Questions tagged [plywood]

A wood product that is made with many thin layers of wood. The layers are generally laminated in alternating grain directions to improve strength and reduce warping.

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How can I safely move complete 4 ft x 8 ft sheets of plywood alone?

I saw this photo of a lounger made out of plywood, and I am pretty certain it would be easy to execute with a jigsaw, sandpaper and patience, but one thing I've never tried is to bring an entire sheet ...
Peter Grace's user avatar
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16 votes
5 answers
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Is vertical storage of sheet goods causing my boards to warp?

I have a consistent problem with warped sheet goods, particularly plywood and MDF. They always seem flat when I buy them, but by the time I use them they are always curved or twisted. It's a source of ...
Jason C's user avatar
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14 votes
5 answers
61k views

How can I cleanly cut a large circle out of plywood?

How can I cut a large (3.5' - 4' in diameter) circle out of a 4x8 sheet of plywood. The preferred method would be one that doesn't leave any holes/marks in the circle's plywood surface. It needs to ...
Programmer's user avatar
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14 votes
6 answers
8k views

How do I remove pencil and lumber crayon marks non-abrasively?

I'm building a small project out of 1/4" Baltic birch plywood. I marked up the boards with lumber crayons and then wrote cut marks and part identifications with a pencil. I did most of my sanding ...
Steven's user avatar
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13 votes
9 answers
22k views

4'x8' length cut - circular saw, table saw, or panel saw?

I'm a complete amateur trying to turn an old 14 wide x 22 long single car garage into a wood shop. Nobody in my immediate family or friends does any serious woodworking, but I do have some family ...
krb686's user avatar
  • 311
13 votes
3 answers
1k views

Is wood movement an issue with edge banded plywood?

For a normal hardwood desk/table top, if you band the edges with a strip of wood, it will not cope well with wood movement. Particle board doesn't suffer from this problem unless you get it wet, at ...
Daniel B.'s user avatar
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13 votes
4 answers
7k views

What are some best practices and techniques for building cabinet boxes with plywood?

I often find myself wanting to build plywood boxes of various sizes for various uses. I realize that the size and use can dictate how to construct the box, but are there some general recommendations ...
Wilco's user avatar
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12 votes
1 answer
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How do I calculate the weight threshold for plywood boxes/cabinet carcasses?

How do I calculate the weight threshold for cabinet carcasses based on the dimensions, material (e.g., plywood, mdf), and material thickness? Has someone already worked out a nice formula that I can ...
bryjohns's user avatar
  • 221
11 votes
4 answers
18k views

Glue spots under stain

I have two pieces of plywood that I joined with biscuits and wood glue (wiping away all excess glue after joining the two pieces. I then sanded the whole piece down to 220 grit. After staining there ...
beattyac's user avatar
  • 538
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why is plywood often undersized?

A lot of plywood products are slightly undersized by 1/32", e.g. 23/32 instead of 3/4, 15/32 in 1/2, etc. The undersizing often requires very careful math and measurements when constructing things, or ...
whatsisname's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
151 views

Properly securing a ramp

I'm building a 2'x2', 3 floor parking garage for my son. I've built the core structure out of 1/2" plywood, with dowels supporting it, and 3/16" chalkboard-paper lined plywood glued on top of the ...
Joe's user avatar
  • 825
9 votes
3 answers
1k views

Gluing plywood to plywood for doll's house floor

I am making a small doll's house for my daughter. This is my first project; I am a total beginner at woodworking, basically what I know is remembered from watching my dad 30 years ago :) It's going ...
Whelkaholism's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
2k views

What's the best joint when exposing to weather (specifically for a beehive box)

I'm thinking of starting a beehive this spring and I want to make my own beehive boxes. I realize that there are kits you can buy and assemble, but I like woodworking and have most, if not all, of the ...
Dalton's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
4k views

Will painting the edges of plywood hide the layers?

If I paint the edges of an oak plywood sheet, will it hide the layers well enough to not show through the paint?
Programmer's user avatar
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8 votes
3 answers
12k views

How do I seal plywood joints effectively for outdoor use?

I have this castle built in my garden out of plywood. The problem is that it keeps leaking. I've tried silicone which doesn't last, and also a window sealant, but since the plywood expands and ...
McGafter's user avatar
  • 417
8 votes
3 answers
12k views

What kind of finish should I use inside dresser drawers?

I'm building a chest of drawers out of reclaimed barn wood. For the drawers I've used 1/2" sanded ply for the sides and 1/4" for the bottoms. They're pretty darn smooth but I'd like to put a clear ...
Todd Sharp's user avatar
7 votes
6 answers
4k views

How can I trim plywood flush to an edge that is not 90 degrees?

