DON'T USE 3/4' PLYWOOD If You Don't Need It...TRY THIS! (1/2' Plywood Vs. 3/4' Plywood--When to Use)

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DON'T USE 3/4" PLYWOOD If You Don't Need It...TRY THIS! (1/2" Plywood Vs. 3/4" Plywood--When to Use)

Many new woodworkers and DIYers rush to use 3/4" plywood for any small project. But, in many cases, 3/4" plywood is overkill! This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you a better alternative for many DIY projects--1/2" plywood!

1/2" plywood comes in nearly every variety that 3/4" plywood does. It's extremely strong and stable.

Many people seem to avoid 1/2" plywood on the assumption that it's weak. But, it has many of the same properties as 3/4" plywood.

(3/4" is a much more common measurement for wood in general--this may be one of the reasons that people assume that they need to purchase 3/4" plywood.)

BENEFITS OF 1/2" PLYWOOD:
--It's lighter (by almost 20 lbs. per sheet)
--It's cheaper (by $10-12 on overage per sheet)
--It's easier on tools
--It produces less sawdust
--It is easier to handle and manipulate
--It has an edge just wide enough to be hit with brads and trim nails

SITUATIONS WHERE 3/4" PLYWOOD IS PREFERRED:
--Anything that will be walked on
--Anything that will be hit hard with tools
--Anything that will be roughly handled.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH 1/2" PLYWOOD:
--Try not to span it more than 24" unsupported in any direction
--Get support directly beneath the edges
--Use glue when bonding pieces
--Use face frames for additional support on trim projects

Thanks for watching! Be sure to check us out at The Honest Carpenter Website:

[TheHonestCarpenter]

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[mattrondeau]

Glad I watched this video. I got approved for a loan to buy a sheet of 1/2", but not 3/4".

[robertlis]

Im almost 64 and been doing woodworking for over 50 years and 1/2" plywood is very strong so I agree with you I did all of my kitchen cabinet so anyone watching this the man is right try it and then make up your mind but trust me hes right

[louislandi]

You belong to the elite group of
instructors that make every word count and do not ramble on aimlessly. I learn from all of
your videos. Many thanks!

[janfrisch]

Fantastic. My husband and I have just about every power/hand tool known to man (or woman). My husband actually knows how to use all of these tools and is a great teacher on how to best utilize them. Also very safety conscious! I love using 1/2" plywood and he has been a 3/4" fan. (Just stronger! GRRR) I appreciate the support and info from your wonderful channel. He may even admit that 1/2" could actually be an alternative to some of his bulky wood projects. When I need to create a shelf, etc., I always go with 1/2" (supports, too). It is much more fun to handle and, having a Sawstop table saw now I feel so much more confident in ripping, etc. ☮

[bertiepimplebum]

Intelligent mixing of the two. 3/4" and 1/2" plywood.

[johnbauer]

I have been using 1/2 inch ply for years, I also use 2 x 3's instead of 2 x 4's, and yes I did because of cost, lighter, and in most cases it's easier to work with, thanks for info, you do nice work, I look forward to your videos, I learn something new every time...

[udayvadula]

Glad to see this explanation. 1/2" ply has been strong enough for me for nightstands and even a bar cabinet holding heavy bottles. One lesson though is that you need to be a little more careful with pocket hole jigs as 1/2" settings arent quite right and you can pop out the side if you drill all the way to the stop - an issue you dont have with 3/4"

[jenwendling]

Thanks for this explanation. I was cringing at the cost of building custom cabinets with 3/4”, so knowing that 1/2” will work will actually save thousands of dollars on my projects.

[strongisland]

I love this because when someone asks me why I went with 1/2” instead of 3/4” I can now give them a slew of reasons why. Instead of just saying it’s cheaper and lighter 😁

[cndjonno]

For the non-us viewers: 3/4 inch plywood typically weighs 25 kg and 1/2 inch plywood weighs 15.9 kg. Great video!

[davidcrawford]

I use 1/2" plywood. I learn that Iif I use the proper amount of "support " I maintained the same structural strength. The majority of custom cabinet makers in my area use 1/2 for the carcass. Good video

[mrwoods]

You YouTube pros are a godsend for the diy selfer I just built my first kitchen counter and cupboards for my mom and she loves it. Keep up the good work.

[thistledownwoodcraft]

Thank thank you thank you. I have been saying this for a couple of decades. I have been told I am too cheap because of this, but build to the need has always been my mantra.

[anneoreilly]

As a relatively new woodworker, I struggle with designing my own projects because I didn’t know when to use what lumber. Thx Ethan.

[HoosierRallyMaster]

I just did all new cabinets in my kitchen. I experimented with half-inch, but I just could not get consistent results from the pocket screws. My local dealer carries 5/8 baltic birch and that worked out superbly. I was committed to pocket screws because we downsized a few years ago and we don't have space for a table saw (my son inherited my woodshop machines when we moved)

[chipsterb]

I like your optimism. It’s 2023 and those plywood prices look GREAT now…

[David-hmic]

In my home woodworking shop I've gone completely to 1/2" ply unless I absolutely have to use 3/4". I mostly use Baltic birch 1/2" ply for shop furniture and small to medium projects. It comes in 5'x5' sheets and costs about the same per square foot as regular birch ply but it's birch all the way through and the surface veneers are the same thickness as the internal layers and there is almost never a void in it. Standard hardwood veneered plywoods have paper thin outer veneers that can be sanded through easily. I built a drill press stand with 4 drawers from 1/2" Baltic birch except for the top of the stand which was 3/4" because the "benchhtop" drill press weighs about 120 pounds. It's plenty strong in well designed pieces.

[drewmagnus]

My wife was always telling me 1/2” would make a big difference, now I finally understand what she was talking about.

[tonyhammer]

Excellent show sir. Thanks for posting it. When I was young just out of High school I made sure to get schooling in all the trades. I went for plumbing, heating A/C, electrical and even welding. I held licenses in all of them. My father was a carpenter/roofer so I already was trained in that by him. I have never needed to call anyone in my 35+ years of homeownership. I take pride in that. I am also a classic car collector. See where the welding helps...hahaha. Anyway, looking forward to your videos.