If dont show up for work tomorrow, its because the Asian plywood industry has taken out a contract on my life.
But heres the truth: All of the Asian plywood Ive purchased from the big box stores in the last five years has been almost impossible for me to build furniture with.
The veneer on the outside of the plywood is too thin. How thin? Today, I carefully removed plywood from a job that I had done last year. I then measured the results. The exterior veneer measured approximately.015 in thickness.
Then I went and measured the thickness of the toilet paper in our publishing companys mens room. Let me say that our single-ply toilet paper is not the highest quality. We occasionally use it on our random-orbit sanders when were low on #80-grit paper (that was a joke, by the way). In truth, the stuff is rough and thin at .005 thick.
The plywood veneer is made from three thicknesses inexpensive paper. Or about two shavings from my jointer plane. Or 30 seconds using #120-grit paper in decent random-orbitsanders. It is just too darn thin.
Whats worse, these sheet goods are also poorly sanded at the factory. There are deep machine marks that have to be sanded out , so burning through the stuff at the edges is inevitable.
There are many more. The stuff is sold wet, has internal stresses or has both problems. When I rip up a sheet of the stuff, some of it will curl like a coopered door. So you can forget about dimensional stability (unless you build coopered doors).
I have had better luck with Baltic Birch-like products as well as premium plywoods from specialty vendors. This stuff is difficult to find in certain areas of the country. My retail supplier shut down several years ago and I have yet find another source within 30 miles from my home.
Because of this, I have had to rely more on solid wood because of the plywood supply.
So I was surprised by the results of our poll last week that showed about 45 percent of our online readers use equal amounts of plywood and solid wood. Either youve found a good source for plywood or youre using it in places that dont show.
Or youre members of the plywood mafia and I should watch my back during my drive home today.
Christopher Schwarz
Want More Woodworking Information? Subscribe to our Newsletters TO GET FREE Plans, Techniques and Reviews.
Do you like tools? We do! Read our latest tool coverage HERE.
Looking for free project plans? We have hundreds. Click HERE.
Learn a new woodworking technique today. Click HERE.
Want more videos? See all our free videos HERE.
Check out our selection of half-price woodworking books HERE.
8 years of your choice on one CD Click HERE.
Product Recommendations
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. Although we may be compensated for sales made through our links, these products have been carefully chosen for their utility and quality.
