For my jointer, The original baltic birch plywood top? Or Maple butcher block?

Are these professionals aware of the metal plate on
top? Have they built machinery?

My opinion is the birch ply will be more stable in
relation to the steel. A glued-up solid wood
board will move in width under the steel more than
the baltic birch will.

Agreed with Loren…

I’ve always found baltic birch to be really stable. Could consider MDF as well. It’s got solid mass (not quite cast iron), very stable over temp, and flat! Sheet metal top will only be as flat as the subsurface.

Cool project!

-- Jason

By the way, where did you get the plan? Those are pretty good size jointer tables.

-- Jason

I’m with Loren also…plywood is much more stable than solid.

Alright Thanks everyone! Baltic birch ply it is!

WoodWorkWarrior, I believe his plan is from Matthias Wandel, who has made several machines like this. I would think the baltic birch would make a good top in terms of stability.

The only advantage the maple would have is resistance to wear, which is probably what the professional is thinking. But the material’s wear really doesn’t matter with the sheet metal.

-- Tristin King -- When in doubt, sand it.

who are those said professionals? professionals at making tables? or machinery?

maple butcher block top will move on you no matter what, BB plywood hardly will. for this application I’d go with BB ply without thinking twice.

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