Storing plywood

[newood2]

How do you store a 4X8 sheet without getting it warped. I bought a sheet of 3/4 birch to use the same day but some other things came up so I had to set the work back a month. Now the sheet is warped in all directions. I had it leaned up against an inside wall. I noticed even smaller pieces warped if I don't use them.

Howie

[Tequila]

If the wall is concrete or brick, the plywood can wick in moisture that contributes to the warping.

My basement is stacked stone walls and brick floors. I built a platform out of PT lumber to stack my plywood on, and it leans against more PT lumber attached to the walls. I've had some sheets stored there for over a year with no warping.

[cabinetman]

Plywood should be stored flat. Of course, that is a lot of floor space. Second best is to store on edge, with the 8' length horizontal, with some moisture barrier between the plywood and the wall. If there are smaller pieces store with the greater length on the horizontal. It should sit at a very minimal angle (as straight up as possible). Underneath, put a moisture barrier and wood cleats (2 - 3) that can be 1" - 2" wide and long enough to rest under the edge (or edges if there are several sheets), to keep the plywood above the floor and allow air flow.

[Slik Geek]

Inspired by a reader's idea in Wood or American Woodworker, I built a storage system as follows:

An "L" shaped 2x6, where the bottom is about 8 feet long, the riser a bit less than 4 feet. 3/4" plywood on both faces, all cut from one piece of 4x8, where the front has more of the stored plywood exposed. The riser is "hinged" on a pipe attached to the wall, so that it can be rotated out from the wall for access to the plywood. (The bottom 2x6 has wheels).

I've got so many scraps and not-yet-used pieces of plywood in there that nothing warps - it is all held firmly!

[Tom Miller]

Was it, by any chance, an "inexpensive" sheet that you got at HD? If so, there may not have been much you could have done, short of storing it in a 4x8 veneer press. The one piece of this stuff I bought is now referred to as "potato chip ply".

In general, though, the advice you're getting should do.

Regards,
Tom

[ejs1097]

[QUOTE=Slik Geek;250588]Inspired by a reader's idea in Wood or American Woodworker, I built a storage system as follows:
QUOTE]

I've seen this system in Shop Notes No. 17. it includes board storage above the ply's 4' line and cut off storage behind the sheet storage (which is why it's on wheels and pivots).

Looked like a great idea.

[mikel]

anyone got a picture ?

...mikel

[sacherjj]

I store mine in the side of my shed. I put my lumber rack starting at 4' high, to give clearance for the sheets laid on the 8' edge. I cut 2x4s 4' long with 75 degree angle to meet the floor and a 15 degree angle to meet the wall stud. These are screwed to the wall stud and 3/4 plywood floor. Then I cut a "shim" 2x4 with a 15 degree angle for the plywood to sit up on and screwed to the floor. With 6 supports every 16", the plywood is well supported, with 8" overhang at each end. With the panel raised off the floor from the second 2x4 piece, I can put one of those plastic plywood carry handles under it really easily to get the piece out.

[Tom Miller]

I guess I didn't answer the earlier question of how to store ply. I posted this mobile lumber rack a while ago. Although this isn't quite sized for 4x8 sheets, you get the general idea.

If you make something mobile, don't underestimate the caster load of a lumber cart. Of all my mobile carts, this is the one that could use a caster upgrade.

Regards,
Tom

[stleestv]

o man, i wish i had seen your mobile lumber rack before I built mine. mine is basically a large bunch of shelves on wheels, hrmm, i gotta think about taking it apart and recycling the parts to make one like yours

[radhak]

anyone got a picture ?

...mikel

I think this is what they are talking about.