help with a plywood question

LaRue Medlin · May 13, 2010

I'm building a shelf for my work van and I have a question. In my other truck my shelves were made from 3/4 birch. Loved the look and strength, no ragged edges and smooth surface. Well, with the price of birch being 48$ a sheet, I have to find another way to go about this. So if I use regular plywood, 28$ a sheet, how close to "birch quality" can I get? Or do I have to live with it and press on. I know there are different types of plywood. Any help would be greatly appreciated. ( I hope I made sense):banghead:

Robert Caffyn · May 13, 2010

Hello LaRue, I believe plywood can be obtained that has been sanded on one side or both. You're gonna pay extra for it, but it still maybe less than birch. BC

Ps: I think its used for the floors.

mookie · May 14, 2010

How about using Melamine?

I don't know the cost, but it's a nice smooth surface.

I also found the "Sagulator" for calculating shelf sag.

Thomas Rogers · May 14, 2010

Larue,

Have you considered Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)? Maybe one that is coated with white plastic veneer?

It is cheap, strong, and cuts cleanly.

TJR

Jimmy Lavoie · May 14, 2010

MDF is great - cheap and has a nice finish.

Doug Roland · May 14, 2010

Plywood, like so many other things, is graded. Thickness will play a role in this also. The birch ply you had/have is most likely a "cabinet grade" plywood. Meaning just that, made for building cabinets so you can have a nice finish on it when built. "Shop" grade is just the opposite, basic for sub grade i.e. underlayment, sub siding...things usually not as a finish product. AC plywood is generally used (around our neck of the woods)as finished, general purpose plywood, but not cabinet grade, used in soffits and some shelving projects. "Plug and sanded" ply is usually less expensive but has a, hence the term, plugged (looks like an eye shape) bad spot in the veneer, then sanded so it can be painted finish.

I hope this clears that up a little. But like the others have mentioned, melamine (pvc veneered mdf) is great if you want a pre-finished, easy product to work with and looks good (depends on your taste) when done.

Keep us posted.