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Wood selection
cigardude:
Hi guys,
I am building a bartop that I want to get as light as possible so that I can move it easily and bring it over a friends house for parties. I am making it out of 1/2" wood to make it somewhat lighter. I have a few choices for the wood and was wondering what you guys would suggest and why.
MDF
Luan
BC Fir
Birch
Oak
The major point is something that will stand up for years but light to make moving and transporting it easy. Thanks for your help!
TopJimmyCooks:
MDF: works well but heavy, pervasive sawdust is messy. the best choice of these if you're going to paint the cab.
Lauan: Phillipine mahogany - plywood products vary. if it has a good face veneer (layer of wood) it is light and will be ok. Usually not used for any structural application. poor fastener holding at the edges.
BC fir: if you mean BC plywood, that is not an appearance grade and will have knots. If you mean fir veneer plywood from BC canada in an appearance grade, it could be fine.
Birch ply: good all around cabinet wood
Oak ply: also nice, but with a more pronounced grain, probably more cost than birch.
Given the requirement for lightness I would go with 1/2" birch ply.
kahlid74:
--- Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on February 15, 2012, 08:51:23 am ---MDF: works well but heavy, pervasive sawdust is messy. the best choice of these if you're going to paint the cab.
Lauan: Phillipine mahogany - plywood products vary. if it has a good face veneer (layer of wood) it is light and will be ok. Usually not used for any structural application. poor fastener holding at the edges.
BC fir: if you mean BC plywood, that is not an appearance grade and will have knots. If you mean fir veneer plywood from BC canada in an appearance grade, it could be fine.
Birch ply: good all around cabinet wood
Oak ply: also nice, but with a more pronounced grain, probably more cost than birch.
Given the requirement for lightness I would go with 1/2" birch ply.
--- End quote ---
TopJimmy nailed it on the head but I would add that Oak ply is pretty fantastically light and strong. I don't think the grain would super show but TopJimmy would know more.
Green Giant:
--- Quote from: kahlid74 on February 15, 2012, 10:01:41 am ---
--- Quote from: TopJimmyCooks on February 15, 2012, 08:51:23 am ---MDF: works well but heavy, pervasive sawdust is messy. the best choice of these if you're going to paint the cab.
Lauan: Phillipine mahogany - plywood products vary. if it has a good face veneer (layer of wood) it is light and will be ok. Usually not used for any structural application. poor fastener holding at the edges.
BC fir: if you mean BC plywood, that is not an appearance grade and will have knots. If you mean fir veneer plywood from BC canada in an appearance grade, it could be fine.
Birch ply: good all around cabinet wood
Oak ply: also nice, but with a more pronounced grain, probably more cost than birch.
Given the requirement for lightness I would go with 1/2" birch ply.
--- End quote ---
TopJimmy nailed it on the head but I would add that Oak ply is pretty fantastically light and strong. I don't think the grain would super show but TopJimmy would know more.
--- End quote ---
With enough paint, the wood grain can disappear.
But like he said, ply is best for weight. Get what you can get for cheaper if you plan on hiding the wood grain with either art or paint.
But basically 1/2" ply is the best for weight. It will end up very very light. I was thankful I used 1/2" ply for my photobooth since the 7 sheets of ply I used would be impossible to move as mdf.
cigardude:
I will be hitting the cabinet with a base primer and black spray. But I will be covering the sides and control panel with artwork so you will not see the paint. The paint would only be visible on the top, the back and the inside sides. If I can prime, sand, prime and paint without an issue with birch ply then I will definitely go with that.