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Base cabinets or firewood?

Blog entry by pastor_shane posted 104 days ago 176 reads 0 times favorited 8 comments Add to Favorites

A couple of weeks ago, I started building 4 base cabinets for the workshop. Because these were “utility” cabinets and not kitchen cabinets, I decided to buy inexpensive (read cheap) “cabinet grade” 3/4” 18mm plywood from our local DIY box store. After I had ripped everything to size, the 3/4” plywood begin to warp and curl like a can of Pringles. Every part I cut with the excpetion of one, was warped, bent, curled, and one entire 6” x 24” x 3/4” piece came completely delaminated after I ripped it to size!)

Only after I experienced this, did I jump on here and investigate the quality issues other have experienced. Now I know there are other blogs on LJ about cheap china ply, but I just have to vent somewhere!

Anyone want a shop full of “cabinet grade” ply for free?

-- Shane, Askov, Minnesota

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pastor_shane

24 posts in 211 days


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8 comments so far

View grovemadman's profile

grovemadman

528 posts in 160 days


posted 104 days ago

Shane, this will sound crazy but try craiglist under services/materials. A lot of times contractors tear out old cabinets to install new ones. With a little TLC you can usually make some old ones fit in your space and refinish them to your liking. Often there will be some screw ups/or change order that a contractor suddenly can’t use and wants to sell for cheap and they are brand new. As far as cheap plywood goes what happened to you could be a number of reasons. I know one thing for sure is, it’s Gods will and our handiwork which determines how a project will turn out – we just have to learn or be reminded of acceptance and move on to the next project he has waiting for us!
Peace and thy will be done…

-- --Chuck

View Peter O's profile

Peter O

624 posts in 263 days


posted 104 days ago

Shane – if they are just for the shop, you might try to force the pieces flat and assemble the cases with plenty of screws. You might be surprised how close to square they are when you’re done.

-- What exactly is "The Move" and who are you calling a "Quirky Jerk"? -- http://www.north40custom.com

View Tom Adamski's profile

Tom Adamski

175 posts in 159 days


posted 104 days ago

Shane…

I bought 6 sheets of 1/2 ply from HD last year and half did the same thing… I took them back. And yes, they gave me all my money back even after cutting up 3 into panels. Remember, the squeeky wheel gets the grease.

Tom

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

View Paul M's profile

Paul M

28 posts in 108 days


posted 104 days ago

Shane- I have used a fair amount of this stuff for general use and gree with Peter O. The mystery to me is how a multi-ply can warp and curl more than a solid board. Another mystery is how a panel made in China, put in a container, shipped to the west coat, then shipped to the east coast can sell for under $30??

Sounds like “dumping” to me.

Do have a general rule for “Specials” is that the farther it comes from the worse it is.
Canada= pretty good
Brazil= fair
China=junk

-- Paul from New England "No man is a failure who is enjoying life". William Feather

View Dick Cain's profile

Dick Cain

4290 posts in 687 days


posted 103 days ago

I sounds to me like it got wet on its ocean trip.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View brunob's profile

brunob

1115 posts in 557 days


posted 103 days ago

I think the operative words here are “real cheap”. As useual, we get what we pay for. ut, I still try for the bargin!

-- Bruce from Central New York

View pastor_shane's profile

pastor_shane

24 posts in 211 days


posted 103 days ago

Thanks for the advice Peter! about half a bottle of glue and a couple handful of scews is all it took to square up the carcasses. I’ll post some pictures as soon as I get the casters mounted.

-- Shane, Askov, Minnesota

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

6455 posts in 263 days


posted 102 days ago

I am glad you were able to salvage the project. Good heads-up on the cheap plywood, too, as I am going to build some cabinet/shelves later this spring.

-- Maplewood, MN

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