3/4" Maple plywood for $30

[Ron]

Just got back from HD (Pittsburgh Area) where I picked up a sheet of 3/4" Maple plywood for $30. Both sides were sanded nicely and look great, clean edges also.

I believe it has Birch in the center.

They've had 3/4 Red Oak & Birch for a while ($40), but, this is the first time I saw the maple there.

Ron

[Mark]

Would this be birch one side maple the other?

I went to Streetsboro (Ohio) HD and got two sheets Thursday.

Be very careful, the surfaces are paper thin.

[Larry C in Auburn, WA]

Why would you use Maple plywood if you are covering it with Formica?

[WD]

You are correct. Both outside layers are paper thin. Further, I believe it is a mixture of Birch with Maple. Nicely sanded and look great with slight imperfections on one side.

I bought a few sheets and now having trouble keeping the layers (Formica+3/4"+3/4"+Formica) flat.

[WD]

I'm making a TS and Router extension table for my Crapsman.

[Larry C in Auburn, WA]

Well, that's why you're using plywood, but it still doesn't answer why you're using the more expensive Maple-covered plywood. I was just curious in case I missed something. BTW, MDF might solve your flatness problem.

[Larry Blanchard]

Because the surface is smoother?

[Mark]

Really, the wood isn't that bad. I think the problem may be he wants it

*perfectly* flat.

Question: Could laminate cause a sheet of plywood to twist?

[WD]

MDF will chips or worn where the router plate's adjustment screws sit.

I have used two 4'X8' plywoods. The first two set (3/4"X27"X41") bow in the center and cut another two set and STILL bows! So, I ended up using the first two (bow) set. Sanded it down (That when I discovered, the outer layers are paper thin). I still did not get 100% flatness, but I guess it will do for now until I cut the hole to fit the router's plate in a few more days (WIP).

In the end I spend more and have more headaches!

[Ron]

My sheet appears to have 5 layers. The outer two are about 1/8" thick each, with the middle three a bit thicker.