Help with design - Armorie

[greencat]

I'm building an armorie for my first grandchild and have a question about the structure. I plan on using plain sawn oak plywood.

I could use 3/4 on the sides and major shelves with a face frame or I could use 1/4 on the sides with what I would call rails. I'm not really worried about the cost difference just want this to be well built. I plan on making raised panel doors and solid wood drawer fronts.

Will it be too heavy if I use 3/4?

Is mdf core better then traditional plywood?

Should I consider solid wood?

[Tequila]

I'll try to post some photos tonight of a storage armoire I built for LOML. It's 3/4 plywood sides with a face frame and frame & panel doors. You can use the photos to judge if it has the type of look you're after or not.

[Tequila]

Here's some photos. The sides and shelves are 3/4" sandeply from HD. The face frame and door frames are maple.

Hope this helps you visualize the unit. It is built in three pieces (base, top, and crown moulding) and is indeed very heavy.

[greencat]

Here's some photos. The sides and shelves are 3/4" sandeply from HD. The face frame and door frames are maple.

Hope this helps you visualize the unit. It is built in three pieces (base, top, and crown moulding) and is indeed very heavy.

Very Nice - thanks for posting the pictures

[drumpriest]

I would build it in 2 sections, at least, then moving it will be safe and easy. You'll thank yourself later.

As for materials, I don't think it'd be a HUGE difference in price between say, oak ply vs. oak frame and panel construction. If you know of any smaller cabinet shops around, you may find an inexpensive source of 3/4 x 2 face frame material, which you could use for stiles and rails in your construction.

MDF core ply is heavier, and probably flatter in general than traditional ply, but I wouldn't call it better. I'd probably choose to build with traditional cabinet grade veneered ply before I'd go for the MDF core ply.