Wood choice advice

[s_busby_uk]

This is NOT arcade related, but it was building the arcade cabinet that got me to this point!

So, I want to build a DJ table for my living room and I want to base it on this design:

http://dualsf.com/products_djc02.html#

Could someone offer some advice on my most desirable wood/finishing options, bearing in mind I don't want to spend a thousand pounds but I would like the finished product to be easy on the eye? Maybe something more standard for the actual frame/support, but something nice for the top? I'm guessing ebony zebrawood is a bit tricky to come by on the cheap...

[kahlid74]

It really depends on how you plan to finish it.  Those pictures look a heck of a lot like Laminate, which can be applied to pretty much any type of wood.  For something like that sanded ply would work wonderfully as long as you were okay with either painting or using a vinyl/laminate covering.  If you want more versatile MDO can be fantastic but will typically run you at 3-4 times more than sanded ply.

I would probably roll sanded ply and laminate for something like that.

[s_busby_uk]

I'm a bit anxious about using laminate - was hoping I could just stick with painted/varnished wood. Something not too fancy for the structure and then something nicer and waterproof/boozeproof on top?

[Le Chuck]

How portable do you want it?  Do you mind it weighing a ton?  If you had throught about painting it a solid color at all then I'd go MDF, but it'll weigh a ton.  3/4" birch ply is probably your best bet if you want to stain, just watch how you do your joinery so it doesn't look all hobbled together when you're done. 

[s_busby_uk]

I'd like to have the option of dismantling it some in case I move house/flat. But short of that it doesn't need to be "portable" in the sense that I take it to gigs or whatever.

Birch plywood looks like it could make for a nice finish though if done right! Is it lighter than MDF then?

[horizon]

I think lighter is relative here.  3/4" MDF vs Plywood is about the same, IMO when it comes to moving it in any capacity.  Even if birch were 10 pounds lighter per sheet, the difference between a 80 and 120 pound object is minimal at that point.

I have sanded pine for a project I did at home.  I am at work and don't have access to the pictures, but I would be happy to dig some up to give you an idea of what it will look like pre-stain.

[Le Chuck]

Birch plywood is about 72 pounds per sheet (3/4" x 48" x 96") and the MDF is 96 pounds per sheet (3/4" x 49" x 97"). 

For every two sheets you gain 50lbs.  It adds up in a hurry.  Ply is also more water resistant and more impact resistant than MDF but MDF has several wonderful qualities when it comes to ease of finish and shaping. 

[s_busby_uk]

Am I going to need to invest in a serious sander to work a nice finish on birch plywood edges?

[Le Chuck]

Meh, not really but if you want a simple solution get some edge banding.

[s_busby_uk]

Gotcha. Thanks for the help guys!