Why Hide Plywood Edges? Let The Honest Beauty of The Material Be Expressed

[kieronbaker]

I am so glad I came across this video, I am a beginner woodworker and have started making a desk. I chose plywood after reading up about the material and the edge of the plywood was an attractive feature for me but I have been worried as every other woodworker on YouTube seems to despise the edges! I feel much more confident with bevelling the edges as per my original plan now.

[lvwrx]

FLW designed furniture exposing the edges, they look awesome

[csfr]

Great video.. I'm planning on making a kitchen from formica faced baltic birch ply but don't know how to finish off the edges. I want to varnish them to show off the layers but don't know what to use and how to stop getting it on the face. Any advice?

[WoodworkJoe-qrxh]

Why use paint when the colour expresses what the material is? Why sand when the rough surface expresses what the material is? Why use glue when the original shape of the material expresses what the material is? Why use nails or screws when the hole-less form expresses what the material is?

[calyodelphi]

I'm quite happy to have found this video! I have plans to build a whole bedroom's worth of furniture for myself out of plywood, and to have bare plywood edges as a design statement. I can't find any videos on youtube that address how to properly finish an exposed plywood edge--they all want to cover it up! And it's just as hard to find any articles or forum threads by traditional search.

[AndyMorrisArt]

Great video Jeremy! I'm still trying to find out best way to stain and varnish it. Will any stain work?

[brianoneill]

Thanks a million. Nice to hear fro. You Jeremy

[njs]

I think here in the states I first saw exposed plywood edges at Chipotle restaurants as they are furnished in a industrial way and i think it’s grown to be more accepted over the years. Though wood shop teachers may see it as laziness!

[jessicat]

I love plywood edges when there are a lot of layers and no voids. It depends on the quality you can get. My guess is you would hate the stuff available to me!

[polarisflyer]

Wonderful video! Thank you for validating a thought that I had about showing off the edges of a Baltic Birch Plywood TV console that I am considering...

[MMWoodworking]

Amen. Plywood gets such a bad rap because 99% of people don't realize it is used in so many of their favorite pieces of furniture, cabinets, desks, etc etc. They are often shocked when you tell them. Most people are also shocked when you tell that that things that are large and are solid wood are actually boards jointed together. They seem to think that people are using massive slabs for a desk that only costs a couple hundred dollars. Learning the secrets of woodworking has been such a fun journey since I started a little less than 2yrs ago. I am a firm believer in plywood, but I also understand why some customers do not like the look.

[joeobrien]

To edge or not to edge that is the question? It depends on the client. If it is for yourself and you don’t mind the look of it then leave it. If it is for someone else then it is their preference. I know a maker who charges extra for lipping as he says it is an unnecessary extra process. No mater what you do someone will not be happy.

[SuperWingman]

Jeremy,
I love the exposed edge of Baltic Birch plywood. Can you tell me, what is the best way to stain this material?