Need non-standard species ply

[John Kananis]

What do you guys do when a customer asks for a species of wood for their cabinets and you can't find panel material to match (they want flat not raised panels)? I'm doing some spalted maple cabinets and need to figure out what to do about panels. I'm entertaining the idea of just re-sawing and using the maple but worried about movement, buckling, etc. with material that "thin" - not to mention that I'm not looking forward to the process of sawing and creating that many panels.

[Dave Roock]

Can you get a similar veneer that you could attach to a 1/4" plywood ?

[Jim Becker]

Veneering is the typical solution...the specific species/variety on the show face and an appropriate backer veneer on the reverse to balance the panel. There are companies that do custom layups for exotic veneers, but that would be uber expensive in many cases as well as where there isn't a need for a lot of material. A vacuum veneer setup can do the work for you in-shop and with the panels already near end-size.

[Jared Sankovich]

Or just build reverse raised panels.

[John Kananis]

I'm not intimidated by it but haven't done shop veneer panels. What size substrate do I start off with so that panels don't wind up too "thick" for the panel grooves?

Also, reversed raised panels are an interesting idea!! do you just go with 1/2" material and dado/groove the perimeter?

[Jared Sankovich]

I'm not intimidated by it but haven't done shop veneer panels. What size substrate do I start off with so that panels don't wind up too "thick" for the panel grooves?

Also, reversed raised panels are an interesting idea!! do you just go with 1/2" material and dado/groove the perimeter?

Basically yes. Reverse raised are just raised panels flipped so the flat face is toward the front. AKA true shaker.

[John Kananis]

fantastic solution...thank you!

[Christian Hawkshaw]

Basically yes. Reverse raised are just raised panels flipped so the flat face is toward the front. AKA true shaker.

I do this quite a bit, and just use a back cutter such as https://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/products/5850

[John Kananis]

I have that particular cutter...any chance of a pic of a completed back panel? I was thinking a straight bit to kind of 'hide' the thickness variation.

[johnny means]

I would contact me and have me make your panels.:D Seriously though, get someone who is equipped and knows what they're doing to do the job. Failures can be expensive and, depending on the material, irreplaceable.

[Kevin Jenness]

Veneering opens up many opportunities but takes some skill and equipment. The easiest way to what you are envisioning with veneer is with a vacuum bag and paper backed sheet veneer. Two layers of paperback over 1/4" ply would probably get you close to 1/4". I almost always rabbet thicker panels for an exact fit and a more substantial feel. If you want to use solid wood you can resaw 4/4 and rabbet to fit your groove. A narrow reveal looks best and hides the machined edge but you have to allow for solid wood movement.

[Christian Hawkshaw]

I have that particular cutter...any chance of a pic of a completed back panel? I was thinking a straight bit to kind of 'hide' the thickness variation.

The below project picture has an example...note, the frame is 7/8 and the panel is 5/8. Should work with 3/4 frame and 1/2 panel.

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?280081-QSWO-Mission-Blanket-Chest&p=2990792#post2990792

[Phillip Mitchell]

I know you just asked about panels, but do you have any exposed end panels on the cabinet boxes that you would need to veneer, etc to match or are you just talking about face frames / doors / drawer fronts?

I’m not set up to veneer with a vacuum bag or anything at this point so I would likely re-saw or plane down 4/4 down to 5/8 or 1/2” and rabbet the back side to fit in the groove and provide expansion for the solid wood panel. What is the width ranges of panels you will need?

[Dave Sabo]

Why not ask your reg. supplier ?

Mine will order in anything I want to wait on and pay for. No minimums either. These are custom laid up sheets by one of the big manuf., I don't remember offhand which one though.

[John Kananis]

Solid panels, raised to the back is what I'm going to go with here - thank you all!

Chris, beautiful piece and exactly what I was looking for.

Philip, I don't leave my cabinet case sides exposed, always paneled - thank you for the info.

[Jamie Buxton]

Custom laid-up plywood is a standard business. They'll put darn near anything on a sheet of plywood for you. I know of two such businesses here in the SF bay area. I'll bet you can find similar outfits in greater New York or Philadelphia.

[John Kananis]

My local suppliers aren't so off-species-friendly and both NY and Philly are a ride. I'm in Northern NJ.

[Bill Dufour]

I have noticed that Hoe Depot sells a lot of hardwood? plywood made in South America and China that has no species name. Good luck finding more of the same next time since you have no idea what kind of wood it was made from. The description will be 5 ply, 15/16, sanded plywood.
Bill D

[John Kananis]

Well, HD ply is pretty garbage so I would only use that for jigs.