Replies

1. 
   Woodrow_Butcherski | Feb 13, 2001 02:22am | #1

   *
   I also saw that episode and am wondering how the finish on the panels didn't get all scratched up from the handling and sliding over the saw table. I am quite confident if using laquer, it will scratch just by looking at it. Using a quick drying varnish wouldn't be much better. Remember when Tom scrapped the sheets with a razor blade? I tried that but didn't notice any difference in the end result.

1. 
   Kim_Carleton_Graves | Feb 13, 2001 03:09pm | #2

   *Hi Tom,See if you can find pre-finished maple ply and tape at your dealer. That way you don't have to finish at all. It's used for interior pieces where you can't really see the finish.Best,Kim Carleton GravesuCarleton Woodworking

1. 
   Madison's_dad | Feb 13, 2001 07:41pm | #3

   *Hi Tom I have used the prefinished maple ply a number of times it works fine for interiors. I think that the finish is a conversion varnish its pretty bulitproof. As for gluing the box's I don't glue them at all unless I have a finished end then I use biscuitsChris

1. 
   tomc5 | Feb 14, 2001 03:12am | #4

   *Kim-I have shopped around for prefinished, not available around here. What would the "tape" that you mentioned be for?? Do I presume you work with prefinished 4x8's? If so, do you notice any significant extra wear on blade and bits? Do you spray interiors a final time after assembly ? Do you dado your carcase joints? any concern about glue joints when using prefinished?

1. 
   Kim_Carleton_Graves | Feb 14, 2001 03:20pm | #5

   *Hi Tom,Pre-finished is a standard item that you should be able to get or order from any plywood distributor. Don't try and find it at Home Depot. Look under plywood in the yellow pages. The tape is edgebanding tape that's pre-finished as well so exposed edges (like interior shelves) can be constructed as well.This stuff is cheap - I just bought 24 sheets of ¾ for $1.79 a foot. More expensive then cabinet grade birch but not much. And you save an enormous amount on labor. It's meant to be used as is, not sprayed a final time. See Andy Charon's answer to your post on the Finishing Forum.In terms of wear and tear on your cutter heads, it's cheaper to replace them or have them sharpened than to put in the extra labor to finish - you're charging the same whether you finish or it comes pre-finished. Right?Best,Kim Carleton GravesuCarleton Woodworking

2. 
   hotsawdust_ | Feb 15, 2001 03:00am | #6

   *I've used a prefinished ply called NOVAPLY several times recently: takes away many headaches. I think its manufactured by States Industries so look for a dealer that handles them. I was concerned about how the finish would hold up to workshop rigors such as sliding over sawtables etc, but it does very well. I cant get very excited about this type of work but when you have to do it this stuff makes it a lot easier.

3. 
   Robbie | Apr 23, 2003 08:46pm | #7

   States Industries has a decent web-site and provides test results for their pre-finished sheet goods.

   Pretty impressive results:  http://www.statesind.com/pdf/lab_4105.pdf

2. 
   Joe_Fusco | Apr 24, 2003 04:58am | #8

   Tomc5,

   I myself use all ¾ pre-finished maple plywood for all my carcass interiors. I can get it in either one side or two side finished. I pay about the same as Kim does. If you can’t buy pre-finished were you are then it would be in your best interest to first cut the “parts” then finish them individually before assembly.

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