In short, I’m building a computer case out of wood, I’m using Tiger Maple as an edge and 2 sheets of Walnut ply for the centers. The Maple is going to be cut to make a 24″x24″ picture frame style frame for the ply to fit into. I’ve already ripped the wood to the correct size and just need to Rabbet the interior edge to accept the ply and Miter the ends to glue them together. My question is, would it be better to sand all the Maple and ply together once I have the piece together? Or should I sand the Maple BEFORE I glue it together to form the fame? I feel like sanding it before would be hard to get a nice flush finish around the frame after I glue it, and I’m really not sure if I can sand the ply much because it’s just a Walnut Vernier over standard pin ply so I’m worried about sanding through the Walnut. I’m new to this entire process, but I’m loving it so far! Jake
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Finishing computer case
I recently made 2 similar cases for my grandchildren except my frame was birch. I highly recommend that you sand maple and ply before miter and before you glue up. You miters need to be flush from the get-go. Sanding to get 'flush' corners is a fool's goal in my opinion. Don't ask why.
unless you plan on glueing the panel to the frame rabbet to stabilize the liters I would consider spline for the same purpose - maybe walnut to complement the ply.
What ever you do, do not power sand the ply. Hand sanding up to 320 lightly should suffice.
When you glue in the ply be mindful of squeeze out. Taping is not recommended from me. I may not have the proper taping technique, but any squeeze out is a bear to correct before finishing. Again don't ask why I say that. If you finish the frame before glueing in the panel that can help. Since a strip of panel, and the rabbet, must be finish free for gluing, do tape those before finishing.
Make a practice piece of other wood & ply and practice your technique!
Forrest
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled