Hello Guest,

I know what you are talking about when you say HDFB, or, HDF. It is not the same as 'hardboard'. It is often used as a core for grained flooring and panelling.

Can you tell me what you want to use it for please? I know you mention 8' x 4', but, often this type of manufactured board, which is essentially compacted glue and wood dust, gets thicker as the sheet size increases.

There is so much about, whether it be flooring or doors or general boards for lining walls and making furniture.

I did a quick search and there is some types made in the US. But more often than not the companies are Chinese, but, as China owns and runs these companies for delivery of this product just about anywhere, do you have any likes or otherwise as to whether the company is China who then ships and has a sales force in the US, or do you want entirely US? The outcome may be than an apparent US product will be imported under a US sounding name. To me it hardly matters as HDF/B is certified as being a certain strength and hardness. Though the hardness if often not obvious, as it is plastic film coated or high pressure sprayed. And in other cases the hardness will be the same on the 'face' of the board as ordinary wood depending of what you order as the 'facing' when it is used as a 'core'.

I have nothing to do with the trade in HDF/B at all, and I am just a person who was in the building trade in UK and Europe, though that was a while ago.

Any help you give by way of the minimum thickness and size would be a great help in the searches I do. So please bear that in mind.

Sincerely, bb

Thanks for your reply. 1/4" and 5/16" HDF was the only material that was available to him. If it were available in 1/2" and 3/4" thicknesses, that would be great. I want to use it in my woodworking projects as a replacement for plywood and solid woods. I'm aware of the hazards of MDF/HDF (formaldehyde glue), but I will take precautions. It would be nice to buy "made in U.S.A.", but cost may force me to buy Chinese. I have some flooring that is 5/16" thick x 4' long x 8" wide, but not suitable due to the embossed pattern. A more dense than MDF panel, 4' x 8' is what is needed.

I still can't sign in.

Hello Guest,

I understand what you mean, and that you would sooner buy 'Made In The USA' and all, and I may well find somewhere yet! But that was not one of the search fields I entered. However, I will try a search for Manufacturers now.

You still did not say what you want it for? You realize it may 'warp'? Though as I understand it the HDF is less likely to warp than the cheap and inferior MDF.

I will do some searching for you now. Can you tell me where you live, roughly, State for instance?

bb

I'm afraid your question is unanswerable without additional information - because HDF is sometimes used as a synonym for single-sided (hardboard) materials, but it is also used for what are effectively densified MDF. Best get your Canada goose to describe the product in more detail (Q: "Is it smooth one side and with a sort-of woven-fibre appearance on the other?").
If the answer corresponds to hardboard, you know where you are. If not, remember that HDF is not a standard term for solid product, and ensure that you when buy the product it is manufactured to a specification that you understand.

Hello Guest,

There is a couple of 'guests' on here now and I am not sure if you are the OP?

Check this USA sight out. It seems to do MDF, and the HDF you want.

http://www.kronospanusa.com/

I am in the UK and Europe so you may know the area better than me?

At least it is American even if the Mother Company was European!

Good luck, bb

Be careful with anything from China. It doesn't matter what certifications or specifications it is supposed to meet; they are very happy to substitute cheaper or even dangerous materials and slap any certification you would like to see on it. The chinese drywall that is emitting H2S and eating all the copper in my house has an ASTM number stamped all over it, but it doesn't really meet the spec because they mixed in polluted ash, scrap metal, and possibly the bodies of dissidents.

HDF makes a great workbench top because it is very flat and smooth. It also machines very nicely. I've bought it at lumberyards in the US before, but only in thicknesses of 3/4" and 1" (nominal).

Hello crusader911,

Fare point made with ref" to the Chinese goods.

You can't recall where you got the HDF in the USA? This is info' for the OP.

bb

Home Depot & Lowe's. I used to see it all the time, but I haven't shopped for it lately. I'll check this weekend. I hope it's still easy to get, because I'm planning on using it for some shelving I'm going to install this summer.

Hello crusader911,

I thank you for the sources. I hope the OP is reading to see them as well!

bb

In simple terms:

MDF is the end product of a 6 inch layer of fine sawdust impregnated with glue and compressed down to 3/4 inch nominal thickness then cut to size and sanded smooth.

HDF is the end product of 16 inches of fine sawdust impregnated with glue and compressed down to 3/4 inch nominal thickness then cut to size and sanded smooth.

HDF is suitable for building furniture and in fact is found is some high end furniture at may fine furnitur retailers. It must, however, be well laminted with a fine wood laminate product, or formica, or some other good quality laminate. If it is simply stained, painted and or clear coated as a raw product, it will not hold up due to its unique ability to wick moisture.

It can be found at most lumber yards in my area, but the yard will most likely have to special order it and you will have to pay shiipping.

Good Luck