Pre Finished Ply

[robwilson]

Hey Up
Hello to everybody.
I have some built in bedroom cabinets to make and I wanted the insides to look special.
Does anyone know of a UK source of pre finished veneered ply?
I am struggling to source it.

If not a good source of quality unfinished veneered ply.

Many thanks

Rob Wilson

 

[crazylilting]

i've been struggling with the same problem. In canada you could just go to the home depot and buy oak, maple, and birch plywood. here they only seem to sell sapelli plywood with is so dark and ugly.

it would be nice to find a regular supply of birch or maple plywood 3/4 inch of course not 1/4 inch.

 

[TheTiddles]

Any timber merchants will do this

Aidan

 

[CNC Paul]

W T Edens do The Final Touch finished MDF with a polyurethane based lacquer in.
Oak
Maple
Cherry
Ash
Beech
Walnut

 

[JonnyD]

I think you will struggle to find pre finished veneered ply sheets. You can get pre finished veneered MDF from edens http://www.edens.co.uk/.

It would be my preference to use veneered MDF for a job like this. Veneered ply isnt generally available in thicknesses above 12mm and is usually only single sided, unless you go for Birch Faced ply.

The main problem I have with plywood is that it often has stresses in it and can be twisted and not perfectly flat even in the premium grades unlike Veneered MDF which will stay perfectly flat as long as it is stored correctly. I only use veneered ply for drawer bottoms and backs of carcases.

edit paul posted while i was typing.

Jon

 

[Night Train]

I have used Holdex Plywoods in Blackburn Lancs in the past.
Big warehouse stacked with boards and veneered boards of all sorts. I just drove in with my trailer and told the chap what I wanted and he went off and fetched it for me.

 

[oddsocks]

Well that's something else I've learned today from the forum. I never knew you could buy pre finished (laquered) veneered MDF boards!

I've bookmarked the links just in case I ever need any, plus the edens page looks very comprehensive and their nearest depot at Dunstable is not too far away.

Thanks

Dave

 

[crazylilting]

I don't think that mdf is a suitable product for cabinetry. It never has been, i'm shocked they use it over here for cabinets really. I've even seen it used on cabinet doors in this country, its unbelievable really.

Yes it is flat, but all it is sawdust and resins. It is prone to mould and swelling and isn't always flat. It's saw dust is bad for you, leaving you with dermatitis, and the respiratory and the respiratory system problems causing asthma and rhinitis

Formaldehyde is classified in the UK and throughout Europe as a Category 3
Carcinogen. This means it is a substance which "causes concern for humans
owing to possible carcinogenic effects but, in respect of which, available
information is not adequate for making a satisfactory assessment." This
puts formaldehyde on the GPMU list of potential carcinogens, meaning it
should be replaced where possible, and if not, subject to rigorous controls
that reduce exposure to the lowest possible level.

I mean if i have to i will use it but why no plywoods in this country????

Its lighter, stronger, more stable.

 

[lurker]

Tis true the dust is a bit of a bugger but then so are many hardwoods.

I think all the MDF carcinogen thing has blown over now -either "they" were wrong or the formulation of MDF has changed.

FYI - IIRC Coffee is a class 3 carcinogen

 

[TheTiddles]

If you think there's something wrong with using MDF for cabinets, you're using it wrong. Where additional strength is required plywood is used, or blockboard which is stronger still, or chipboard in thick sections, different materials have better suited applications than others.

As for bondging agents, what glue do you think they use in plywood?

Aidan

 

[custard]

but all it is sawdust and resins. It is prone to mould and swelling and isn't always flat. It's saw dust is bad for you, leaving you with dermatitis, and the respiratory and the respiratory system problems causing asthma and rhinitis.

I'm not suggesting a cavalier approach to MDF, but health issues aren't the sole preserve of man made boards. Don't try any deep breathing exercises while sanding cocobolo, and reflect on the alarming statistic that for decades (ie pre-dating the widespread use of MDF) woodworkers have accounted for about half of all nasal cancer cases.

 

[jasonB]

I've used the prefinished MDF, got it from SLH but its the same stuff that Edens do. I'll be using it again for cabinet carcases as its has a classier finish that the woodgrain MFC, though at around £100 a sheet its not cheap but thats easily recovered in the cost of finishing bare boards.

The good thing is it comes with a peel off plastic coating on the best face so you can leave that in place until the cabinets are fixed in place. And the back face is better than a lot of the unfinished veneered MDF about.

As for using MDF for cabinets I see no reason not to. MR won't swell unless you get it very wet. All MDF sold here is class A Low Formaldihide and if you are that bothered buy zero formaldihide. They even make bath panels and loo seats out of it "over here" :wink:

I mean if i have to i will use it but why no plywoods in this country

It is not available in faced boards over 12mm and even if it was the cost would be far higher than MDF. We just don't have the forests that the US has so have to make us eof fast growing species like stika which can be pulped with no waste

Jason

 

[RogerS]

Looking at Edens website I get the impression that they only sell veneered plywood in large packs (eg 50 sheets). If this is correct can anyone point me in the direction of smaller quantities?

 

[jasonB]

They will do split packs but prefer not to sell just one or two sheets and teh cost is more for small orders, their pricing is broken down into £100-250, 250-500 and over £500 which would likely be a pack rate. I've only used them when I need a dozen or so boards so i may be they have a minimum order value of £100.

Jason