snake room i definitly notice a difference in smell from the new rack,so should i dissasemble it and get it out of the room asap

so would a water based polyurethane be safe for an open top rack system for hatchlings,would water based polyurethane work on MDF or would I have to find something comparable

Anything that would seal the wood so as to make it waterproof would work... (read the lables of the sealant you plan on using)

>>so would a water based polyurethane be safe for an open top rack system for hatchlings,would water based polyurethane work on MDF or would I have to find something comparable