Home made ply panel for cabinet door?

[radhak]

I need to have doors for part of a book cabinet, and the plans call for 1/4" RedOak ply supported by a mitered frame. Since the regular 1/4" ply has one good and another bad side, the plan also suggests putting a veneer on it. Somehow veneer seems to be too much trouble to me (availibility, to begin with, then cost).

So I am thinking - could I get by sticking two pieces of 1/4" back-to-back? Obviously then it become 1/2" thick, but with two good faces! Anybody think that wouldn't work for whatever reason? I was of course thinking of using regular Tite-III glue, but am willing to consider Contact Cement.

Overall, the net size of the panel I'd need is less than 10 sq ft.

[AlanWS]

I've done it, and it worked fine. I cut a rabbet in the back edge to make it fit the groove in the rails and stiles. I used titebond, and don't recall exactly how I clamped the two together. But it's not all that critical to get a strong bond between the two faces.

The door has remained flat after a few years of moisture cycling.

[JR]

If it was me, I'd probably just put the less-nice side on the inside of the cabinet and learn to like it!

JR

[cabinetman]

You could glue the two pieces together with either TB II or III, or contact cement. Or, if you decide to try the veneer, there isn't that much involved, and it would add to your experience. Besides, you would have a choice of what the veneer would look like. It may look better than the face you would have used for the front.
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[radhak]

Alan, your experience gives me confidence, thanks for the info.

I have past experience of the 'make do' with as-is, and this time want to do one better.

CM, your post has made me ponder. This is a nice chance of gaining experience - particularly because this would be a pretty small and hence handle-able. And the veneer might be look better than a big-box ply. I have to start thinking where I can get the veneer...maybe a trip to Woodcraft is in order.

[cabinetman]

Alan, your experience gives me confidence, thanks for the info.

I have past experience of the 'make do' with as-is, and this time want to do one better.

CM, your post has made me ponder. This is a nice chance of gaining experience - particularly because this would be a pretty small and hence handle-able. And the veneer might be look better than a big-box ply. I have to start thinking where I can get the veneer...maybe a trip to Woodcraft is in order.

Another great place for you is Constantines Wood Center on East Oakland Park Blvd. It's East of Andrews Avenue and about one block before Dixie Highway on the right going east. Were you thinking of the Woodcraft on Federal in Pompano?
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[radhak]

Yes, that's the one.

Have yet to visit constantines. Mebbe I shd now.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Spend a couple hours going through HD and Lowes 1/4" oak faced ply and you will find clear on both side.

Gluing up 2 1/4 sheets would be a breeze, with veneering not being much harder, though possibly a little more expensive.