Lesson Learned - Measure Plywood Thickness First

[buckeye95]

All,

Just a little hint I though I'd pass along based on my recent project. My wife is having me build this for our family room:

http://ana-white.com/2010/02/dresser-open-bottom-shelf

Went to the wood store and bought / had ripped the 2 sheets of 3/4 plywood. Was very careful with the cuts as this was the first furniture grade project I have done and was frustrated when things were not quite square / lining up. Turns out this birch ply is imported and not 3/4", but rather 17 mm (or about 11/16). I was amazed how 1/16" of an inch difference propagates through construction. Now I am trying to see what I can do to square up and fix this so hopefully there will be no drawer issues.

If there's any question, check that plywood before you start (or better yet, before you buy it).

Take care,

Pete

[pelligrini]

Actual 3/4" isn't all that common anymore. Be careful with cheap plywoods they can vary in thickness on the same sheet.

[jkristia]

Yeah, always check actual size, never assume any dimenstions. Same for your own cuts too. Thats what I always try to do, except when I forget

Jesper

[toolguy1000]

.... Now I am trying to see what I can do to square up and fix this so hopefully there will be no drawer issues.......Pete

why not square up the case and tack on a piece of 1/4" plywood of the appropriate veneer on the back behind the part of the piece that is drawers? that will both square up the case and add ridgidity to the entire piece. but check the 1/4" plywood for squareness first using the 3,4,5 rule or a square larger than a framing square. good luck.

[buckeye95]

Thanks for the advice - I will definitely try to square up the shelves with a plywood back cover when I get to that point.

One other item I have been thinking about is the temperature / humidity issue. It is HOT right now here in central Ohio (as I assume it is in most of the midwest). Our outside thermometer reads 98 degrees with high humidity. Should I be concerned about building the dresser in my garage during this humidity, then moving it inside to use? I am hoping it is not too big of a deal, since the main body of the dresser is Birch plywood, which I understand is pretty stable. The remainder of the construction is the drawers, attaching the legs, and trim, which are basically face frames.

Will building this project in the garage, then moving it inside for use cause issues with wood movement / expansion?

Even if I build it inside, I will still need to move it out to stain or paint it, so I think I will need to deal with this issue either way.

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Pete

[L. D. Jeffries]

If I remember correctly, NO ply is a full 3/4-1/2 or 1/4, doesn't matter if it was imported or not. In fact you can buy router bits that are sized for making dado's etc in plywood. They are 1/16 undersize for just that reason. I've had a set for years.

[toolguy1000]

i would be less concerned about plywood/sheet goods than dimensional lumber. kind of facing a similar question myself with 3 prehung hollow core closet doors in a basement remodel. my approach...wait till late september and then paint all 6 sides of the doors (front, back, 2 sides, top and bottom).