DIY plywood furniture
If you have never created objects from plywood with your own hands, then you should think about it now. When purchasing finished products, you overpay for assembly. And often when we buy ready-made parts, we overpay for manual work on them. It will be much cheaper to create by hand from available materials such as plywood.
Plywood kitchen set with built-in appliances
Before you start creating plywood furniture with your own hands, you should decide on the design of the structure. Perhaps you will find a suitable drawing on the Internet, or maybe you can draw it yourself. Familiarize yourself with the selection and processing of materials before starting work.
DIY cutting of a plywood chair according to the drawing
Plywood selection
Texture of a new sheet of plywood
Plywood is made from thin layers of wood, called plies or veneers, bonded together under heat and pressure, with layers laid perpendicular to the next. It consists of three thin layers of wood glued together with glue. Most manufacturers compress the raw materials into large flat sheets used in building construction. Other elements can be formed into simple or complex ones for use in furniture, boats and airplanes.
Plywood of different thicknesses in the construction industry
The use of thin layers of lumber as a construction method has been known since 1500 BC. Then the best craftsmen of Egypt tied thin pieces of ebony with part of a cedar coffin, which was used in the tomb of Tut-Ankh-Amun. This method was used by the Greeks and Romans to construct beautiful furniture and various things.
High-quality Finnish plywood for beautiful products
Notching method
If you need to bend plywood with a thickness of 16 to 22 millimeters, then the notching method is the most effective. This will require a cutter. It makes cuts at the intended bend location. In this case, the depth of the cut should not exceed half the total thickness of the workpiece. Also, the cut should reach the veneer, which is located in the opposite direction, to the extent that it does not break. If on one side the angle is needed by the other, then cuts in these places are made of a different width. Using this principle, plywood is bent to make a boat.
Next, the bent workpiece is clamped onto a form, on top of which a sheet of veneer is glued. The drying period may take twenty-four hours. PVA or epoxy can be used as an adhesive.
It is permissible to glue this or that part both inside and, conversely, with cuts. If the cuts are on the outside, voids may form.
Raw materials
Plywood made from different types of wood with different structures and patterns
Plywood is made from hardwood and softwood, or combinations thereof. Typical hardwoods include ash, maple and oak. Composite plywood comes in the form of particle board or solid pieces of lumber.
The type of adhesive used to join the layers of wood depends on the specific application of the finished material. For softwood material, phenol-formaldehyde resin is usually used as an adhesive. For hardwood raw materials used in construction, urea-formaldehyde resin is usually taken as an adhesive.
Application of plywood depending on the grade according to GOST
There are two main classes of material, each with its own classification system. One class is known as construction or industrial. This grade is used primarily for its strength and is rated by the impact ability and grade of the veneer. The other class is known as decorative. Plywoods in this class are used primarily for their appearance and are sorted in descending order of moisture resistance.
Beautiful decorative plywood for interior work and furniture
Attention to every layer
Curved plywood
There are several difficulties in the process. What are they connected to? Mainly, with the structure of the material and the technological process of a particular bending method. For example:
- It is easier to work with plywood of the smallest thickness. But do not forget that to make a banal arch you will need plywood 10 mm thick. It will take effort to bend such a “puff”.
- Each layer of veneer is located at a different angle. This is due to the fact that it gives the product strength as well as resistance to bending.
- In special workshops it is very easy to bend plywood. It is completely soaked under steam and with the help of a special vice it is bent into the required shape.
A similar method can also be used at home. To do this, you should correctly use steam from a boiling pan or kettle. Some people use household irons that produce steam.
Given all these nuances, it is important to understand the following. Plywood, like, in principle, all wood, cools very quickly. Using the steaming method at home, it is extremely difficult to achieve uniform heating of the sheet. Therefore, this method will be relevant for small workpieces.
Plywood processing
Processing plywood along the contour for the manufacture of future products
It doesn't matter if you're a skilled woodworker, carpenter, or just an enthusiast who wants to make your own furniture - you'll need to cut plywood or veneered wood. Learning to cut without tearing is not that easy. It has a different structure. Thus, some species are highly susceptible to splitting during processing. It doesn't really matter what cutting tool you use because it's not about the cutting tool. Each cutting tool must be used in a specific way to cut without tearing.
Methods for cutting plywood using discs on a table
Various figures for decorating your home and garden
Fun plywood figures will add new colors to any space. They can be used not only as interior decoration, but also to decorate the yard. The corresponding sites are full of drawings of plywood crafts depicting people, animals, birds, and flowers. You can make a cat climbing a fence, a hedgehog hiding among the bushes, an owl perching on a vine.
