Plywood Q# 2476
:
Plywood product recommendation
Submitted
04.12.12
Q:
I just retired and started woodworking and want to build an entertainment center, kitchen hutch, bookcases and the like. With all the various products, grades, and core types I am lost as to what would be a good general plywood product to use for these projects. Any recommendations? Thank you
A:
Congratulations on achieving this milestone and for your choice of diversions to utilize your time!
As you are discovering, there are a bewildering number of considerations for panel products for home projects, including species, grades, cuts, matches, core options, and the like. My recommendation, as with any new endeavor, is to start with the simple. The Home Depot offers veneer core panels in a couple of thicknesses in red oak and birch. The grade for the decorative surfaces of these panels is "C" for the face and "3" for the back. This means the face is a mid-range grade with a generally very pleasing appearance which does include some naturally occuring characteristics including small knots and possibly mineral streaks or discoloration that should not distract from the overall appearance. These panels make an excellent choice for any project, including the ones you indicate. They are easy to saw, shape, edge band, sand, and finish to just about any stain and topcoat you can choose. Because they are produced with a veneer core, sometimes called a "plywood core," the edges will show the different layers constituting the core, so most folks choose to cover this with an edge banding of veneer tape or solid lumber that may subsequently be profiled in your choice of styles.
You may also find a dealer in building supplies in your area with a few more options in species and core, so this may also be an option for you. Other core choices may include medium density fiberboard (MDF) or particleboard (PBC). These also machine well and offer a very smooth sanding surface. They are generally 25% or more heavier than veneer core, but the thickness tolerances and surface quality are somewhat better than veneer core, though they are not quite as strong from a physical properties consideration.
If your mind is set on choices not available off the shelf at Home Depot or a local dealer, you may want to consider an option to go to The Home Depot Pro Desk and special order your panels. There you may choose from a wide variety of core, species, and grade options for the number of panels you need. To learn more, please visit our website, ColumbiaForestProducts.com. Chose "Locate - Retail Distributors - The Home Depot." There you will find our special order process along with a pdf file you may print off to take with you to the Pro Desk at THD to ensure you get what you want. This process takes a little time, but if it meets your needs, it is a very good choice.
I hope this helps. Thanks so much for your interest in Columbia Forest Products' PureBond Hardwood Plywood Panel Products!
Ang
Plywood Q# 2473
:
Red Oak
Submitted
03.19.12
Q:
What state does the red oak veneer come from, or is it canadian?
A:
Most of our domestic face veneers, including red oak (Quercus spp.) come from managed forests located across a wide range from the upper mid-western states including Michigan and Wisconsin, to name a couple, to the New England region all the way up to Maine, and down into the Allegheny regions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additionally, some of our oak, maple, cherry, and birch does come from Canadian resources located in a generally narrow band region along the US and Canadian border. Thanks so much for your question. Sorry for the delayed response!
Ang
Finishes Q# 2471
:
How to finish Europly edges
Submitted
02.17.12
Q:
I am about to start building a walk-in closet using Europly, specifically for the look of exposed edges. What is a recommended finishing schedule to get smooth edges?
A:
Sand the edge by hand or machine satring with 150 grit then 180, then to 220 or 240 grit. Then apply one coat of a water based sanding sealer, let dry then sand with 320 grit until uniformly smooth. Remove the dust, and then apply 1-2 coats of a waterbased lacquer or polyurethane in satin sheen. I'd use a small brush or possibly a paint pad or roller to apply these products.
Some waterbased products are self-sealing, meaning they don't require a special sealer. They product is both sealer and finish and should say on the can.
Jeff
Plywood Q# 2470
:
Purebond adh & animal product
Submitted
01.16.12
Q:
I'm a furniture maker and will be making caskets for local Jewish congregation, using your 1/2" birch ply; question came up...does your adhesive contain any animal by-products?
Thanks!
A:
None at all. In the very early days of plywood manufacture, animal blood and other proteins were indeed used, but that practice ended back in the 1960s. Current adhesives are plant based with chemical additives that you would find in milk cartons for the wet strength component. Thank you so much for your question.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2469
:
Purebond
Submitted
01.10.12
Q:
Does Purebond itself have any Rapidly Renewable Content? If so, what is the percentage by weight?
A:
The only component in our panel is the soybean flour utilized in the adhesive, but this is a small amount, averaging from 5% to 10% depending on the actual construction. Given that the majority of a plywood panel is wood from trees that generally have a seedling to harvest size cycle exceeding 10 years, that portion is not considererd rapidly renewable. Having said that, wood is one of the few major building components that is renewable at any level. Thanks for your question.
