Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Oct 07, 2003 11:32pm | #1

   What is "rotary" plywood? I've heard of the face veneers being "rotary cut" but never have I heard of "rotary" plywood.

   Rotary slicing of veneer is just cutting the wood on a large lathe type machine like toilet paper comes off a roll. It is the cheapest, most efficient way to make veneer. It tends to make for a very "wild grain" look to the veneer and doesn't look too much like real boards.

   Better hardwood and decorative veneers are not produced with rotaty cut face veneer.

1. 
   fredb | Oct 08, 2003 12:03am | #2

   Hi,

   Thanks. Rotary plywood would be what you stated as the top veneer. So you say a better plywood biard would be made up of multiple veneers (making it look more like glued up panels)?

   Thanks!Kind regards - Fred

2. 
   ron61 | Oct 08, 2003 01:39am | #3

   rotary cut has less or no joints in the  veneer and has a wilder grain- and if you are using flat sawn lumber I think it looks better than a straight grained ply.

   No matter what you decide on plywood still looks like plywood. I'm not sure how you are building your entertainment center but If you where thinking about using the plywood for Finished  Ends { you may be doing a wall to wall Cabinet and it would not matter} you may want to think about doing  Hardwood "stiles rails and panels" ends.

   You could do a Raised Panel or Flat Panel all of Hardwood - $ would be about the same as plywood for materials just more labor on your part. Myself I use Plywood for shelves and interior and use Hardwood on the outsides that show

   Who Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins

3. 
   bill_1010 | Oct 08, 2003 02:30am | #4

   rotary cut looks like @$$ 95% of the time when stained.   Maple veneer is rotary cut, and thats usually the only exception. 

   Rotary doesnt look natural thats for sure.  Look for plain or q-saw cut veneer plywood.   The money you save wont be worth it in the end IMO.

4. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 08, 2003 05:09pm | #5

   Rotary sliced, Plain sliced, and Quarter sliced.  I highly prefer the appearance of Plain sliced over Rotary sliced due to its straight grain.  A 3/4" thick sheet of it here costs about $80-90.

   A lady posted a note here a couple of years ago.  Seems she had bought a house where the model home had plain sliced cherry kitchen cabinets.  They had told her that she would get the same in her new house.  But, what she got was rotary sliced with the wildest grain you ever saw.  Last I heard she was suing.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

5. 
   forestgirl | Oct 08, 2003 06:59pm | #6

   Here are a couple of links that may help.  The first one is a Taunton on-line article, "Selecting Sheet Goods," that explains the different cuts of plywood.  The second one has pictures of an oak buffet built with oak ply in the panels.  The front doors are plainsawn.  The side panels are purportedly plainsawn also, but the wild cathedral pattern seen on the left and right sides of the panel pictured are what you usually get with rotary sawn ply.  IMO, not so attractive.

   Taunton article:  http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00134.asp
   Buffet Pics:  http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot294.shtml

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   fredb | Oct 08, 2003 08:12pm | #7

   Hi again -

   Thanks for great links to the pix and article. I'll read the column in FWW tonight for sure.Kind regards - Fred