I am building a small door. I have a frame that is glued and nailed together that is 1 inch thick shown here: 1/4" birch plywood will be glued to both sides of this. The plan was to glue ...
aquaticapetheory's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
3k views

Glue and orientation of 2 sheets of plywood

I have 2 pieces of 5-ply birch plywood, and I want to glue them together to create a 10-ply piece. My question is, does it matter which way I orient the two pieces? Should the grain be perpendicular, ...
Pubby's user avatar
  • 243
7 votes
3 answers
795 views

Reading a hardwood dealer's price list for plywood

I've seen The Wood Whisperer's video about some of the terms and such you see at a hardwood dealer, but it deals mostly with solid wood. There are some topics he doesn't touch on, like the various ...
mmathis's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
7k views

Can I glue OSB to plywood?

I am planning to build a workbench and want to use layered plywood for the bench top. To keep costs down, I am considering using 3/4" OSB for the base and glueing 1/4" plywood on top instead of ...
Darrick Herwehe's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Would this TV stand made almost entirely of 3/4 in birch plywood withstand the load?

I'm currently doing a TV stand, pretty new to woodworking. And I was wondering if this would be able to hold the weight of the TV + soundbar? Let's say 40 kg / 88 pounds. The TV base is about 99 cm/39....
Octavio's user avatar
  • 63
6 votes
4 answers
8k views

Building a wooden arcade stick case

This is my very first DIY project, I am building an arcade stick: Rubber feet will be attached to those 4 holes. Now I do not have tools for any woodwork at home (will buy once I do start doing more ...
zcahfg2's user avatar
  • 163
6 votes
2 answers
6k views

When did people start using plywood rather than real hardwood?

It seems like old furniture is usually built using nice solid wood but recently (from my perspective) there has been a huge surge of plywood use even in handmade furniture. When did this start ...
Programmer's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
7k views

How can I prevent tearout of plywood when cutting it with a circular saw? [duplicate]

Note: This question was closed as a duplicate because plywood and veneer both have similar issues when being cut with a circular saw. Hopefully the answers in both questions can help out. When using ...
Blue Ice's user avatar
  • 439
6 votes
1 answer
10k views

8 to 12 mm plywood box joints: brackets vs glue(box joint) vs screws

There's very similar question, but there're no answers for my specifics. I'm going to build few open-top boxes to be used mostly as a bench to seat 2 grown-ups, with ability to also carry things in ...
Gleb's user avatar
  • 555
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can I cut homemade plywood on a bandsaw?

Hey guys so this might be a stupid question but I am just a beginner, but can I cut wood veneer on a band saw. I glued 5 sheets of wood veneer together to make it thicker and stronger, but it ...
Melissa K's user avatar
  • 141
6 votes
1 answer
903 views

What is this plywood joining mechanism and hardware for knock-down furniture?

Just came across a plywood joint mechanism, which I found very interesting as new woodworker. Basically I don't know what it is called and can't find any in our local market. I am attaching the photos ...
mustangDC's user avatar
  • 275
6 votes
2 answers
6k views

Having trouble securing the PVC pipe for a Washers Game

I hope this question fits here. I just didn't know where else to turn. I'm definitely an amateur woodworker, but I recently tried to make a Washers Game. The square seemed too easy, so I did the ...
Narnian's user avatar
  • 163
6 votes
3 answers
442 views

Sanding/filing small patterns at an angle

I've got small patterns cut out, about 5cmx5cm, from 12mm ply wood and glued together to form 24mm thick pieces. I need to file down the sides to get closer to the pattern (that I drew on the pieces) ...
TungstenX's user avatar
  • 235
6 votes
1 answer
667 views

Routing out recess for base plate - router table

I want to make a mini router table. The base material is a type of birch plywood with 15 layers or so, 21mm thick. Well if the dictionary serves me right, it's actually called "textured coated board" ...
user1847129's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
2k views

What type of board material can I use for a gaming table's play area?

I'm in the process of building a board gaming table with a recessed play area and this is one of many things I can't seem to find a consensus on. A lot of the build is still in the early phases, but ...
Broots Waymb's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
6k views

How to flatten 1/8" Baltic Birch Plywood for laser cutting?

