Replies

1. 
   philip | Sep 22, 2005 06:40am | #1

   As an ex Zimbabwean now living in New Zealand I am taking liberties, but how about American Red Oak? I suppose it depends upon what sort of surface the customer wants also, after he has painted it.

   Philip Marcou
2. 
   notDusty | Sep 22, 2005 06:42am | #2

           JMadsen ,

                             Typically all varieties of Soft Maple or  Poplar are several commonly used .  The panel could be either MDF or Maple plywood  with an MDF core for smoothness .

                               good     luck           dusty

3. 
   Fingrs | Sep 22, 2005 06:46am | #3

   Hi, Joe.  I'd go with poplar or maple, depending on whichever is less expensive in your area.  Also, thing about 1/2" panels for doors that size.  1/4 might be a little flimsy.  1/2 inch panels, if you center the slot in the center of the rail and stile, gives you a nice 1/8 inch reveal on each side.  If you inset the panels 1/2 inch, and cut the rails tenons accordingly, deeper tenons are not required if you glue the panels to the rails and stiles.  (I go one step further and tack the panels in place with 18 or 23 gauge brads/pins). 

    

4. 
   Segil | Sep 22, 2005 12:45pm | #4

   JMadson,

       For a kids room, I'd go with soft maple.  Strong, dense and stabile, it is usually less costly than hard maple, and will have a high quality perception in the client's home before and after painting.  Poplar wiil also work well if SM is unavailable.

5. 
   ring | Sep 22, 2005 02:51pm | #5

   Soft maple is my choice to go under paint, and at reasonable cost.

   DR

1. 
   JMadson | Sep 22, 2005 03:38pm | #6

   Thanks for the responses.

   I think I'll go with the soft maple (if available at my local dealer). As far as the red oak, I'm assuming I would have to use a wood filler with that to get a smooth finish, correct?

1. 
   Ricks503 | Sep 22, 2005 03:51pm | #7

   Correct, but if this is a painted surface, you can fill the pores with spackling compound.

   I made kitchen cab doors like you describe. I used red oak and filled the pores and then stained them - came out real nice.

   In your situation, I would go with an OAK or a Maple, whichever is a better buy in your area.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

6. 
   Dave45 | Sep 22, 2005 04:54pm | #8

   I've done several paint grade cabinets and usually use birch plywood for carcasses and door panels with poplar face frames, door rails & stiles, and drawer fronts.  Poplar mills beautifully and takes paint very well.  I pick through the poplar to avoid the really deeply colored pieces (green, purple, or black) and use a good stain blocking primer before I paint.

   The grain in red oak will probably telegraph through your paint unless you use a filler before you prime it.  Oak is also more expensive.

7. 
   Pondfish | Sep 22, 2005 05:42pm | #9

   For paint grade I go with poplar, since it is much cheaper than soft maple and just as good.  I use BIN-123 shellac sealer as a primer coat, too.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
8. 
   SLOSapo | Sep 22, 2005 08:00pm | #10

   For its stability and paintability, I'd go with poplar.