NE

"Never Enough Money"

29/04/2005 2:40 PM

Finnform from Woodpeckers

Anyone use Finnform (Phenolic coated finland birch plywood) for router
table tops? Seems like a good choice....

http://www.woodpeck.com/fbplywood.html#395


This topic has 4 replies

NE

"Never Enough Money"

in reply to "Never Enough Money" on 29/04/2005 2:40 PM

29/04/2005 3:45 PM

Guess I should have done a search first -- seems some of you like it
some don't (mostly due to costs).

NE

"Never Enough Money"

in reply to "Never Enough Money" on 29/04/2005 2:40 PM

02/05/2005 6:12 AM

I surprised I got no responses to this post in 3 days. I guess the
answer to my OP is: "none of us have used Finnform for a router table
top."

So my next question is: why not? Is it not flat enough, not strong
enough, too expensive, never knew it existed, what?

NE

"Never Enough Money"

in reply to "Never Enough Money" on 29/04/2005 2:40 PM

02/05/2005 8:52 AM

I just spoke with a Woodpecker's representative. He said that FinnForm
is not the best choice for router table tops because of flatness issues
(for the tolerances expected in cabinet/furniture making). He'd
recommend something thicker and flatter. He said if you use FinnForm,
you should have plenty of support fron underneath.

He suggested several options: layering the Finnform, using baltic
birch, using the commercial router tops like the one's from Woodpeckers
or other manufacturers, etc.

In general I thought he was quite honest and not just trying to make a
buck by selling to me. I felt he was concerned about my satisfaction as
a customer, which in the end helps him make a buck since I'm likely to
sing Woodpeckers' praises in places like rec.woodworking....

JM

"James Main"

in reply to "Never Enough Money" on 29/04/2005 2:40 PM

02/05/2005 10:11 AM

I used what appears to be the same material from Woodcraft-the outer plies
are impregnated with Phenolic resin-giving it a green color and very slick.
However-the price is up there, I believe mine were $40 for a 2x4x3/4 pc.
There is a 1/16" sag-probably from it being stored incorrectly for a long
period of time. (When I picked it up-it was dusty-not saw dusty) So I assume
it does not sell all that well. Having said all that-I made two "gussets" or
stiffeners that go underneath and have flattened it very nicely. having no
problems with it, work slides nicely, apparently will wear like iron-no
marks on it as of yet. I sealed the edges of it with shellac and then two
coats of epoxy paint-so it should remain stable. If you can get it in sizes
bigger then 2x4 I would use it. As everything else in this hobby of
ours-there are 1000 problems, then 1000 different solutions by 1000
different people-and everyone of us swears that we have the one and only
true solution. better to just do something for yourself, enjoy it and move
forward. Good luck in your quest


You’ve reached the end of replies