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Thread: Plywood or solid

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
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    Blaine, MN
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    Plywood or solid

    This is a partial wall from a RV. It's MDF covered in plastic. I've been commissioned to make a new one.
    20210303_114224.jpg

    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?

  2. #2
    I vote ply because I have it on hand.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
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    South Coastal Massachusetts
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    Would wood might be cheaper.

    (Which I never imagined would be true.)

  4. #4
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    Jul 2016
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    Lebanon, TN
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    I think plywood would be easier to do, plus more stable from warping.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Millstone, NJ
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    1,590
    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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Blaine, MN
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    123
    Quote Originally Posted by George Yetka View Post
    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?

  7. #7
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    Mar 2003
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    SE PA - Central Bucks County
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    Plywood because of the environmental stresses that come with RVs that have greater temperature and moisture swings that in most homes.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Lebanon, TN
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    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.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Northeastern OK
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    301
    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Oakland, CA
    Posts
    253
    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)

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Blaine, MN
    Posts
    123
    Thanks everyone. Plywood it is.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
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    3,441
    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!

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