DON'T USE 3/4" PLYWOOD If You Don't Need It...TRY THIS! (1/2" Plywood Vs. 3/4" Plywood--When to Use)
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- Опубліковано 21 тра 2021
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DON'T USE 3/4" PLYWOOD If You Don't Need It...TRY THIS! (1/2" Plywood Vs. 3/4" Plywood--When to Use)
Many new woodworkers and DIYers rush to use 3/4" plywood for any small project. But, in many cases, 3/4" plywood is overkill! This short video from The Honest Carpenter will show you a better alternative for many DIY projects--1/2" plywood!
1/2" plywood comes in nearly every variety that 3/4" plywood does. It's extremely strong and stable.
Many people seem to avoid 1/2" plywood on the assumption that it's weak. But, it has many of the same properties as 3/4" plywood.
(3/4" is a much more common measurement for wood in general--this may be one of the reasons that people assume that they need to purchase 3/4" plywood.)
BENEFITS OF 1/2" PLYWOOD:
--It's lighter (by almost 20 lbs. per sheet)
--It's cheaper (by $10-12 on overage per sheet)
--It's easier on tools
--It produces less sawdust
--It is easier to handle and manipulate
--It has an edge just wide enough to be hit with brads and trim nails
SITUATIONS WHERE 3/4" PLYWOOD IS PREFERRED:
--Anything that will be walked on
--Anything that will be hit hard with tools
--Anything that will be roughly handled.
TIPS FOR WORKING WITH 1/2" PLYWOOD:
--Try not to span it more than 24" unsupported in any direction
--Get support directly beneath the edges
--Use glue when bonding pieces
--Use face frames for additional support on trim projects
Thanks for watching! Be sure to check us out at The Honest Carpenter Website:
www.thehonestcarpenter.com - Навчання та стиль
Glad I watched this video. I got approved for a loan to buy a sheet of 1/2", but not 3/4".
Hope you didn't go with an ARM. The lower rates are tempting I know but you can really get stuck 3 or 4 years down the road when the interest rates rise - then you may lose your whole piece of plywood to foreclosure.
don't miss the payments and your credit report will take off like a rocket on that !!!
Very good.
We’re working on our credit score.... started by applying for a drink at Starbucks
You gotta start somewhere, right?!?
Congratulations that’s not easy with the condition of our economy , not only is the price of wood crazy expensive but with the way the government is printing money and giving it away to every special interest group that piece of 1/2 plywood may cost 710.00 dollars .
I have done some woodworks in the past but this woodwork plan ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG helps me do much in a far lesser time than i used to do i have already built several projects with this plan and i intend to do many more soon. Thank you so much!
You belong to the elite group of
instructors that make every word count and do not ramble on aimlessly. I learn from all of
your videos. Many thanks!
Good grief…😩
And I hope I never get sooo good that I can no longer learn from a master.
My wife was always telling me 1/2” would make a big difference, now I finally understand what she was talking about.
🤣 You made my morning thanks!
Ha...I just caught on 😀
🤣🤣🤣
She was wanting more, not less.
Good one! 😂
Prices still suck in 2024.
Im almost 64 and been doing woodworking for over 50 years and 1/2" plywood is very strong so I agree with you I did all of my kitchen cabinet so anyone watching this the man is right try it and then make up your mind but trust me hes right
I love this because when someone asks me why I went with 1/2” instead of 3/4” I can now give them a slew of reasons why. Instead of just saying it’s cheaper and lighter 😁
Intelligent mixing of the two. 3/4" and 1/2" plywood.
You UA-cam pros are a godsend for the diy selfer I just built my first kitchen counter and cupboards for my mom and she loves it. Keep up the good work.
Considering recent prices, this video installment is truly looking on the bright side! Thank you!
I have been using 1/2 inch ply for years, I also use 2 x 3's instead of 2 x 4's, and yes I did because of cost, lighter, and in most cases it's easier to work with, thanks for info, you do nice work, I look forward to your videos, I learn something new every time...
You are awesome at making this easier for some of us that are not experienced, except for wood shop in high school, 50 years ago. Thanks for keeping it simple.
This info is SO in time!!! Thanks! I'm about to dig into huge all furniture project (starting with kitchen build) for my 1st client and was looking for ways to cheap it down in materials costs. You're right, wood prices are going crazy these days here in Russia as well! I definetely happy I came across your channel! You got me. I subscribe!
Thanks for this explanation. I was cringing at the cost of building custom cabinets with 3/4”, so knowing that 1/2” will work will actually save thousands of dollars on my projects.
