Is it possible to find unwarped plywood? No matter whether I buy quality plywood from a hardwood supplier or even from the box stores, it never is flat as of full sheet or after I cut pieces to size. When it comes to jigs and workshop items, I’ve reluctantly resorted to MDF since it, too, is stable and is flat. However, it dents easily and doesn’t take screws and glue well.
For this reason, does it make sense to work with solid stock for furniture to avoid warped plywood? Granted, solid wood is less stable but with a protective finish, that should help avoid any warpage that may occur. Also, it can be machined to be flat before being used.
Any thoughts would be appreciated…
Thanks, Brett
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I ended up buying the more expensive stuff. There are layers of MDF in it. On a typical 3/4 sheet, the layers just before the veneer is MDF, as well as the middle layer. Works well. At this supplier they call it ProBoard. That could be a local naming convention however.
Better life through Zoodles and poutine...
I've had good luck with 18 mm (~3/4") Baltic birch plywood for shop jigs and such. You can make it warp if you try hard enough, but everything I've gotten from my supplier in Columbus has been good. That could well be because they supply commercial shops and have a pretty high inventory turnover.
"Regular" 7-ply plywood is far less flat, but I don't use it anywhere there isn't going to be some other element that will help square it up.
-Steve
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