# MDF Motherboard...just how thick? **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [August 31, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270 "2009-08-31T15:13:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Abstractharmony](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Abstractharmony](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Abstractharmony)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/1 "2009-08-31T15:13:04Z")
Hey guys, I’ve just been out pricing up wood and PVC tubing for my upcoming build and as I was looking at the MDF boards I was struck that the 6mm and even the 9mm didn’t look that substanial to hold everything as a [Motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). What are folks using thickness-wise. Also, would you use the same or slightly thinner MDF for the boxes etc. Many thanks…no doubt been asked a thousand times but a cursory glance bore no fruit… ---
**Author:** ![bustermedic](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/b77776/32.png) [@bustermedic](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bustermedic)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/2 "2009-08-31T16:47:23Z")
mdf is a lot stronger than you realize, especially if it’s primered and sealed or painted. heavy as hell too. ---
**Author:** ![mooslug](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@mooslug](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/mooslug)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/3 "2009-08-31T17:34:22Z")
Related question: Has anyone had any warping problems with 1/4" (6mm) MDF [motherboards](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard)? I am not all that familiar with the material and I am unsure if this is something that should be taken into account when building with it. ---
**Author:** ![tigerkhanLV](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@tigerkhanLV](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/tigerkhanLV)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:56am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/4 "2009-09-01T09:56:57Z")
I just bought some MDF for my [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). Im going to cut it this friday, i’ll let you know how it goes hehe. ---
**Author:** ![Alex41](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/alex41/32/6095_2.png) [@Alex41](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Alex41)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/5 "2009-09-01T14:01:05Z")
Both of the packs I have made have 1/4 inch MDF mother boards. They will flex a bit and if you really pull them but the way a pack is designed (like a puzzle) it keeps everything nice and tight. Plus the alice frame helps rigid up the whole shabang. ---
**Author:** ![chrisman99](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@chrisman99](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/chrisman99)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/6 "2009-09-01T15:19:37Z")
I used 9mm mdf and although it seems a little wobbley as a big piece once you cut the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) out its pretty sturdy. I used 3mm styrene for the boxes which is ideal because most of the thin parts like the fins and stuff are about 3mm in thickness. ---
**Author:** ![Abstractharmony](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Abstractharmony](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Abstractharmony)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/7 "2009-09-01T21:35:45Z")
Thanks for the responses guys. Very helpful… I think I’m gonna go with 9mm for the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) and 4-6mm for the rest of the build. ---
**Author:** ![wackychimp](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/71c47a/32.png) [@wackychimp](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/wackychimp)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/8 "2009-09-04T15:53:26Z")
I used 1/4 and 1/2 inch MDF for my [synchronous generator](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/synchronous-generator) (the backwards 6) and some other box like pieces. Built it up by layering until it was the right height. No warping at all on my pack. It doesn’t start out heavy but after about 2 hours… it’s very heavy. ---
**Author:** ![darkartist81](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@darkartist81](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/darkartist81)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/mdf-motherboard-just-how-thick/31270/9 "2009-09-04T21:48:30Z")
Good luck on the build man! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.