Comments on: how do you make plywood like like a hardwood?

By: Rottie Mom

Rottie Mom — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:02:59 +0000

You can buy "cabinet-grade plywood" but it isn't available everywhere. It has one hardwood face on it, it's 5-ply, and 3/4" thick.
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By: Johnny

Johnny — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:17:59 +0000

you could carefully 45 all the edges. For example if you were making a box and all edges were 45 deg. There would be no edges showing. If your building a bookshelf the principle would be the same. You might try to cut a "V" grove in the end then cut a matching piece on the face of the ply.
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By: T.J.

T.J. — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:51:59 +0000

You can purchase furniture quality plywood made from hardwood at a lumber yard. I do not know of anyway to make cheap rough finish pine plywood look like hardwood, except to cover it with a hardwood veneer.
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By: Don

Don — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:24:59 +0000

I don't know. Cover it with shelf wrapping paper with a woodgrain print to it? Short of veneer, nothing is going to make plywood look like high-quality wood. If this could be done, nobody would ever need high-quality wood again. It's a great idea, though. I'd look into self-stick veneer if I really wanted to pursue this.
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By: Lawn Gnome

Lawn Gnome — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:19:59 +0000

stain and paint. Veneer is the only way I know to make it look like hardwood.
In maritime applications some use that clear stuff on it, then a do over coat that is mixed with stain.
Many companies make a finer grade plywood/composite board.
References :
http://www.columbiaforestproducts.com/products/prodcert.aspx
http://www.highlandhardwoods.com/links.html
http://www.leeswoodprojects.com/plans.html
http://www.silkroadflooring.com/home.htm