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]

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. 

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]

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.  

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.

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.

[Green Giant]

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.

Knowing your paint scheme, get the cheapest ply.

[drventure]

And pick up some of that spray putty/primer. That stuff is great for hiding grain.

[yaksplat]

If you use birch ply then you will see no grain after primer and paint.  Mine had maple on one side and birch on the other.  The maple grain definately shows through where as the birch does not.  If your ply is like this, just be careful you don't cut a piece wrong and have the maple pointing out.