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coloradotrout

24/10/2009 1:14 PM

sheet storage - flat vs on-edge

To minimize warp, laying plywood flat has to be the best. But the
cons are 4' x 8' of floorspace and more difficult to sort through 10
sheets. How much is any warp associated with an on-edge storage
system really going to effect the finished project?


This topic has 19 replies

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

25/10/2009 5:55 AM

coloradotrout <[email protected]> wrote in news:d92ecb82-03c7-432f-
[email protected]:

> To minimize warp, laying plywood flat has to be the best. But the
> cons are 4' x 8' of floorspace and more difficult to sort through 10
> sheets. How much is any warp associated with an on-edge storage
> system really going to effect the finished project?

If your plywood is supported by a frame, you don't need to worry as much
about warp. A table, for example, may have a 1x4 apron that supports 3/4"
plywood. Screws keep the plywood firmly secured to the 1x4s.

Puckdropper
--
"The potential difference between the top and bottom of a tree is the
reason why all trees have to be grounded..." -- Bored Borg on
rec.woodworking

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

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Andy Dingley

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

25/10/2009 3:18 AM

On 24 Oct, 20:37, whit3rd <[email protected]> wrote:

> =A0A few days storage on edge doesn't hurt.

Unless there's any moisture. Overnight will do it, if your storage is
damp (or outdoors)

Rr

RicodJour

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

30/10/2009 3:29 PM

On Oct 30, 5:26=A0pm, coloradotrout <[email protected]> wrote:
> Art,
>
> That's pretty much what I'm planning also. =A0I will keep the mid
> section of the A-frame open for some storage pretty much as shown.

Hey. You started a thread about a roof leak problem on your home over
on alt.home.repair, then when people were discussing your situation,
you disappeared. What's up with that? You seemed to lose interest
when you got an answer that was basically, "put a little roof snot on
it and don't worry about it". From your description I'm thinking you
might have a bigger issue than a single nail poking through a
shingle. Are you interested in a real diagnosis or just asking idle
questions? If it's the former, you should post some more detailed
pictures.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but you abandoned the other one and I
figured this would get your attention.

R

TC

Tyler Cook

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

03/12/2009 12:13 PM

On Oct 24, 3:14=A0pm, coloradotrout <[email protected]> wrote:
> To minimize warp, laying plywood flat has to be the best. =A0 But the
> cons are 4' x 8' of floorspace and more difficult to sort through 10
> sheets. =A0 How much is any warp associated with an on-edge storage
> system really going to effect the finished project?

If you are looking to store a number of sheets vertically or
horizontally there are steel racks made for it. http://www.edwardsstorage.=
com

cc

coloradotrout

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

25/10/2009 10:01 PM

So generally speaking I need to stop my tendancy to hoard good-buys on
plywood ;-)

Maybe a compromise would be to incorporate 3 bandclamps with my
slightly out of vertical storage rack plans.

I only have 8' ceilings, and like another posted noted, flat storage
has a real disadvantage for sorting. I could possibly justify a 4' x
8' roll around cart, but part of my storage rack was to enable me to
store some hardwood pieces as well.

Clearly this is justfication for a 24' x 24' shop addition ;-)
errr... but I'd need to include space for a sink, toilet, frig,
microwave, and bed -- and good plans for a fold-up bed ;-) !!!

cc

coloradotrout

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

30/10/2009 2:26 PM

Art,

That's pretty much what I'm planning also. I will keep the mid
section of the A-frame open for some storage pretty much as shown.

u

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 12:57 PM

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:42:39 -0500, -MIKE- <[email protected]>
wrote:
>> What if a number of sheets of plywood are stored on edge, but they're
>> all clamped together into one solid unit until time for use? I'm
>> wondering what warping if any might occur?

>That's how I did it, with about 5 sheets and they stayed true.

How long did you have them stored that way before you started using
them?

Sk

Swingman

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 7:14 PM

Leon wrote:

> Hard to say but over time something may happen and that is not to say that
> if you don't store plywood on a flat surface that it will not warp either.
> Basically you don't want to look at the plywood at any given day of storace
> and see anything but a flat surface.

You're like me ... you would prefer the retailer store it until you're
ready to use it, then buy the flat ones.


