I’m building a sizable toy chest for someone, and wanted to use cherry plywood for panels (1/2”), but after checking out prices, would like to consider another option. It seems that I read somewhere that birch plywood is very similar in grain to cherry, and is often used as a substitute? I could just stain the birch a light cherry color, and I’d still have the look I’m after, at about 1/2 the price. I’ll be using QSWO for the frame, not cherry, so they’re won’t be an issue regarding a mis-match with real cherry aging versus the birch.
Anyone?
Replies
substitute
Birch does have similar grain pattern, go for it. But, IMHO, oak and "faux cherry" or real cherry for that matter do not go together very well at all ! If I were to mix lumbers it would be cherry & maple or cherry & beech.
Red Alder is probably the best substitute for cherry. But of course, if it doesn't have to match real cherry, it doesn't matter much, does it?
Actually if you're using oak frames, why not use oak panels, just treat them differently...like fuming the panels before assembly?
I agree with Ring that mixing
I agree with Bruce and Ring that mixing cherry (or dyed birch or alder) isn't necessarily a harmonious combination, in my opinion. They take finish differently and have different textures. Let the QSWO be the focus. It's attractive interesting figure. Then use a plain sawn, or even better rift sawn oak ply for the panels. (Avoid the less expensive rotary sawn oak.) The contrast would be between of more dramatic figure of the QSWO and the tamer panels (especially with the rift sawn, which gives nice straight grain, that might appear to be quartersawn with some woods, but is enough off the quartersawn to avoid the flake figure.
A comment without offence to your reply...
I understand your point and you are correct. ... mixing cherry (or dyed birch or alder) isn't necessarily a harmonious combination, in my opinion. They take finish differently and have different textures... Very correct!
This is a toy chest that will live a long and hard life. Using premium woods can get very expensive these days. Mixing wood types can be cost effective and still be nice looking. I think a chest or some large to small 'box' looks wonderful with 'contrast'. Yes.. there are objects to build that really need the same species of wood throughout.
I only comment because I almost always mix wood types. Such as for frame members and panels. I often mix different woods (I find available at lower cost) even in members of the same type. Frames.... I 'try' to keep of the same type of wood. Panels can be almost anything. (Just my opinion).. Yes, it is true, you have to be very selective when mixing wood for large panels.
I wonder what a harmonious combination really is? As for, different textures... I love that look.
Your comment on... Then use a plain sawn, or even better rift sawn oak ply for the panels. (Avoid the less expensive rotary sawn oak.) ... rotary sawn oak? I think you were talking about plywood? I am NOT above using plywood in any project I make...
I can spend hours looking at 'flat sawn' boards in the racks. My local hardwood supplier will let me stay all day 'looking' and moving around the wood so I can see the end grain... they never bother me. They will always take the time to answer any stupid question I may come up with. Their main customers are 'finish carpenters' that come every day. They come first.. They spent ALOT of money.. I can live with waiting at the back of the line. (Owl Hardwoods here in Chicago. A 'plug' for them.. great folks) . Nobody from Owl ever told me I had to wait. I just did because I knew that the 'trim' folks spent huge sums of money and I spent 'huge sums of money' at a very different level of income.. MUCH LOWER...
Anyway, I can find MUCH quality Riff and even QS, (If I rip them) from boards, that I found in the 'flat sawn' areas.
I guess this all boils down to.. Spend at least 3 times as long slecting your wood than you think it will take to make the project?
Birch for Cherry
It works pretty well... many furniture and cabinet mfrs do it this way. High quality results are skill dependent. I once saw an interior entry from an attached garage that was flanked by two closets. The closet doors were cherry (REAL cherry) raised panel doors. The garage entry door was steel (required for fire rating). They had hired a very skilled faux painter to paint cherry woodgrain on the steel door and it was magnificently done! Unfortunately they had some less skilled painters stain and finish the REAL cherry doors and they looked kinda shabby beside the beautifully faux finished steel door. This is an uncommon sight as most faux finishes are of poor quality. My point is that you may well find that what you save on material will be spent several times over on the finish work. I am personally extremely skilled at faux finishing and yet it would be difficult for me to justify saving money by using birch where cherry is desired. I might do it for many possible reasons but saving money is the LEAST likely reason.
Why QSWO
I am curious why you are using QSWO for the frames?
I am curious why you are using QSWO for the frames?
I would think very stable and very pretty if you can afford it.
A Timber Tart?????
Oh my...........
Regards,
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