Beginner Plywood Project Woodworking Mistakes

Plywood is a great material to work with! It's dimensionally stable and saves a ton of time, but it does have a few quirks and there are a few tips you'll want to follow to avoid these easy mistakes.

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[the-jmz]

Great tip regarding thickness and CAD. I needed to hear that. Thanks!

[therelaxingwoodshop]

Always struggle with these types of board. Thank you for your knowledge

[woodpeckercraftsandbuilds]

Great tips as always. Some things might seem so simple but change everything. Like knowing the rotation of each blade to avoid tear out. Mind blown!

[johnhiemstra]

Thank you for those tips. I like how you edge band. Simple and effective.

[MCsCreations]

Fantastic tips and info, Caleb! Thanks! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[christofix]

Well explained video, Caleb! Thanks for all the great tips! Greetings, Christophe

[morrisbenfield]

I would like your views on Luan Plywood.
I'm a Laser Crafter and build 3d shadow boxes. I'm interested in your pick of the best to use.
Thanks for your time

[GraemePayneMarine]

I agree that measuring the stock thickness (and other dimensions) is much better than "assuming". I always have a tape measure in my EDC bag, and sometimes an old dial caliper as well. Even at my local hardwood dealer, "Trust, but verify."

[mrcryptozoic]

I've found, to cut plywood on a table saw, set the blade at between 1/16" and 1/8" and run the board(s) through, then raise the blade to the normal height and cut again. You'll get no shattering or tear-out.

Breaking down sheets - have the store break them down oversize. Think of the advantages - easier to carry, easier to transport and the work is all on them.

[mikegrier]

Great tips. I’ve noticed the thickness issue, sort of. The local big box store will even indicate the thickness as 23/32” sometimes instead of 3/4”. I never though to double check that, though. I will now! As far as cutting, I have found that using a 100 tooth blade in my circular saw (no table saw or track saw yet) and making a very shallow “veneer cut” to break the surface of the plywood followed with a full depth cut gives me good results in terms of minimizing tear out. I caution that the 100 tooth blade makes a ton of noise and super fine dust, so wearing ear protection and a dust mask are critical. I think maybe 60 or 80 teeth would be fine if I used the “veneer cut” method.

[faheemsiddiquie]

Hi Caleb. Great info. Do you mind making a video on preparation of a balance board and the info on ply appropriate for the said purpose. thanks :)

[mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[dprojects.woodworking]

+1, I use plywood only for shelves, usually starting from 4 mm of thickness, plywood is hard to drill through with clean outside, for furniture making I use 18 mm chipboard, cheap, always flat ;-)

[Binarytales]

The tolerances on thickness allow manufactures to make 18mm ply - a fairly standard international size - and sell it in the USA market with a inch based label that USA peeps will be familiar with.

[daveparker]

You hope I learned something? How about just about everything you said? Just starting out so it was very helpful.