If you allocate a separate corner for plywood crafts, you can create a real oasis for rest and relaxation in your yard, imitating, for example, a jungle or a forest clearing.
Flat figures are suitable for decorating outdoor furniture, garden utensils, organizers, and flower pots. Bright decor will prevent you from falling into melancholy and will delight your baby.
How to cut plywood with a jigsaw
Cutting out small parts from plywood with a jigsaw
Most DIY plywood cutters use a jigsaw because it is a cheap and accessible tool. The first thing you need to do is find the right blade for cutting plywood. The blades that you get with your jigsaw in most cases are not suitable for cutting plywood.
But even with the best blade available, you may be disappointed. There are a few tricks to avoid some oddities. You can mark the cutting line with a pencil, and then use a utility knife and ruler to cut the line you want, then cut with a jigsaw. Another trick is to put masking tape on both sides of the cutting lines and then cut through the tape with a jigsaw. From experience, using the proper blade with duct tape produces excellent results.
An electric jigsaw is an indispensable tool for making curved wood products
Caring for plywood furniture
Products made from plywood are quite unpretentious. They do not require special conditions for normal operation. To prevent surfaces from becoming dusty, they are regularly wiped with a damp, well-wrung out cotton cloth. If necessary, wash the furniture with a cleaning solution, which is then thoroughly washed and the product is allowed to dry. To reduce dust accumulation, furniture is treated with an antistatic agent.
To make your products last longer, you should follow these tips:
- maintain normal humidity in the room (about 60%) - this will prevent the plywood from drying out;
- do not place hot objects on furniture surfaces;
- periodically treat products with polish or wood oil.
Plywood furniture is a real find for those who value practicality and environmental friendliness in their furnishings. It will fit perfectly into the interior, will not cause unnecessary expenses and will allow you to admire the natural beauty for many years!
How to cut plywood with a wood saw
Makita table saw for cutting wood or plywood
If you work on a lot of woodworking projects, you probably have a table saw and use it to cut plywood. The most important thing is to choose the right blade. Try a blade with 80 teeth or more to ensure minimal tearing.
If you don't have a suitable blade, I recommend using a saw blade to ensure a clean cut. You have to consider the sharpness of the cutter. No matter what blade you use, you will never achieve a clean cut. Make sure the blades are completely free of resin as resin greatly affects performance by causing the wood to tear.
Your wood saw needs to be perfectly aligned when cutting. There is no trick to maintaining your material if the blade is not aligned.
How to cut plywood with a circular saw
Sawing plywood with a circular saw
When cutting using a circular saw, the blade must be suitable for the plywood sheet. I recommend using a blade with 80 teeth or more. When you use a circular saw, you don't have to worry about the underside of the plywood sheet because the tearing only happens on the top side. This is the easiest way to get a clean cut.
The duct tape trick also works on a circular saw, but it may be easier to make a light cut along the cut line and then cut it down.
Compact and powerful hand-held circular saw for cutting plywood
Is it possible to cut plywood with a handsaw?
Correct hand jigsaws for cutting wood and plywood
The myth that you can't cut thin plywood or veneer with a handsaw is false. The truth is that most of you haven't even tried. But you can cut even large sheets.
When cutting plywood with a handsaw, take your time. Small, slow cuts are the best way to cut plywood without tearing.
We cut a circle from thin plywood by hand
Some useful tips
Bending
For successful work, it is important to remember several nuances. The bending radius across is much smaller than along. Store already bent parts in a room with low humidity up to 10%. If you choose the steaming method, then such structures should be bent when they are still warm. An important factor is the company that manufactured this sheet of plywood. They may be able to bend the plywood to the required angle. This service will be especially useful if you do not want or are afraid of spoiling the material you purchased.
So, we have looked at different methods. Most of them are simple and can be easily implemented even at home. You will definitely succeed. Share your comments about your experiments when bending plywood.
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Features of material processing in the manufacture of kitchen furniture
Large kitchen made of plywood, made by yourself
The strength and durability of plywood are the reasons why many quality kitchen cabinets feature plywood construction. Kitchen cabinets experience a lot of wear and tear. They open and close throughout the day. They are exposed to moisture, grease, heat, etc. Plywood can withstand all of this, which is why it is good as a material for building things around the house.
If you decide to start making kitchen furniture, consider factors such as the overall layout of the kitchen and the dampness of the room, which will spoil your design; Correctly calculate the thickness of the doors used during construction.
Interesting kitchen made of plywood with a work surface and a bar counter
Operating rules
When using plywood interior items, you should remember the following.