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

Ll

"Leon"

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 5:33 PM


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:37:12 -0500, "Leon" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>If you are stocking up for a future unknown project a good buy today may
>>not
>>be so good when you start to process the material, which has not been
>>properly stored. Would you buy any plywood that had been stored on edge
>>for
>>2-3 months?
>
> What if a number of sheets of plywood are stored on edge, but they're
> all clamped together into one solid unit until time for use? I'm
> wondering what warping if any might occur?

Hard to say but over time something may happen and that is not to say that
if you don't store plywood on a flat surface that it will not warp either.
Basically you don't want to look at the plywood at any given day of storace
and see anything but a flat surface.

Ll

"Leon"

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

25/10/2009 7:53 PM


"coloradotrout" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:d92ecb82-03c7-432f-b33d-163778169781@k26g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
> To minimize warp, laying plywood flat has to be the best. But the
> cons are 4' x 8' of floorspace and more difficult to sort through 10
> sheets. How much is any warp associated with an on-edge storage
> system really going to effect the finished project?

the problem with "on edge" storage is that in not too long of a period of
time the panel will warp. It may not be a problem with the project end
result but cutting warped material, edge banding warped material, and or
attaching a frame around the edges is going to be problematic. Buy it as
you need it, don't store it until you can afford to store it properly,
laying flat.

cc

coloradotrout

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

27/10/2009 8:41 AM

Yeah, I agree, but a couple years ago Home Depot had a bunch of 3/4"
birch/maple ply selling for something like $25 a sheet. Then I
spotted some returns that they sold for even less. It's been sitting
near vertical for over a year now, so I suppose the damage is done.
Mostly now I'm looking for a way to roll this around so I can paint
the shop and organize it.

ww

whit3rd

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

24/10/2009 1:37 PM

On Oct 24, 1:14=A0pm, coloradotrout <[email protected]> wrote:
> To minimize warp, laying plywood flat has to be the best. =A0 But the
> cons are 4' x 8' of floorspace and more difficult to sort through 10
> sheets. =A0 How much is any warp associated with an on-edge storage
> system really going to effect the finished project?

It needn't be floorspace; you can rack onto a hinged frame and winch
it up to the ceiling afterward. Be sure to have redundant fastening
before walking underneath...

Biggest problem is that, when cutting big sheets, the slight bow
makes it not lie flat on the table saw. Clamp-on guides and a
handheld circular saw work even with a bit of warp, but aren't
as accurate.

Me, I just buy the plywood and sheetrock in project-sized
quantities as needed. A few days storage on edge doesn't
hurt. The only wood there taking on a bow now, is scrap anyhow.

Mm

-MIKE-

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 11:42 AM

[email protected] wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:37:12 -0500, "Leon" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> If you are stocking up for a future unknown project a good buy today may not
>> be so good when you start to process the material, which has not been
>> properly stored. Would you buy any plywood that had been stored on edge for
>> 2-3 months?
>
> What if a number of sheets of plywood are stored on edge, but they're
> all clamped together into one solid unit until time for use? I'm
> wondering what warping if any might occur?


That's how I did it, with about 5 sheets and they stayed true.


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

ST

Steve Turner

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 11:46 AM

[email protected] wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:37:12 -0500, "Leon" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> If you are stocking up for a future unknown project a good buy today may not
>> be so good when you start to process the material, which has not been
>> properly stored. Would you buy any plywood that had been stored on edge for
>> 2-3 months?
>
> What if a number of sheets of plywood are stored on edge, but they're
> all clamped together into one solid unit until time for use? I'm
> wondering what warping if any might occur?

Sounds reasonable to me.

--
"Our beer goes through thousands of quality Czechs every day."
(From a Shiner Bock billboard I saw in Austin some years ago)
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/

Mm

-MIKE-

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 12:54 PM

[email protected] wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:42:39 -0500, -MIKE- <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>>> What if a number of sheets of plywood are stored on edge, but they're
>>> all clamped together into one solid unit until time for use? I'm
>>> wondering what warping if any might occur?
>
>> That's how I did it, with about 5 sheets and they stayed true.
>
> How long did you have them stored that way before you started using
> them?

It varied as I took each out to work on, of course.

