Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/2/2009

Question
How do fix mdf boards where the cam-bolt was pulled out of the board?

Answer
Hi David
Nice to hear from you.
This stuff is a bugger to repair and its never very satisfactory but we must try.
Usually the board breaks or seperates when a bolt pulls out as yours has.
The first thing is to get the board back to its original shape if possible. Its likely now thicker where the damage happened because its seperated.
Can you get a clamp over the damage? If you can, try to force a bit of glue into the seperations. Then get a clamping block on either side of the hole. Then a c-clamp to hold everything in place. Really tighten the c clamp down. Let the glue dry.
If there is visible damage on the good side after this theres not a lot you can do about it but a little wood filler may help.
If the bolt hole is too big after this, you can attempt to fill it and re drill. I would fill it with wood chips and glue if its large. Really let the repair dry well before you drill.
Most folks never repair broken MDF board the first time but if it breaks a second time its garbage.
This stuff is so darn heavy one would imagine its really strong but its not.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen