# Need input: material selection for vacuum table plenum **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Created:** [March 23, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/need-input-material-selection-for-vacuum-table-plenum/5960 "2026-03-23T22:56:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fbrahic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@fbrahic](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/fbrahic)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/need-input-material-selection-for-vacuum-table-plenum/5960/1 "2026-03-23T22:56:28Z")
I’m working on a vacuum table for my PRO 4896. I have a Black Box Hurricane pump. I was planning on doing a base layer of MDF that attaches to the CNC, a middle layer of MDF for the plenum, and a top layer of ultralight MDF as the spoil board. I’ve been hearing MDF is a poor choice for the plenum due to its porosity even with sealing. I’m looking at some alternatives. Would love input from others with more experience. HDPE: - Pros: inherently air tight - Cons: not stable with heat - can tend to grow/warp in hot weather. Can’t glue it to the base layer. Baltic Birch: - Pros: more air tight than MDF. More stable against environmental changes. Could seal it. Can glue to base layer. - Cons: Less air tight than HDPE “fancy” MDF - moisture resistant: a little better than regular MDF. Curious what everyone here thinks? Any recs? ---
**Author:** ![berrianmtn](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/berrianmtn/32/4852_2.png) [@berrianmtn](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/berrianmtn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/need-input-material-selection-for-vacuum-table-plenum/5960/2 "2026-03-24T04:16:55Z")
I have a hurricane like vacuum table on by 60120. I have the center 4’ of X as vacuum. The base layer is melamine. I surfaced off one side and cut the air channels. I sealed those and the sides, I believe with polyurethane though next time I would probably use table top epoxy. A layer of 3/4” MDF (surfaced on both sides) is glued on top. I resurface it occasionally and have gotten a lot of use before needing to replace. If you plan to glue the top layer I see no need to use plastic. On my next incarnation I will probably use baltic birch because I can get it in 5’ widths to match my machine better. I would also include threaded brass inserts in known locations so I can easily attach fixture plates or other hold down mechanisms on top of the vacuum table. I don’t do sheet goods nearly as much as I used to and hurricane style vacuum tables aren’t good for small parts. ---
**Author:** ![ThinkboxTech](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/thinkboxtech/32/2787_2.png) [@ThinkboxTech](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/ThinkboxTech)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/need-input-material-selection-for-vacuum-table-plenum/5960/3 "2026-03-24T20:41:55Z")
One thing to consider is that most HDPE will warp when you cut a bunch out of it unless you specifically get the cast and stress relieved type. It can be a bit spendy. Another option for the bottom layers could be a closed cell rigid foam board. The specific type depends on what you an source. PVC, Polystyrene and a few others could work. You would have to test it. Probably cheaper than HDPE. With a bunch of work you could make MDF airtight but I think there are better options. A thick edge banded melamine could work well. I think you can get 49”x97”x1” sheets in most places. Could put the plenum directly in one sheet with threaded inserts to hold the top sheet down. I use nylon 1/4-20 large Phillips head screws to hold ours.