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| Hi I have a few questions: I want to build several mobile work stations out of plywood, and am wondering what kind of plywood I should use? I’ve read that I should I use “shop plywood”, but I don’t know exactly what type of wood that is, since it’s not listed that way on any of the websites that sell lumber. Outside of a local lumberyard, is it better to buy via the web, and if so, could you recommend a source? <!—-> <!—-> On a separate question about the workshop, what’s the best way make a tradional workbench mobile? |
Edited 7/11/2006 8:55 am ET by thufir
Replies
Yesterday I wrote out an answer to your question and I believe i sent it but it doesn't seem to be listed. Did you get a reply from me? If you didn't I'll start over again.
Thanks, John White
Sorry, I didn't see anything.
I'll write it up again and resend it. My guess is that I almost finished my reply, got called away for some problem, and later shut down the computer and wiped it out. Sorry, but at least I caught it. Will try to send later today or will do first thing tomorrow morning.
John
Shop plywood refers to plywood meant for furniture making that has flawed and therefore much cheaper face veneers, Usually the faces have discolored and patched veneers, often glued up in narrow strips. This is plywood that would look ugly in a finished piece of furniture for a client, but it would be acceptable for your own shop fixtures, hence the name shop grade.
Shop grade isn't an official grade but most suppliers will know what you are referring to if you ask for it. Most often the faces are maple or birch, but they could be anything. The birch or maple faced plywood sold in most home centers is typically shop grade.
In all but the most rural areas you should be able to find a commercial supplier of sheet goods, most metropolitan regions will have several, that supply manufacturers and pro cabinetmakers. If you are ordering from your local lumber yard that is probably where they are getting their better grades of plywood, of course with a mark up in the price when they turn around and resell the goods to you.
I don't have any direct experience with mail order plywood, you can probably get some good advice from experienced users by posting a question on the Knot's forum.
To make lighter benches movable, you can put a set of wheels on one end of the bench, often times by putting an axle right through the legs, and then picking up the other end of the bench, wheelbarrow style, to move it around.
John White
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