Plywood or solid

[Mitchell Ristine]

This is a partial wall from a RV. It's MDF covered in plastic. I've been commissioned to make a new one.
453554

It's about 4.5 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide (at the widest point). 0.5 inch thick.

Question: glue up using solid red oak, or edge banded RO plywood?

[Matthew Curtis]

I vote ply because I have it on hand.

[Jim Matthews]

Would wood might be cheaper.

(Which I never imagined would be true.)

[ChrisA Edwards]

I think plywood would be easier to do, plus more stable from warping.

[George Yetka]

Plywood, An rv will change elevations and moisture levels often if its used. I figure it will be finished but ply will be more stable

[Mitchell Ristine]

Plywood, An rv will change elevations and moisture levels often if its used. I figure it will be finished but ply will be more stable

That's what my gut says too. I've never edge banded anything before. Is it difficult?

[Jim Becker]

Plywood because of the environmental stresses that come with RVs that have greater temperature and moisture swings that in most homes.

[ChrisA Edwards]

I solid edge band with 1/4" to 3/4" solid wood a lot.

You can also buy edge band tape that you can just iron on, heat activates the glue.

If I'm adding a 1/4" edge band to 1/2" ply, I will cut strips 1/4" x 5/8".The faces on the 1/4" opposing sides will be planed. Make sure you've got a good clean cut on the ply. Spread glue on the strip as well as the plywood edge and clamp the edge on. You can use small brads to help align the strip and help it clamp. When the glue is dry, I usually use a flush trim router bit to remove the excess of the strip and sand to finish.

Lots of YouTube videos with different methods.

[Dwayne Watt]

Plywood (as thin as practical for the application!!) Weight matters in an RV.
Edge banding ply is one of the easier woodworking things to be tackled in the shop. It can be as simple as iron-on veneer or thin hardwood to cover the exposed edges.

[Aaron Liebling]

Agreed...have no fear of edge banding. I've used the iron on stuff and it works great. Apply it a bit wide and then trim both sides with a razor (or flush trim router)

[Mitchell Ristine]

Thanks everyone. Plywood it is.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

My only complaint with edge banding is that it is thing and does not take abuse as well as wood. That said, difficult to beat the plywood if it is good quality plywood!