Plywood advice

[timb]

Got 3 sheet of 3/4 in Birch "furniture grade" plywood for my cabinet bookcase project. They loaded it on my station wagon so I didn't notice until I got them off, that one sheet is a bit warped.

Should I try to exchange it or will it likely pull flat satisfactorily. The warp is across the width about 2/3 of the way along if I remember correctly

Thanks,

Tim

[Daryl]

I'm not giving advice, but please post a picture of your station wagon with three sheets of plywood on it.

[cabinetman]

If it is that serious, take it back for another one. You may be able to "counterweigh" the sheet to try to take the warp out. Or if it isn't that serious, cut that sheet into less important parts and counterweigh those (it's easier with small pieces).

It could have happened leaving the environment it was in, like an air conditioned BORG, and then to your premises. Or, having it stored in a way conducive to getting warped.

[cgallery]

I agree w/ Cabinetman. You may be able to get it flat during use. But, depending on the amount of warp, it can be difficult to cut, and it can distort other members of the assembly. And I've had some that was borderline usable become totally unusable once I cut it down.

[Garasaki]

For what it's worth, it's also more dangerous item to cut (then a flat piece) as the wood may warp further DURING the cut and become unstable.

[timb]

Thanks guys,
Given all the pieces of this project are fairly large I think it may be difficult to work around the warp. Not sure what you mean by "counterweight". I can image clamping a minor warp out during assembly.

It's the local lumber yard and they store it flat on racks in outside sheds so no ac. Only got it last weekend and it was obvious once we got it off the car so it didn't happen since I got it. Think I'll give them a call today and ask if they will exchange it.

I'm not giving advice, but please post a picture of your station wagon with three sheets of plywood on it.

Actually it was 5 sheets - had two 1/4 in 8X4s also. Didn't take a picture but it's a '94 Camry with a factory rack. I amended that with a couple of 2X4as crossbars lashed on with some 1/4 inch cord. The factory Xbars are wimpy and curved. I was worried I may have to make two trips but they put it all on and things seemed fine so I went for it. It only about a 4 miles trip on surface streets. Was a bit windy but the car never got airborne

Tim

[sacherjj]

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't thinking of this shot.

[timb]

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't thinking of this shot.

Wow - that's funny I'm suprised they loaded it at all even with a waiver. He must have in a royal PITA to get them to do it. What was that guy thinking??? Completely off topic but reminds me of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q7K1bBhjkY

[Daryl]

Thanks guys,
Given all the pieces of this project are fairly large I think it may be difficult to work around the warp. Not sure what you mean by "counterweight". I can image clamping a minor warp out during assembly.

It's the local lumber yard and they store it flat on racks in outside sheds so no ac. Only got it last weekend and it was obvious once we got it off the car so it didn't happen since I got it. Think I'll give them a call today and ask if they will exchange it.



Actually it was 5 sheets - had two 1/4 in 8X4s also. Didn't take a picture but it's a '94 Camry with a factory rack. I amended that with a couple of 2X4as crossbars lashed on with some 1/4 inch cord. The factory Xbars are wimpy and curved. I was worried I may have to make two trips but they put it all on and things seemed fine so I went for it. It only about a 4 miles trip on surface streets. Was a bit windy but the car never got airborne

Tim

Necessity rules. I had the picture Joe posted in mind when I read your original post.

[xli1]

I'm not giving advice, but please post a picture of your station wagon with three sheets of plywood on it.

If you are trying to find out how to use a car or station wagon to carry plywood, here is a picture for you. It worked fine without any problem. I have used this method many times successfully.

[timb]

yeah its not so hard so long as you don't overload it like the other picture above - the amount he had on there would be a good size load for a full size pickup - and you strap it down well.

Your rig looks a little more adventurous than mine. The most adventurous I got was bringing home an 7ft chip board verneer shelving unit on the top of an 84 civic sedan - 20 miles on the freeway too - no problems. I tied it through the cabin. Didn't want the improvised wing to rip the rack off

But I think the comments was more a case of station wagon envy than an enquiry as to how it's done

tim

[drumpriest]

Depending upon how warped the sheet is, you might be ok. I've found though that even if the sheet isn't warped, there is no guarantee that the cut up pieces will remain flat. You should design your case suck that it tries to hold everything together straight. Dados, rabbeted back panel, nice straight face frame if you are going to have one, etc...

[JimD]

I carried a lot of stuff on top of my previous SUV with a roof rack. I got a new Suzuki the middle of last year and got the genuine Suzuki $200 cross bars. First time I carried a full size sheet, the roof rack connection to the vehicle failed (it was a friction clamping arrangement) and the plywood did a little damage to a following vehicle. I was going about 45 mph a little uphill with a mild, maybe 10mph wind. My point is just that stuff on top is a bit precarious. If you keep the speed down and don't carry too much it will probably go OK (and avoid the Suzuki cross bars).

I retired the roof rack, it is damaged anyway, and bought a little Harbor Freight trailer. It is a bit of a pain to store but it folds up and has casters so it isn't too bad. Seems a lot safer.

Jim

[timb]

oops!

Its a good point - why I tie through the cabin if I'm going very far. Probably wise to lash the front end of the load to the front of the car also to prevent it lifting but that's harder to do these days given all the integral bumpers and such.

Trailers have their own set of issues but obviously much better capacity and easier to load. You won't loose the roof rack but things can still blow out of them if not lashed down properly

Tim