Plywood or Poplar for a Table Top

I don’t see any reason wht you can’t use plywood. Go to your local Lowes or Home Depot and go to the section where they sell partial sheets. You definitely want to use 3/4” in my opinion. In my area, they sell 48” x 48” pieces in either birch or oak. Either on will work, but I think the oak grain will look very nice with that black stain on it. (However, the smooth birch will look more like the poplar legs and apron than the oak will.)

I have a 20-year-old daughter, and I’ve had to make her black furniture as well, so don’t feel bad.

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

Thanks Charlie
I’m going to wait to see if I get any more feed back. But I called around and they do sell the 48” x 48” pieces. I think that I’m probably going to go with the birch. Depending on what kind of feedback I get.

By the way I checked out your website Great pics of Calif. coast. and I cant believe you got a clear shot of L.A.

Thanks

-- - " If you want square work, You don't cut corners. " - -- Tom Goodman, Santa Maria, CA. woodworkertom@gmail.com

Hi..Plywood is great for tabletops for a few good reasons.. one being that is more stable than lumber and will not crack due to expansion and contraction.. also..it’s already sized and you don’t have to glue up any stock then try and make it flat.. also there are many different edge moldings you can use to give it a decorative edge and really make it nice..and not break the bank..

-- Randall Child