Ang
Finishes Q# 2467
:
Finishing plywood shelving
Submitted
11.01.11
Q:
Please recommend a water-based clear finish for your birch or red oak PureBond
plywood (purchased at Home Depot) which does not require sanding betwen coats,
even if there is a week's delay between applying the several coats. I will
use it for drop-in shelving in metal frame shelving units in a garage and
would like it to resist moisture.
Last time I used an oil-based varnish (Wood Pro from West Marine) which
requires no sanding between coats. it ended up fine, and I could use it
again, but it was messy and took a long time, and remained slightly tacky
for some time afterwards.
A:
You'll have to sand any waterbased coating after the 1st or 2nd to relieve grain raising, but after that you shouldn't have to sand bewteen coats of most waterbased acrylic lacquers. The one I would recommend would be General Finishes Water Based Lacquer
Here is a link
www.generalfinishes.com
Jeff
Plywood Q# 2466
:
Maple plywood
Submitted
10.01.11
Q:
Looking to build a tempory floor with tong and groove 3/4 maple plywood any dangers
A:
I would not advise using decorative plywood of any species for flooring. The engineered flooring on the market today is an exceptional product, and while it is manufactured in much the same way as hardwood plywood, it has a very thick outer skin of maple, oak, hickory, or whatever species is chosen. Hardwood plywood, on the other hand, has a very thin skin perfectly suited for cabinetry, furniture, casework, and so forth, but too much risk for use on a traffic surface. If by "temporary" you mean it will be in place for a very short time and early wear and tear is not an issue, I see no reason why not. But, if you intend for it to be anything of a showcase for any period of time I would advise against it. Thank you so much for considering our plywood.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2465
:
Wood/ Lumber
Submitted
09.10.11
Q:
I am in the process of clearing some land in Westfield Maine 04787. I have some lumber you may be interested in. I have Yellow/Golden Birch,Maple,Poplar,and White Spruce..Would you be interested in coming out for a visit and see what I have avalible?
My name is Chuck Flanagan, My # 207-768-8975.
A:
I have forwarded your question and contact information to our logging division in the north east. Thank you so much for your inquiry.
Finishes Q# 2464
:
picknik table finish & dogs
Submitted
09.05.11
Q:
Hi-I have a picnic table made of clear heart redwood. I also have 2 dogs that will clime on it while I'm at work. I just refinished it with Min-wax Helsman spar poly-urethane and I'm not real happy with the scratches that the dogs are leaving in it. What can I put on over what I have that will it hold up to the weather and the dogs?
Thanks
Craig
A:
There really isn't anything you can put over the existing finish that will stick properly. I suggest removing the original coating and using a marine finish called 2 part urethane. You can find this product at the link below.
Jeff
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=70
Plywood Q# 2461
:
FSC "Mixed Credit"
Submitted
05.24.11
Q:
What is the difference between FSC Pure and FSC Mixed Credit.
A:
FSC Labels
I apologize for the delayed response. As I am not as up to speed as perhaps I should be relative to certification, I deferred your question to our resident FSC pro, Paul Davis. Here is his response:
"There are several different types of labels for FSC certified products. Each label is backed by a different set of procedures that certified manufacturers must follow.
The two FSC labels most often used in the decorative hardwood plywood industry are the "FSC Pure" label and the "FSC Mixed Sources" label.
FSC Mixed Sources
As the name implies, the FSC Mixed Sources label is used on products that contain a mixture of FSC-certified and non-certified material and/or recycled material.
The FSC requires that the non-certified material portion be from "controlled" sources.
This means Controlled Wood must be from sources which are not illegally logged, from high conservation value (old growth) forests, from permanent forest conversions or are genetically modified (GMO.)
Inclusion of controlled wood in the FSC Mixed Sources claims allows converters to process FSC volume much more cost effectively, typically as part of an FSC Mixed (credit) handling approach.
FSC Pure
FSC Pure assemblies contain only wood from forests which are FSC certified.
It is a more stringent claim but more costly to implement complete, separate batching of all FSC-Pure products in the panel assembly.
The invoice valuation for the purposes of LEED is 100% of the value of the invoice as it is in fact 100% wood from FSC forests.
Comparison of FSC Mixed Sources and FSC Pure
By comparison, FSC Mixed Credit panels contain wood from FSC-certified forests, controlled wood or a combination of both.
The invoice valuation for purposes of LEED is also 100% of the value of the invoice."