Solid pine or plywood frames?

I think plywood would work very well for this one. I find that maple compliments and matches baltic birch beautifully for face frames.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I would use ply too. I think it would work out just fine.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

I would use solid pine for the top.

Are you staining it ?

If your friend is paying the bill, I would ask your friend.

Hi, Randy.

Personally, I wouldn’t do it. The pine is going to be lighter and easier to work. Edging the plywood is going to be a fair amount of extra labor. And if any mating surfaces don’t line up just right, or any nicks happen, you can’t do much sanding on plywood.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I’m siding with Charlie on this one. Pine is cheap enough to go solid wood. Decent Ply would probably cost more anyway.

Thank you all. Charlie and Dan have convinced me of what my heart was telling me – do it first rate and you won’t regret it. I believe plywood would do as good a job and might save a few pennies, but there is a certain personal pride that comes with using solid wood throughout.

-- Randy, Tupelo, MS ~ A man who honors his wife will have children who honor their father.

Pine has gotten a bad rap because people think if you’re going to use boards, go with oak, maple etc. and because pine is cheaper, you might as well use a veneered plywood and make it “look” like oak or birch.
Poppycock!
Pine is beautiful if loving care is taken when building it, as well as finishing it. Would your friend consider Knotty pine, and would it work for his/her decorating scheme?
Clear or knotty can turn out to be a beautiful piece, being joint glued panels and all. Plywood is plywood and always has that manufactured look. A good eye can always tell.

Just my opinion.