I have a question (or four) regarding the poor quality of plywood out there. I want to use plywood for some dressers that I need for my kids. But when I brought the material home it was not straight and when I cut it on my table saw, the cut strips developed some severe bows. I rough cut the plywood first 1/2 over in width and length before cutting to the final dimension.
So here are the questions:
1. What do look for when selecting hardwood plywood suitable for cabinets?
2. Should I try and use veneered mdf instead of plywood?
3. Can I run plywood over my jointer to straighten the edges before I finish rip the plywood to their final dimensions?
4.Where did I leave my keys?
Replies
Jimmy,
Well, your keys are in the last place you'll look.
As for the plywood, that's a tough one. Ask your seller where the plywood came from. I know that some plywood now is getting made overseas. We ship them the material; they ship us back plywood. It's about as dumb an idea as an executive could come up with. But there you have it. Lumber company executives are not known for their long term thinking. [If any lumber company execs out there want to dispute this, please let me know. The landslides this year in Oregon attest to the idiocy of clear cutting forests.] On the other hand, American consumers are not known for their critical thinking either. They like cheap prices.
What I would suggest is going to your seller and telling him what you want and getting his suggestions as to which product performs better. Talk to the guy who orders the stuff. Tell him that if the plywood goes south on you again that you will bring it back to him. It's their responsibility to sell quality material. And the reputable sellers will.
That being said, it's the consumer's job to understand that if you pay $30/ sheet vs. $100/ sheet for cherry veneer plywood you get what you pay for. Don't expect Select when you buy Utility.
Now, off my soapbox.
Plywood goes wacky when the material tries moving, the plies are too wet, or the glue doesn't do its job. Talk to your seller about which plywood is a better product. MDF core is great but heavy and the dust is nasty. Plywood that bows can be edge jointed but use carbide knives on your jointer because the glue and the end grain will tear up your knives.
Mark, the manager at my local yard, Crosscut Hardwoods, tells me that States Industries and Columbia Forest Products, both made in Oregon, are great products. Look for those or ones comparable to get sheets that stay flat. Good luck. Gary
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