Howdy all, from Adelaide

[BeeCee8]

Just wanted to say hi and to get some tips and advice. Working with wood and timber has always been of interest, so as a newbie i'm looking forward to experience stories & tips.

As my wife and I are expecting our first baby, I've decided to start easy by making a change table frame to place a pad in. This frame would sit on top of a chest of drawer I bought from IKEA.

So my first question is what would be the best type of material to make the frame with? As a newbie, I was thinking MDF. Second question is how does one prepare MDF?

Many thanks,
BeeCee

[tdrumnut]

Gidday BC, welcome aboard hope you enjoy the journey.

[Alby123]

Hi BeeCee and welcome to the site. Many years ago I built a change table for my wife and our first born. It was a very basic unit which was set on castors for easy movement to where ever you needed it; back then I used particle board. The top had bench press foam covered with vinyl. My youngest son is now 23 years old, so it was well used for all three of our sons. When I had no further use for it it was then passed onto friends for their children and as far as I know it may well be still being used.
I'll check my photos to see if I still have a photo of and post it . Hope this helps you on your way.
Cheers Alby

[coffenup]

welcome aboard the forum
nice to see more south aussies joining the forum
regards MIchael

[Sir Stinkalot]

So my first question is what would be the best type of material to make the frame with? As a newbie, I was thinking MDF. Second question is how does one prepare MDF?

Hi BeeCee,

For the top section of a change table to sit on top of a drawer unit I would go with MDF for the base, and then pine for the sides of the frame. If you Google change tables you can see a few options for the top section and most just consist of a frame with some fancy edging (depending on how detailed you want to go). It would also be worth getting some of that non slip matting to put between the change table and the drawer unit as they have a tendency to slide around a bit.

Stinky.

[JJF]

welcome aboard the forum

[DaveTTC]

G'day BeeCee


Adelaide is my home town. Welcome aboard. MDF does not really need any prep, just cut glue and screw as required. Depending on the cut you may want to sand the cut edge and slightly round any sharp corners with a couple of passes with sand paper.

Hope you load some pics of what your working with, maybe a sketch of what you've got in mind but definitely a pic of the finished product.

Congrats on the baby

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "BeeCee".
I think you'll find a few folk from the the Sth Aust on the forum and the rest of the world.
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork.
Cheers crowie

Take care with the MDF, always use a good dust mask....