I use MDF.

I like GOOD MDF.

I do not like BAD MDF...

Folks I know, and myself, have been using MDF with Laser Engravers, and the BAD MDF creates the soot you see on my hand in the photo, when used with the Laser Engravers. AND THAT's NOT GOOD!!!

I had been going to Home Depot for the GOOD MDF, since other stores were carrying BAD MDF.

Home Depot stopped carrying GOOD MDF... I tried 3 different Home Depots, and they'd all migrated over to BAD MDF... I cleaned-them-out of any remaining GOOD MDF...

So I asked one the folks at the Home Depot Contractor's Desk if he knew how to get the GOOD MDF back in the store. The only info he was able to provide, though, was the name of the distributor that supplies them with their MDF.

I make my stuff using 1/8" and 1/4" MDF at TechShop in San Jose....

Step 1: So I Called Their Distributor...

And the good folks at Universal Forest Products chatted with me, but did not understand what I was looking for - they only deal with MDF as a commodity for its mechanical properties.

That's a rotary-dial phone, by the way. Pretty fun, but I never figured-out how to use Speed Dial on them...

Step 2: They Clued-me-in...

So I decided to drive up to Thornton, California, to show them directly what I was talking about. I brought some sample boxes for them to take home to the children...

This is not my car, but it looks really cool!!! I laser-engraved one of these Lamborghinis into my son's skateboard, but that's another Instructable, maybe...

And they took me into their storage warehouses to show me the MDF they have. They had extra safety glasses handy as we searched and found the products in question - dodged a few fork lifts, too.

Cool warehouse, by the way - right on the rail line that the San Joaquins use, I believe...

Turns out that the GOOD MDF is from Plum Creek Timber here in the USA, and the BAD MDF is from Malaysia.

Universal Forest Products was willing to sell me a pallet or (literally) a rail-car load of MDF - but, just like the Lambo, that's outside my comfort zone...

Step 3: So I Called Plum Creek Timber

And they were very happy to let me know who distributes their MDF throughout California.

Scary part is, I once worked for Pacific Northwest Bell in the building caddy-corner to their Seattle office - MANY moons ago...

Turns out, there's a distributor very close to my local TechShop in San Jose!

Step 4: So Now I Have GOOD MDF Again!!!

And my Cub Scouts, son, and everyone else I make stuff for using MDF are as happy as ever!

Yay for GOOD MDF!!!

Oh yeah... I make my stuff at TechShop in San Jose....