Don't Buy FULL PLYWOOD SHEETS If You Don't Need Them! TRY THIS...(Pre-Cut Plywood)

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Don't Buy FULLY PLYWOOD SHEETS If You Don't Need Them! TRY THIS...(Pre-Cut Plywood)

Plywood sheets are very hard for most DIYers to transport. But, you don't necessarily have to buy full-sized sheets. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you an easy, affordable option!

Full-sized plywood sheets are 4'X8'...that won't fit in many standard cars!

Places like Lowes and Home Depot, and even some smaller lumberyards, will cut sheets down for you. But it's time-consuming, and they sometimes make ragged, messy cuts.

If you only need smaller amounts of lumber, consider buying PRE-CUT PLYWOOD PANELS.

These smaller pieces of plywood can be found in the lumber or building materials area. They frequently come in 4'x4' sizes, or 2'x4'.

These pieces are typically cut down to size at the mill before they are delivered to the store. So, the edge quality tends to be better than things cut down in the store.

Also, they are priced relative to size, so you don't have to pay much more for pre-cut plywood panels.

These half-sheets and quarter-sheets are very convenient because you can just grab them and go!

Thanks for watching! Be sure to check out our other videos:
REMOVE PAINT-FILLED SCREWS:
ADJUSTABLE LUMBER RACK:
DIY BUILT-IN CLOSET SHELVES:

Also, be sure to visit us at The Honest Carpenter Website:

[SteveRamsey]

This is great advice. I always dread having to deal with a full sheet of 3/4" plywood. Whenever I can, I always buy these smaller panels. Plus, I won't have a huge sheet of plywood takking up space in my shop if I can't get to it for a couple days.

[kzone]

"Tiny markup" isn't even close to accurate at the Home Depot near me. Closer to 3x per square foot.

[leroymichaelson]

Actually, those project panels are almost twice the cost per square foot as a full sheet. I often have Home Depot cut a full sheet into quarters for me, then do the final trimming on my table saw

[heystarfish]

With the commonality of the cordless circular saw parking lot carpentry is another option. 👍😎👍

[bplup]

"There is usually a markup but its not too much."

It is quite significant now at Lowes and Depot.

[VJ-ftxj]

I cut in the parking lot all the time with my cordless circular and a drywall square as a guide

[stevekiss]

Thanks. Home run. I've used both pre-cut panels and had the store custom cut full sheets of 3/4" material length wise to make them easier for me to handle alone. Both of these solutions have been a huge help.

[DetailEnthusiast]

I'm gonna take my table saw to HD and start charging to cut people's ply

[jaireidca]

Minivans are great! Caravan, Odyssey and Sienna all take a 4x8 sheet in the back.

[garykorzelius]

I have used quarter sheets for a few projects like backs for the signs I made for our community here in DE. The 24x48 size was perfect for what I was doing and worked really well. It was easy to carry them as you said, and because I have a small workshop to work in it saves me from having to figure out how to maneuver the sheets to cut. Thanks

[patrickdunn]

I discovered this a while back, and the edges are much better like you said. I’m old, and don’t like handling full sheets anymore lol. Great info going out to all!

[dontrump]

Another great video, straight and to the point. 

The old fella cut into it about an 8/th of an inch in and then adjusted his saw...I was pizzed. I didn’t say anything ‘cause I knew what I was going to use and it wasn’t a big deal. He did say he might be off up to an 8th...lol..

I often now buy the precut and will pay closer attention to the prices, that said I don't own a truck etc to do much of anything else so I am at the mercy of the smaller pieces. ...I wont let that guy cut maple or birch ....lol

Cheers Again from Arizona

[glenndorfman]

Excellent video. I am an older person and it is much easier to manage 2x4’, and 4x4’ sheets than a 4x8. Most of the big Box Stores will cut a full sheet 1 cut for free. That allows for the much more manageable 2x8 sheet also. That is about all I can manage anymore. Keep up the excellent educational videos.

[jinyoon]

I used to buy the precut sheets at the big box stores. More recently, started working with baltic birch, which usually comes in 5x5 sheets. My local lumberyard cuts em in half for free (or slightly offset). This makes then the prefect size to not only fit in a compact suv with the seats down, but also manageable for rips on my job site table saw.

[uneartheros]

I LOVE plywood!!! It’s my favorite material right now as a beginner. It’s cheap and you can get a lot out of a full sheet. It’s perfect for shop furniture!!

[Kris]

Pre cut plywood is handy if you don’t need more than 1/2 of the sheet. But price per square foot is usually almost 2x that of a full sheet.
My local big box stores stock 2x2, 2x4 and 4x4 pieces.
Both of main brands also cut wood material with 1st cut free and following cuts at $.50 each.
If you got larger mini van or full size pickup truck full sheet will fit flat on the back (6’5” bed plus tailgate stretch to 8ft most of the time) If you got mid size truck 4ft will still fit between the sides but not between the wheel wells. So put it in on angle (with tailgate up). Don’t forget to get some ratcheting 1in straps to make the load solid (I got 4 pack of those for $8 from favorite cheep tool store).
Smaller vehicle get a cordless circular saw.

[austinstubblefield]

Good idea in a pinch, but you pay a premium for the smaller pieces. I found you’re better off grabbing a full sheet and using a cordless saw to cut it down out in the parking lot. Great video as always!

[elmouhandiss]

I have accidentally bumped into some precut plywood at Home Depot during my last visit down there and it made my day. It's exactly as you said. They are not near the full size plywoods. This is an amazing advice that can save people so much money and avoid damaging their vehicle when trying to fit a full size plywood in it. Thanks

[wynnkin]

Timing is everything. Just had a neighbor take me to HD in his truck to get a full sheet. Still have over half of it taking up space in the garage.
"Next time gadget, next time." Good video ethan. 8●)

[andygalkin]

In my store 2x4 cost more than a half of 4x8, although its 1/4 of an area