I would say... a few weeks, maybe. I can't remember, for sure, but
it was at least three weeks from the time I had 5 sheets, until I worked
down to 2 clamped together.

But this was 13ply birch and pretty stable to begin with.

I had a lot going on at that time and the project took a while. :-)


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

Ab

"Artemus"

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

27/10/2009 1:23 PM


"coloradotrout" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:cc1852b3-60d3-4e4f-a14d-f21456ee42ba@g23g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
> Yeah, I agree, but a couple years ago Home Depot had a bunch of 3/4"
> birch/maple ply selling for something like $25 a sheet. Then I
> spotted some returns that they sold for even less. It's been sitting
> near vertical for over a year now, so I suppose the damage is done.
> Mostly now I'm looking for a way to roll this around so I can paint
> the shop and organize it.

Mine is similar to this one
http://www.shopnotes.com/issues/055/extras/roll-around-store-all/
and I have had no warping issues at all with the sheet goods I have on it.
Like you I bought some HD $25 sheets a couple of years ago and the
remaining ones are still in great shape.
On my cart I used both sides for sheet goods and made the center A
frame narrower in width as I wasn't planning on storing much in it anyway.
I used 5/8" BC which was warped to begin with as it was what I had on
hand. After assembly everything was nice and flat. The ends of the A,
and the 2" holes in the top, provide plenty of space for clamping stored
sheets to it to keep them flat. I can send you some pics if you want.
I'll be adding a panel cutting jig to one side but that is still in the planning
stage right now.
Art


u

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 10:47 AM

On Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:37:12 -0500, "Leon" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>If you are stocking up for a future unknown project a good buy today may not
>be so good when you start to process the material, which has not been
>properly stored. Would you buy any plywood that had been stored on edge for
>2-3 months?

What if a number of sheets of plywood are stored on edge, but they're
all clamped together into one solid unit until time for use? I'm
wondering what warping if any might occur?

Ll

"Leon"

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

25/10/2009 7:50 PM


"whit3rd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
On Oct 24, 1:14 pm, coloradotrout <[email protected]> wrote:
> To minimize warp, laying plywood flat has to be the best. But the
> cons are 4' x 8' of floorspace and more difficult to sort through 10
> sheets. How much is any warp associated with an on-edge storage
> system really going to effect the finished project?

It needn't be floorspace; you can rack onto a hinged frame and winch
it up to the ceiling afterward. Be sure to have redundant fastening
before walking underneath...


Yeah, 600#'s hanging from the ceiing is probably not going to be a good
situation PLUS you have not solved the problem of sorting through the
sheets.

Ll

"Leon"

in reply to coloradotrout on 24/10/2009 1:14 PM

26/10/2009 7:37 AM


"coloradotrout" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:69b737ef-e78c-4127-b215-6bbb209cec94@z34g2000vbl.googlegroups.com...
> So generally speaking I need to stop my tendancy to hoard good-buys on
> plywood ;-)


If you are stocking up for a future unknown project a good buy today may not
be so good when you start to process the material, which has not been
properly stored. Would you buy any plywood that had been stored on edge for
2-3 months?


> Maybe a compromise would be to incorporate 3 bandclamps with my
> slightly out of vertical storage rack plans.

What ever insures complete support of one side of the panel. Weight on the
opposite side, other panels works better.


> I only have 8' ceilings, and like another posted noted, flat storage
> has a real disadvantage for sorting. I could possibly justify a 4' x
> 8' roll around cart, but part of my storage rack was to enable me to
> store some hardwood pieces as well.

I have a horizonal rack hanging from my ceiling in my garage. I never put
more than 1 full sheet of 3/4" ply up there but will put several "left
overs" up there. Incorporated on the side is a similar narrower slot for
odd pieces of lumber. I have a store room for the larger quantities of
boards. The rack for the ply is about 8" wider than a sheet for easier in
and out.


>
> Clearly this is justfication for a 24' x 24' shop addition ;-)
> errr... but I'd need to include space for a sink, toilet, frig,
> microwave, and bed -- and good plans for a fold-up bed ;-) !!!

My shop is 18x 25 and I still would not consider an area for plywood
inventory storage even if it was only 1 stack. Way too much valuable floor
space taken up. Now once I get up to about 24x50 it may start to make more
since for me.





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