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
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
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.
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."
Plywood
Q#
2460 :
gluesize
Submitted
03.25.11
Q:
Can you give me a formula for making gluesize using white glue and water?
A:
Glue "sizing" usually involves watering down a glue compound and usuing it as a surface binder to lock down loose fiber, seal excessively porous areas, and provide a more uniform surface for final finish performance. There have been a few commercial glue size formulations available, but for the most part glue sizing involves mixing glue, such as the white (or yellow) polyvinyl acetate adhesives with water. I have done this successfully with a little experimentation. I usually start with a 50-50 mix of distilled water and glue, try a little on a scrap piece, allow it to completely dry, then sand the surface thoroughly. This will determine if additional thinning is necessary, and depending on the species you are trying to finish, it could be as much as 80-20 water to glue. Best of luck with your projects!
Ang
Plywood
Q#
2459 :
Specifying continuous radial cut
Submitted
02.19.11
Q:
I am using 3/4" birch Europly PLUS to build toys in which both face and back are exposed. I thought I had made it very clear that both sides must be continuously rotary cut so there would be no visible seams in the veneer. What I got was one side with seams, one side without. How should I specify so I get both sides without seams? Also, where can I find a complete description of how to specify furniture grade hardwood plywood? Thanks!
Andy
A:
Andy, first please accept my appology for the lengthy delay in responding. I am obviously not familiar with your particular purchase, but it seems that you did meet your responsibility to specify the product you expected to receive. Your best bet for the future is to reiterate that expectation and ask that your order be confirmed in that manner. As for a complete description of how to speicfy hardwood plywood, the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (hpva.org - 703-435-2900) publishes a buyers guide and product standard that both address that very issue. Thank you so much for your interest in Columbia Forest Products Europly panels!
Ang
Plywood
Q#
2457 :
stability
Submitted
01.27.11
Q:
Is a A1 plywood as stabil for kitchen cab doors as europly?
A:
The terminology "A-1" indicates the grade of the face (in this case, "A") and the grade of the back (in this case, "1") and thus has no bearing on the physical properties of a given panel construction. Europly is a high ply count panel with a decorative edge that is by its design perfectly suited for doors or drawer fronts in certain applications. As are most decorative face and back combinations, it is available with an "A" grade face and a "1" grade back (A-1). Europly panels are, as you infer, generally stable in controlled ambient conditions (65-75 degrees F at 30-60% RH). In all liklihood, you are looking for a comparison between traditional veneer core panel products, which, when manufactured with a balanced construction and same species face and back, is also a very stable panel under similar conditions. Generally speaking, though, the edges of traditional veneer core decorative panels must be treated in some manner that does not reveal the edges. Hope this helps!
Ang