Can Home Depot Cut Plywood? Heres How!
Table of Content
It's more likely to dent or scratch, so it shouldn't be used on tabletops or desks that get a lot of heavy use. Plywood prices in Home Depot change from time to time, but the average would be around $33 to $35 for a 32” x 4’ x 8’ sanded pine plywood. This is just my estimation since the prices have escalated lately due to the pandemic. A few Home Depot stores I’ve visited have the ‘Reduced Lumber’ corner. Basically, it’s a pile of wood products with minor damages, but still useful. These are extremely discounted, sometimes even up to 70%.
On cheaper 7 ply plywood, big chunks can break off of the cut edge and weaken the joint between two pieces. Notice how the top and bottom layers of the 7 ply sheet is super thin, while the rest are pretty thick? Now imagine sanding that piece of plywood, and how easy it would be to sand through to the next layer. The 11-ply sheet has more consistent layers, and a thicker top and bottom layer that's harder to sand through.
Sanded plywood
A platform cart will also work if you’re buying other bulky items. Also, it usually has a higher number of veneer layers than interior plywood. This is so that there is more glue in the plywood, which makes the sheet more resistant to water and mildew. However, you still need to apply a water resistant coating, like exterior paint, to protect the wood from rotting.
Take a look at both sides of the sheet before you buy it so that you don’t get any surprises later on. Hardwood plywood may have a different species for the inner core, or even a solid wood core, which can save you money. Structural plywood is used for roof sheathing or subfloors, and will probably be covered up with something more decorative. Structural plywood comes in both C and D grades, but no higher. This grade is typically used as subfloor plywood, and is covered up with something else to make it look nice. Do you need to buy expensive Baltic birch 11-ply plywood for your first basic project?
How much is plywood in Home Depot?
I'll only use the good stuff on the nicest furniture pieces that rely on precision accuracy without any bowing. First, a log is soaked in water, then it is loaded onto a big machine which shaves the log down into thin sheets - like peeling an apple. These sheets are called “veneer” and they are glued together in opposing directions and pressed to create plywood. What's the difference between types of plywood, or what to look for when buying plywood.
Sometimes, you will see plywood that has two letter grades. This means that one side of the sheet is grade A and the other side is grade B. So one side will be perfectly smooth and the other side will have patched knot holes.
Can Home Depot Cut Plywood? Here’s How!
It's a cheap option for covering a large area, but I would go with something nicer if you're making something you'll see all the time. OSB is a product somewhat similar to particleboard, but it is made from large thin chips and slivers rather than little splinters. Since the pieces it's made of are more robust, the material itself is also stronger than particleboard. This comes in handy because A - B will be cheaper than straight A. Often it won't matter for your project because people will only be able to see one side of the wood anyway.
Most of the time, customers get their plywood cut in-store, so it will be easier to fit inside the vehicle. They will just polish it at home to suit the exact size they need. There are tons of different types of plywood and the selection can be overwhelming. I cover the main ones below, but you can always ask the employees at your local lumber yard what they would recommend. Aside from that, the blades they use are for multi-purpose cutting. Also, it’s being used all day, so you shouldn’t expect the edges to be smooth.
Marine plywood
For painted projects that will have both sides of the boards showing, like this entryway storage bench, I'll use B grade plywood. The holes in the outside layers are patched, and the paint will cover up any knots or imperfections for a flawless finish. You may see the term "sanded plywood" when shopping for plywood sheets for your project.
I used prefinished hardwood plywood to build my kitchen cabinets. It had a flawless wood veneer on both sides, and a clear finish that protects the wood from heavy use. The grade of your plywood refers to the quality and appearance of the wood, particularly on the outside layers you can see.
However, I was told it would cost a small added fee, though this may not be the case in all stores. Also, Home Depot staff are only trained to handle wood that’s inside the store. They can attest to its quality, and the company is answerable in case the wood is found to have defects while cutting. It is made from small wood splinters which are scraps from the large saw mills which fabricate other wood products. Softwood plywood or sanded plywood is usually cheaper, and is made out of pine, fir or spruce.
We’re talking about plywood here, so the edges will most likely be rough and uneven. Once you have decided what type of plywood best suits your needs, it's time to go buy it! Here are a few things to watch out for when you're selecting your wood.
Take note that just because there’s someone assigned for wood-cutting doesn’t mean you’ll sit around and wait. You should help the person cut the plywood for you. Remember, this is a free service, so a helping hand would be much appreciated. If this free service is made available to wood purchased outside, woodworkers will come lining up to Home Depot. That means everyone can use their cutting tool without buying anything from the store. Not only does marine plywood use weather resistant adhesive, but it can also be made with rot resistant wood.
The major benefit of this material is the perfection of the finished surface. Since it's completely fabricated, you don’t have to worry about any knots or imperfections in your piece. However, there's no wood grain, which can be a problem if you want to stain your finished project. MDF is one of the most common plywood alternatives.
The higher the grade, the more flawless the surface will be. Think about how your project will be finished before choosing the plywood. Plus, it's an easier and more cost effective way to cover a larger area. Remember that sometimes one piece of plywood will have two grades.
The first thing to look out for when buying plywood is whether the board lays flat. If it's warped, swelling, or has waves in it, stay away! This can be a sign of water damage, or just bad quality in general. I've been known to dig down three or four layers before finally finding a good sheet. All those thin veneer layers take a lot of effort to glue together, which can increase the cost.
Comments
Post a Comment