I use a laser cutter for some woodworking projects. 1/8" (3mm) baltic birch seems to be the standard wood for doing projects with this. But when I buy this wood, it is often somewhat warped and ...
NipFu's user avatar
  • 1,875
5 votes
3 answers
12k views

Sealing plywood from moisture completely - for use as damp-reptile habitat

What would you guys suggest to completely seal wood (probably plywood) from moisture. I'm building a new tank/vivarium for my lizard and while it is not going to be as damp as something like a frog ...
BunnyKnitter's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
351 views

Chamfering medium diameter holes in birch veneer plywood

I've got a project coming up that involves a lot of medium-small holes in several 4x8 sheets of 5/8ths baltic birch veneer. (I don't have the plans in front of me, but I recall that the holes are ...
user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
7k views

How to cut an opening and door out of 3/4" Plywood

I want to cut a mostly rectangular hole out of a piece of 3/4" plywood about 21" wide by 32" tall. I would like the corners to be somewhat rounded (about a 1" - 2" radius), and I want to rehang the ...
Sentinel's user avatar
  • 155
5 votes
1 answer
10k views

Covering particle board to prevent splinters and make easy to wipe

I recently created a little counter / desk thing in my garage, and a shelf above it mounted to the wall. It was never meant to be pretty, but I do have electronics on it (my laptop on the desk often ...
Adam Plocher's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
5k views

Affixing masonite to plywood by example

I'm making a simple woodworking table (nothing fancy but want it to be sturdy + flat) and I'm looking for the best way to affix a 1/4" thick sheet of masonite/hardboard to a 3/4" sheet of plywood. My ...
hotmeatballsoup's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
219 views

Is low-formaldehyde plywood important if the wood will be finished with polyurethane?

I'm willing to pay a premium for low-VOC materials to improve indoor air quality. Recently, I've been using PureBond plywood, which uses a soy-based adhesive instead of urea formaldehyde. This surely ...
Bungle's user avatar
  • 205
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

How to cut and join "wedges" of plywood to form a perfect circle

My wife wants a new dining room table -- a round one of about 4.5' in diameter. I am constructing it out of rift sawn white oak. I will be using 3/4" ply for the table top (MDF core) and then ...
Fortis's user avatar
  • 53
5 votes
2 answers
249 views

How to neaten holes in plywood with hand tools?

I'm making window apertures in 12mm plywood (it's birch-faced) for a doll's house. I'd like the window and door holes to be neat. I could use a router for this and then chisel the corners square, ...
James Youngman's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
887 views

Is the off gassing from plywood harmful when used in a cooking device?

I'm planning to make a solar oven like this one. The linked article mentions the odor suggested volatiles being cooked out of the plywood and maybe the paint So I'm wondering if I should avoid ...
Mike Eng's user avatar
  • 153
4 votes
4 answers
407 views

Is it appropriate for an 8 year-old to act as a 'helper,' ripping sheets on a table saw?

Serious question. I know of a child who at eight years old was instructed to help the operator of a table saw guide large (8 X 4 foot) plywood sheets through it. Neither operator nor child were ...
concern08's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
29k views

What is the best way to transport (ply)wood on the roof of a vehicle?

I just bought an SUV, so I can now transport boards much more easily than in my sedan. However, the SUV is not big enough to fit 4x8' or 5x5' sheet goods, even with the 2nd and 3rd row seats folded ...
mmathis's user avatar
  • 2,622
4 votes
2 answers
5k views

Can miter lock joints be made without a routing table?

I'm planning to build a structure of about 1.2m x 1m x 0.5m (specifically it's a 1:6 doll house) in 12mm (half-inch) ply and don't want to use internal square-section to support the corners, because ...
James Youngman's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
4k views

What is aircraft plywood? What is it used for?

I was looking at boomerangs and ran across the term "aircraft plywood". Going further they just seem to be talking about spruce as in "spruce goose". Does the term "aircraft plywood" have any special ...
NipFu's user avatar
  • 1,875
4 votes
2 answers
13k views

Joint types for very thin plywood

I have some sheets of very thin plywood (beech). By very thin I mean 1/8 inch (3.00 mm). I need to make some small boxes out of it (movable compartments in drawers etc.). What would be a good way to ...
Andrei Rînea's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
13k views

Edge glued panels vs. plywood for furniture

I'm in the process of designing a Murphy bed (wall bed) and most plans I've found so far recommend the use of 3/4 inch (19mm) thick plywood. While some like the look of plywood, I was considering some ...
Daniel's user avatar
  • 223
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

Easy but tough shelving finish

I've made a utility-grade shelving unit for one of our extra-bedroom closets: The stiles and cleats are resawn, cherry-picked kiln-dried dimensional SPF from the big orange store. The shelves are ...
scanny's user avatar
  • 2,199
4 votes
3 answers
3k views

How can I strengthen my 3/4" Plywood Bunk Bed Plan?

I'm working on a plywood bunk bed for our two 4 year olds. Obviously I need it to look cool, but more importantly not collapse on their impressionable skulls. I plan on using 3/4 plywood (.706 or so) ...
Mark Penix's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
677 views

What are some good ways to hang plywood from a wire?

I have an art piece composed of many strips of plywood put together. I'd like to hang it from a ceiling with wires. Here's the tricky thing... The edges of the strips of plywood face the ceiling. ...
chrispitzer's user avatar