Raised Panel out of plywood?

[Bruce Page]

I’m making two raised panels from birds-eye maple. The panel sides are angled at 15° and the top of the panel has a 26.5” radius. Rather than taking the chance of screwing up the expensive birds-eye, I plan on making a test fit panel out of 7 ply Baltic birch. Here’s the question – will the raised panel bit give me a clean cut on the ply or will I end up with a splintered mess?

Thanks


The lion and the calf shall lie down together but the calf won't get much sleep. -- Woody Allen

[Phil Phelps]

Seven ply may take a profile ok. I've used plywood on some wierd projects at the shop. Had to "butter" the edge with spackle to fill it. Ain't but one way to find out.

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

I agree.......7 ply is pretty tight Plywood, and if the cutter is sharp, and you take little bites at a time, it should do OK. I have never tried it, but like Phil says, only one way to find out. Whatever the outcome, you will have learned something! ;)
Let 'er RIP! :D
Let us know how it turns out...........kind of peaks my interest.

[Mike Tubbs]

Bruce,

If you are looking for an inexpensive "test wood" MDF will machine very clean. Plywood is likely to splinter very bad. Besides MDF is a lot cheaper than Baltic birch

[Ron Meadows]

I'd also recommend MDF. Cheap and it machines very well. Much cheaper than baltic birch too.

Ron

[Bruce Page]

Thanks Guys

I would have preferred using MDF but both the local big boxes only sell it in full sheets and I didn’t want to deal with that. I’m building Woodsmith’s “Heirloom Cradle” and the end panels are raised on both sides, so between that, the 15° stiles and the arched top rail, I felt that a template would be a good idea. The ply panel turned out good with a little fine-tuning, so now I’ll just clone it with the birds-eye.;)


Bruce


Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties. -- Doug Larson

[Hal Flynt]

I find MDF in 1 foot widths in the shelving section of HD. I buy this for all those projects that don't need the width.