Fantastic. My husband and I have just about every power/hand tool known to man (or woman). My husband actually knows how to use all of these tools and is a great teacher on how to best utilize them. Also very safety conscious! I love using 1/2" plywood and he has been a 3/4" fan. (Just stronger! GRRR) I appreciate the support and info from your wonderful channel. He may even admit that 1/2" could actually be an alternative to some of his bulky wood projects. When I need to create a shelf, etc., I always go with 1/2" (supports, too). It is much more fun to handle and, having a Sawstop table saw now I feel so much more confident in ripping, etc. ☮
I like your optimism. It’s 2023 and those plywood prices look GREAT now…
Excellent show sir. Thanks for posting it. When I was young just out of High school I made sure to get schooling in all the trades. I went for plumbing, heating A/C, electrical and even welding. I held licenses in all of them. My father was a carpenter/roofer so I already was trained in that by him. I have never needed to call anyone in my 35+ years of homeownership. I take pride in that. I am also a classic car collector. See where the welding helps...hahaha. Anyway, looking forward to your videos.
It's funny. I remember the day I came to this realization. I was building out a walk in closet with a full storage system. When I went to buy the plywood they only had 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. Not wanting to delay the project, I bought 1/2". At first I couldn't believe the weight difference of the towers that made up the majority of the system. Installation was simple. The longest shelf span I had was 24" and initially I was freaking out it would bow eventually. 14 years later I look at those shelves 5 times a day and see that they are still perfectly straight. Over the years most of my projects, other than kitchens carcasses or things I need hinges, are 1/2". Let's face it, I'm not parking a car on it, they just hold a few pairs of pants.
Have rarely thought 1/2" was insufficient for the applications discussed. Thanks for sharing
The Honest Carpenter:"remember use less thick wood"
IKEA: "Hold my beer"
Sorry it i should be...
IKEA: Hold my lingonberry sauce
Honest Carpenter: ---> WOOD
IKEA: ---> PAPER
@@johnhill8958 compressed fiber junk furnature XD
Thank thank you thank you. I have been saying this for a couple of decades. I have been told I am too cheap because of this, but build to the need has always been my mantra.
I use 1/2" plywood. I learn that Iif I use the proper amount of "support " I maintained the same structural strength. The majority of custom cabinet makers in my area use 1/2 for the carcass. Good video
So great! I finished a project in my "Krude Karpentry" at our cottage using 1/2" ply. Reason was simply price at first, then I noticed exactly the same things, light weight, easy to operate and cut etc. The end product, sizeable wood framed doors for an outdoor shed, become manageable and easier to assemble to an existing structure.
I am so happy I watched your video, again.
Thanks for another useful tip. BYW - your tip for keeping a 5 in 1 painters tool in the tool bag has been a game changer for me with several remodel projects around the house. Every time I use it I think about how right you were. 👍🏼👍🏼
I just did all new cabinets in my kitchen. I experimented with half-inch, but I just could not get consistent results from the pocket screws. My local dealer carries 5/8 baltic birch and that worked out superbly. I was committed to pocket screws because we downsized a few years ago and we don't have space for a table saw (my son inherited my woodshop machines when we moved)
I now make my living with wood (previously just a keen hobbyist), but I'd be lost without my table saw. I guess you break down sheet goods with a track saw or handheld circular now? I made a pocket hole jig a few years ago, and has been handy on occasion, though at some point I would like to properly explore its usage, especially with dowels, or maybe also utilising my domino machine. I like the build method of IKEA furniture, so maybe one day.
As a relatively new woodworker, I struggle with designing my own projects because I didn’t know when to use what lumber. Thx Ethan.
Anne, if you can... dumpster diving at a construction site can yield useful materials. I pulled good materials from a dumpster which was placed at the curbside of a city street, so there was no trespassing issue.
TIP: learn “Sketchup” modeling & design software. It will help you A TON. You can virtually design i.e. desk and know up front if each piece will fit correctly before ever buying/wasting lumber. In addition, it will print out all the dimensions, plans, and many other features. A lot of people are not aware that it’s designed for woodworking (and MANY other areas) not just houses, etc.
Also, the great thing is it’s not too difficult to learn and use (unlike other programs that can be very challenging and frustrating). There’s A LOT of resources, community, and learning materials available (large amount for FREE).
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've had this thought in my head and to hear a professional say it out loud is very helpful.
