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#1
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wood selection question
I am planning to build a free standing liquor cabinet for myself. The finish will be a painted one. The wood that I have available is walnut, mahogany, white oak and hard maple. I prefer not to use plywood if at all possible and the thought of painting the wood I have on hand doesn't please me. I'm guessing that pine might be too soft. So I was thinking of alder, birch, ash, basswood and poplar. Other than birch I haven't worked he other woods much, if at all. Considering that cost is also a factor - anyone have any suggestions on what would give me the best result/cost? Thanx, Vic Baron -- There are 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those who don't |
#2
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Popular would be a good choice, but if painting why not MDF? Machines
great, takes paint great. Only real downside is the weight. John On Tue, 05 Apr 2005 23:05:01 GMT, "Vic Baron" wrote: I am planning to build a free standing liquor cabinet for myself. The finish will be a painted one. The wood that I have available is walnut, mahogany, white oak and hard maple. I prefer not to use plywood if at all possible and the thought of painting the wood I have on hand doesn't please me. I'm guessing that pine might be too soft. So I was thinking of alder, birch, ash, basswood and poplar. Other than birch I haven't worked he other woods much, if at all. Considering that cost is also a factor - anyone have any suggestions on what would give me the best result/cost? Thanx, Vic Baron |
#3
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"Vic Baron" wrote in
m: I am planning to build a free standing liquor cabinet for myself. The finish will be a painted one. The wood that I have available is walnut, mahogany, white oak and hard maple. I prefer not to use plywood if at all possible and the thought of painting the wood I have on hand doesn't please me. I'm guessing that pine might be too soft. So I was thinking of alder, birch, ash, basswood and poplar. Other than birch I haven't worked he other woods much, if at all. Considering that cost is also a factor - anyone have any suggestions on what would give me the best result/cost? In the SF Bay Area, poplar is about $2.15/bf, give or take, and soft maple is about $3.10/bf, same dealer, same volumes, 4/4, s3s. I've used both for paint grade projects. I also did one in birch, just to see how the wood worked. At least that variety, and those couple of boards weren't an invitation to try again. YMMV. Poplar is relatively uniform, and easier to work, but also easier for me to ding in the shop. If the project is small, I'll almost always use soft maple, becasue there will invariably be a couple of pieces with really nice grain that I can put in the storage rack for a later project, which will get shellac or Waterlox, and show off. If there is a lot of material to buy, or the project is on someone else's nickel, I let them make the choice. I'd just as soon work maple as poplar. SWMBO is trying to decide if she wants a maple or a painted vanity in the bathroom remodel. I told her I didn't want to do red oak again anytime soon. Patriarch |
#4
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I agree with the Poplar for painting. Great to work with. Few knots to
deal with. Very little movement. If you like the MDF idea you can use Armorcore (sp?). It is MDF sandwiched over veneers of ply. A lot lighter than MDF proper. Of course, this is ply like but honestly I don't see the problem with using ply for a painted piece. BW |
#5
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Poplar. Great to work with, machines well, takes paint really well,
relatively inexpensive. "Vic Baron" wrote in message m... I am planning to build a free standing liquor cabinet for myself. The finish will be a painted one. The wood that I have available is walnut, mahogany, white oak and hard maple. I prefer not to use plywood if at all possible and the thought of painting the wood I have on hand doesn't please me. I'm guessing that pine might be too soft. So I was thinking of alder, birch, ash, basswood and poplar. Other than birch I haven't worked he other woods much, if at all. Considering that cost is also a factor - anyone have any suggestions on what would give me the best result/cost? Thanx, Vic Baron -- There are 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those who don't |
#6
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Poplar gets my vote as well.
I've used it on several projects which were to be painted, including a set of kitchen cabinets. Ron |
#7
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Use whatever is cheapest; what does it matter?
However... if it is close in price, ash is harder and stronger than poplar. |
#8
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Thanx for the input. Don't care for MDF so I've narrowed it down to two
scenarios. If I confirm that I'm going to do a paint finish, I'll go with ply sides and use eother poplar or ash for the doors, drawers, etc. If I decide to leave it unpainted, then I'm going to make it a good quality piece and use either walnut or mahogany - leaning toward mahogany. Have the design sketched out, just haven't decided if I'm going to make a piece of furniture for myself or just something to hold my booze stash. Since I have no SWMBO any longer, I get to make the decision all by my lonesome. Thanx again - Vic |
#9
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On Wed, 06 Apr 2005 15:17:54 GMT, "Vic Baron" wrote:
snip Have the design sketched out, just haven't decided if I'm going to make a piece of furniture for myself or just something to hold my booze stash. Since I have no SWMBO any longer, I get to make the decision all by my lonesome. Thanx again - Vic Having been divorced twice, let me offer a suggestion... decide on the plan and material BEFORE sampling the contents of the cabinet.. you can get some really weird plans after a few drinks.. BTDT mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
#10
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Having been divorced twice, let me offer a suggestion... decide on the plan and material BEFORE sampling the contents of the cabinet.. you can get some really weird plans after a few drinks.. BTDT mac ROFLMAO! |
#11
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Patriarch wrote: SWMBO is trying to decide if she wants a maple or a painted vanity in the bathroom remodel. I told her I didn't want to do red oak again anytime soon. Why is that, Patriarch? -Chris |
#12
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"TheNewGuy" wrote in message oups.com... Patriarch wrote: SWMBO is trying to decide if she wants a maple or a painted vanity in the bathroom remodel. I told her I didn't want to do red oak again anytime soon. Why is that, Patriarch? -Chris I was going to ask the same thing. Max D. |
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