cost of plywood

Probably not the best quality ply at that price. Likely internal voids all over and super thin oak veneer. Possible delamination down the road too. For real cabinet grade 3/4 ply you will pay somewhere near $100, though it might be possible to get decent grades on sale for $65 if you are lucky. Below that is suspect in my experience. Anyone with a good regular cheap alternative to that, I’d like to hear from. $50 a sheet is what I use to make shop jigs mostly. If I don’t expect to use them for too long, that is. Just stay away from the big boxes and find a cabinet shop to order through.

-- Ooo, er.

Wholesale in my area $65 for a cabinet grade but depending on what your building you might get by with shop grade $45-$50. Stay away for import ply.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

Thanks Skarp,seems every time you buy something it has gone up alot.Looking at this 9 ply (I think) you dont see any voids. I know they can be inside—would you take a chance on it?

-- Bill Merritt -Augusta Ga. woodworker

Jim, any way to know if its import ply?Unless you get it from G.P.—-its hard to tell.

-- Bill Merritt -Augusta Ga. woodworker

Well if you look closely along all of the edges and don’t see any holes at all, it might be sound. Also check to see what the thickness of adhesive used is. Too much can be used to make up for bad layer thickness, or it could be low quality glue. I have found sheets with enough glue between layers that you could scoop it out with your fingernail, which in itself makes you wonder about the glue. Never seen Titebond turn to powder. Anyhow, if all that checks out and you feel the use won’t be crucial to have top quality materials, go for it. The worst that could happen is you have to buy it again. But I don’t like that personally and buy from local cabinet shops and reputable lumber yards. Here is an price list from the place I use a lot. Never had a bad experience with them, which I can’t say for the big box stores.

-- Ooo, er.

I’ve found that the $50 plywood isn’t that great. The surface layer is very thin and has a tendency to flake. If you want something high quality, don’t go with the cheaper stuff (unless the high quality stuff is on sale).

I buy all my plywood at Pekin Hardwood in Pekin Illinios. 3/4 Red Oak MDF A2 = $55.04, 3/4 Red Oak Rotary Cut A2 = $65.54. 3/4 Red Oak Plain Sliced A2 = $75.73. If you buy 25 sheets the price goes down about $3.00 a sheet. If anyone is near Pekin they should stop and see their hardwood room and tool show room.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa