"Jerry" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I'm a newbie but am going to build a built-in cabinet / desk center in
my house. The unit will have a table top that is about 80" wide by
about 32" deep. However the two ends will be on top of cabinets so the
open (non supported) area between the end cabinets is about 38" wide.

This thing will be of cherry and I want to have a cherry table top
with the above dimensions. I would like the table top to be at least
1" thick for rigidity -- I don't think a 3/4" plywood would work
without saging/warping in the center.

That is not all that much of a span. To add rigidity, just screw and glue a
vertical piece along the back. It only have to be an inch wide or so to make
it very strong. This is the way bridges are built. My crappy particleboard
desk has a span of about 58" clean and support the monitor and assorted junk
on my desk.

As for the plywood versus solid wood, that is a function of time and money.
IMO, real wood glued up and properly finished will look far better than
plywood. OTOH, plywood is easier, faster, probably cheaper to make such a
large piece. You can band it in solid wood and it will look nice. I'm
finishing a stand right now that is oak plywood with solid trim. Overall,
it will be just fine but if I was making heirloom furniture, it would be
solid, no ply.
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome