Plywood

[cbrown]

I went to HD today to get 5 sheets of 3/4" plywood for the next phase of a cabinet project. I had planned to get birch veneer plywood (these cabinets will be painted on the exposed outer surfaces, so the grain is only visible inside). But the poplar ply looked better this time--it was cream/brown rather than green tinged, though the color doesn't matter much for this purpose; more to the point, the poplar was all 11-ply (and about $10 a sheet cheaper). The birch veneer plywood was 5-ply (except for three sheets which were 11-ply--must have been a different supplier/shipment). Will I regret getting the poplar for this project?

Chris

[Slik Geek]

Can't give you specific advice about the plywood you bought - not sure if I've seen that particular one before. I have purchased 7 ply from HD previously (made in China). It had instances of large voids that reduced my yield.

In one case, an entire section was of such low quality from those voids that after I had cut a sheet in half, one side was quite flexible (no kerfing necessary).

My advice is to inspect the wood carefully, before cutting and after for voids.

[cbrown]

Well, I've cut up five sheets and found no serious void problems--some small voids in the inner plies.

The cut edges fuzz a bit more than with the birch veneer ply even with a good Freud blade and zero clearance, but basically so far so good. We'll see how it holds pocket-hole screws.

Chris

[JimD]

It should be fine. Poplar is softer than birch but not a lot. I plan to buy some solid poplar boards tomorrow afternoon to use in plantation shutters. Poplar is not usually clear finished but is excellant for painted applications. (I think it's rarely clear finished because of the coloring - green or black parts - and the pretty bland grain.) Strength is about like softwood. Birch is a bit stronger but good poplar plywood would be definitely preferable to poor grade birch.

Jim

[atgcpaul]

I used the poplar plywood for some hanging cabinets. However, I veneered
the faces with cherry. The price was right and looked to be in better shape
than the 7/11 ply they had.

Paul