- It is necessary to exclude exposure to moisture. Otherwise, the plywood will begin to delaminate and the furniture will become unusable.
- If the piece of furniture is made of thin material, you cannot place heavy things on it. This will lead to deflection of the loaded element, which in the future is almost impossible to straighten. And if the plywood is not of very high quality, it may even break.
- Place things on plywood products with the utmost care. Veneer is a sensitive material, so careless handling can cause dents. Of course, they can be sealed with wood putty, but it will not look nice.
Assembly
Prepared parts for assembling a small plywood cabinet
Prepare the space, preferably in the room where the created furniture will be located. And remember that you will need to move freely around the structure during construction work. Choose a well-ventilated or open work area and place a tarp under furniture.
Inventory the tools and materials that will be needed. Let them always be at hand.
Decide how the assembly process will take place. Draw a rough plan for connecting all the parts, it usually doesn’t take much time. It also helps to better visualize the final design and improve the design if necessary.
If you need a hammer to hold 2 parts together, give preference to a rubber mallet.
Measure everything thoroughly. One mistake can lead to unnecessary expenses.
Simple DIY plywood children's furniture
Decoration
Small chest of drawers made of plywood with decor
Upon completion of the work, you need to think about decorating the furniture. Here are the simplest tips.
- Prepare the surface. Degrease and lightly sand the entire part. Since the top veneer is usually smooth, you just need to lightly rub with a piece of sandpaper, remove dust with a brush and wipe with a damp cloth. This will remove all protruding wood fibers, improve the absorbency of the surface and remove excess varnish or paint, if any. Then coat it with a primer and wait until it dries, if you have not already coated it with varnish or paint.
- Add wheels. Casters add height and allow furniture to be moved easily. All you have to do is spin the rollers.
- Remove the legs. Get rid of them for a more modern look.
- Change your door handles to nicer ones. (Please make sure your new hardware will fit the holes before purchasing.)
- If you have created a bed, think about a beautiful headboard.
Painted designer plywood furniture
Change the color scheme, or adapt it to the design of the room. Hardwood plywood often has a smooth top veneer, making it easy to paint. Even laminated furniture can be painted, so if you are not happy with the color, you can always change it. Paint from top to bottom. For a small piece of furniture, you can use a wide, flat-bristled brush, brushing from top to bottom. For a large flat surface such as a countertop, a paint roller provides a smoother finish than a brush and is easier to handle. Apply two coats of paint, allowing each to dry completely.
Regardless of your decorating scheme, you may want to stain the wood to highlight its natural features. If the furniture has a nice grain, use these stains and outline them with polyacrylic paint to bring out the beauty of the wood. This technique works well with rustic or natural design themes.
Children's playhouse made of plywood and wood for a children's room
Types of models
Any room can become a place for such a pleasant “guest”. Only the operating conditions must be thought out as much as possible, then the furniture will last a long time and create the necessary amenities for its owners.
In some cases, a room requires a design option that is impervious to moisture; in others, it is generally impossible to recommend using a material with a laminate, so as not to spoil the overall decor.
- For example, for use in an office environment, this option is generally ideal. Firstly, this is directly related to the originality of the designers’ ideas put into practice.
- Uniqueness is in many ways desired in today's fast-paced environments. For buyers, most studios have developed interesting modern models of both tables and cabinets, very comfortable and unusual.
- Here you can always find document shelves to suit your taste, where everything you need will be conveniently placed. Of particular interest are always the improved and, at the same time, creative designs of armchairs and various models of chairs, which are always offered to visitors with pleasure.
Sleeping cribs sometimes look great and extraordinary at home when combined with compact-sized transformers in the form of tables. The presence of a small wall or miniature bedside table adds charm without disturbing the overall design style.
Dear ladies always highly appreciate signs of attention, which are expressed in a luxurious dressing table with a comfortable chair next to it.
Of course, for children, all the sharp corners are rounded, and the set or individual item itself is painted in a bright, pleasant color or retains all its external signs of natural wood.
- Furniture for cottages and gardens is light in terms of tables and comfortable in terms of sun loungers.
- When relaxing, you always want to give your eye a break from the usual surroundings, which is largely facilitated by the presence of structures that are unusual in their whimsical originality.
- One has only to take into account that if such products tolerate high humidity perfectly, then in the winter cold they should definitely be placed in the house.
Transformers have firmly established themselves in our lives, thanks to their ability to change functionality. A minute ago it was a comfortable lounger, and now in front of you is a beautiful sofa or an equally comfortable chair.
If you assemble the furniture yourself, then at the right time the bedroom can turn into a boudoir room, and the living room can acquire new features of minimalism or loft.
