The original plan calls for a solid oak top with 1 1/2" thick edges.
However, to save money I was planning on using 3/4" oak plywood and
breadboard the edges with 3/4" doubled up oak boards to stiffen the edges
up. I guess my question is, is it satisfactory to do this or should I go
ahead and bite the bullet and use the solid boards? The size of the top is
going to be 32 to 36" wide and about 60 to 65" long. I was concerned as to
how it would look when I applied the light stain and poly finish to it. I
am building Norm's computer desk. Thanks for your suggestions.
Leon wrote:
>
>
> If you do go with plywood for the top you can simply butt the solid trim
> pieces around the perimeter. The breadboard edging is not necessary as the
> plywood center is going to remain quite stable compared to a center that is
> made up of solid wood.
Attaching the skirt is a job made easy with a biscuit joiner. But
it is important to not put the biscuit too close to the top surface
as it can bulge a bit when the biscuit swells
You can run some supports under the plywood from front to back,
even making them a full inch deep or deeper and just taper
them to 3/4" at the front edge so they don't show. Depending on
the construction, those 'joists' can be added later if you are
unhappy with the stiffness of the top.
> That said, almost any plywood panel used on a desk top or table is going to
> be more vulnerable to dings as the plywood typically is much softer than
> solid wood.
Maybe some of the epoxy finishes used in boat building would
harden that writing surface. Using the same finish on top
and bottom iwll minimize the tendency to cup or warp.
--
FF
Make it as light or as heavy as you want. How about buying a
hollow core or solid core door? You could buy an oak door with
oak stiles or add your own edge banding. Commercial door are 1
3/4" residential doors are 1 3/8"
(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)
[email protected]
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h0v6f.456515$x96.208138@attbi_s72...
> The original plan calls for a solid oak top with 1 1/2" thick
> edges.
> However, to save money I was planning on using 3/4" oak plywood
> and
> breadboard the edges with 3/4" doubled up oak boards to stiffen
> the edges
> up. I guess my question is, is it satisfactory to do this or
> should I go
> ahead and bite the bullet and use the solid boards? The size of
> the top is
> going to be 32 to 36" wide and about 60 to 65" long. I was
> concerned as to
> how it would look when I applied the light stain and poly finish
> to it. I
> am building Norm's computer desk. Thanks for your suggestions.
>
>
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Leon wrote:
>
> Attaching the skirt is a job made easy with a biscuit joiner. But
> it is important to not put the biscuit too close to the top surface
> as it can bulge a bit when the biscuit swells
I always try to center the biscuit but with that in mind, I have never
never never ever seen a biscuit swell problem. Let the glue cure before
sanding and you should not have any problems at all. The biscuit should not
stay swolen.
All you have to do is look.
"Toller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> I said "usually" because there is better plywood made, but just try to
find
> it.
>
>
On Sat, 22 Oct 2005 17:53:17 GMT, "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote:
> The original plan calls for a solid oak top with 1 1/2" thick edges.
>However, to save money I was planning on using 3/4" oak plywood and
>breadboard the edges with 3/4" doubled up oak boards to stiffen the edges
>up. I guess my question is, is it satisfactory to do this or should I go
>ahead and bite the bullet and use the solid boards? The size of the top is
>going to be 32 to 36" wide and about 60 to 65" long. I was concerned as to
>how it would look when I applied the light stain and poly finish to it. I
>am building Norm's computer desk. Thanks for your suggestions.
>
Plywood would actually be more stable. I'd use it for a desk as you
describe.
Barry
"Ba r r y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 22 Oct 2005 19:15:42 GMT, "Toller" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Plywood usually looks like plywood.
>
> Not if you buy the right stuff. <G>
>
> Rotary cut ply looks like plywood. Rift, quartersawn, etc... Look
> like solid wood.
>
I said "usually" because there is better plywood made, but just try to find
it.
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h0v6f.456515$x96.208138@attbi_s72...
> The original plan calls for a solid oak top with 1 1/2" thick edges.
> However, to save money I was planning on using 3/4" oak plywood and
> breadboard the edges with 3/4" doubled up oak boards to stiffen the edges
> up. I guess my question is, is it satisfactory to do this or should I go
> ahead and bite the bullet and use the solid boards?
IMO, the solid boards will give a much better looking desk over time. What
is more important to you, a desk that will last 100 years and stilllook
pretty or one that works but saves a few bucks? Neither one is wrong. I
don't think you have to double up the boards though, just make a nice 1 1/2"
trim for the edges.
The size of the top is
> going to be 32 to 36" wide and about 60 to 65" long. I was concerned as
> to
> how it would look when I applied the light stain and poly finish to it. I
> am building Norm's computer desk. Thanks for your suggestions.
If most of the people here were to look at the desk, we'd know it was
plywood. Most others would never know the difference. In any case, it is
many times better than vinyl covered mdf from Staples.
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:h0v6f.456515$x96.208138@attbi_s72...
> The original plan calls for a solid oak top with 1 1/2" thick edges.
> However, to save money I was planning on using 3/4" oak plywood and
> breadboard the edges with 3/4" doubled up oak boards to stiffen the edges
> up. I guess my question is, is it satisfactory to do this or should I go
> ahead and bite the bullet and use the solid boards? The size of the top is
> going to be 32 to 36" wide and about 60 to 65" long. I was concerned as
> to
> how it would look when I applied the light stain and poly finish to it. I
> am building Norm's computer desk. Thanks for your suggestions.
If you do go with plywood for the top you can simply butt the solid trim
pieces around the perimeter. The breadboard edging is not necessary as the
plywood center is going to remain quite stable compared to a center that is
made up of solid wood.
That said, almost any plywood panel used on a desk top or table is going to
be more vulnerable to dings as the plywood typically is much softer than
solid wood.
On Sat, 22 Oct 2005 19:15:42 GMT, "Toller" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Plywood usually looks like plywood.
Not if you buy the right stuff. <G>
Rotary cut ply looks like plywood. Rift, quartersawn, etc... Look
like solid wood.
I've even ripped rotary cut plywood and reassembled it to create a
more authentic look for built-ins. It sounds funny, but it works...
Barry
On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:56:49 GMT, "Toller" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I said "usually" because there is better plywood made, but just try to find
>it.
That's a local thing.
I have 3-4 good sources within an easy drive.