I’m starting my wood working journey and I’m so glad I found this video!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Really like the video, lots of information. As with everything else, it's up to the builder to determine what works best. I really like that you encourage the conversation to bring differing experiences and points of view to the table. Keep up the good work and have a good one :D
Glad to see this explanation. 1/2" ply has been strong enough for me for nightstands and even a bar cabinet holding heavy bottles. One lesson though is that you need to be a little more careful with pocket hole jigs as 1/2" settings arent quite right and you can pop out the side if you drill all the way to the stop - an issue you dont have with 3/4"
Exactly what i wanted to know. Tips on 1/2 inch joinery using pocket hole jig. Or other methods.
Exactly what I wanted to know as well. I'm going to be building a pantry and want to use pocket holes. I'll be storing large amounts of flour as well so 1/2" just won't cut it. I made bookshelves out of 1/2" when I was a young person and that didn't work out well with heavy leather books.
@@annyeongdreamz24 I've been using basic #8x3/4 pan-head wood screws bought in bulk at a local hardware supplier instead of Kreg pocket screws. I like to use rabbited joints on intersections and drawer boxes so I get more grain contact. And I ALWAYS use glue. Remember, the majority of the joint strength comes from the glue. Watch this test on different types of joints - ua-cam.com/video/CE147Ow7RmM/v-deo.html
figured that out a few times. haha
Pocket holes suck for just about everything. They are a crutch for people who don't know real carpentry. Carpentry got along for centuries without them and most of the stuff being made with them won't last more than a decade.
As a newish woodworker, this was an eye opener! Thanks!
I’m newer to carpentry, and found this information to be great. Been using 3/4” for dang near everything without giving 1/2” a thought. Thank you
I’m happy to see this and hear your opinions. I’m starting a building out in my pickup and shell top for camping and have been torn between using 3/4 like most people I’ve seen doing it or using 1/2 . With proper bracing sure looks like 1/2 inch will work just fine. Thanks!
Look into small boat building techniques Tack and Tape, And Stitch and Glue. You can use 1/4"!
Also, PMF, poor man's fiberglass...
I was saying this 35 years ago when most cabinets were built with 3/4 inch in millwork shops.
I already build a big ass cabinet for a kitchen, all of ¾ plywood. Six ft tall and 3 ft wide and 14 inch deep. When I ended the assembly, shit got damn heavy and strong. I didn't expect that, but hell, if you kick that thing, you're gonna break your leg. Also, it makes me so proud and happy everytime I see it.
Im glad to hear this info. Ive been putting off a project until I could buy 3/4". With 1/2" in house, Im good to go forward. Thanks for the boost!
Thanks for this video, something I never thought about. In class we just use 3/4" sheet goods and as a hobbyist I just assumed it was what you did and never gave 1/2" a thought.
Very useful tip!! I would probably add that plywood does not have the same stiffness in both directions. it is a good practice to align the outermost layers' grain direction with the span if the length allows it.
I learned about 1/2 being strong enough from John Heisz videos.
That’s a very good point, Alipasha!
Let us all appreciate that this 5 minute video was not stretched to 10 for the ads. Excellent video, thanks.
In my home woodworking shop I've gone completely to 1/2" ply unless I absolutely have to use 3/4". I mostly use Baltic birch 1/2" ply for shop furniture and small to medium projects. It comes in 5'x5' sheets and costs about the same per square foot as regular birch ply but it's birch all the way through and the surface veneers are the same thickness as the internal layers and there is almost never a void in it. Standard hardwood veneered plywoods have paper thin outer veneers that can be sanded through easily. I built a drill press stand with 4 drawers from 1/2" Baltic birch except for the top of the stand which was 3/4" because the "benchhtop" drill press weighs about 120 pounds. It's plenty strong in well designed pieces.
I’m trying to clear space to be able to make my first French cleat wall and wondered if it would make sense to use 3/4” for the cleats and 1/2” for the containers? I’d be doing it partly to save some money, but like Ethan said, stuff in 1/2” looks more elegant. If built right, 1/2” should be plenty strong for the containers, right?
This is blowing my mind. 🤯 Thanks for sharing this!
well, you've convinced me, i'm going to implement this idea on my next project. thanks for the tip
I switched like this by accident about 2 years ago and thought I'd try it and it worked out. Where I really needed the strength I doubled the material to total 1 inch over that small area still keeping my total cost way down. I'm already planning my next project with 1/2 " plywood.
I’ve used a single sheet of 3’x8’ 1/2” oriented strand board (osb) on my work bench for over 15 years and it has worked great.
This is so timely. I am about to build a 6' wide floor to ceiling storage cabinet in our laundry room. Thanks for the assurance that 1/2" is going to be fine!
I can't help it, I want to overbuild. My night stand should be able to support the weight of a car. I want my stuff to last as long as ancient Roman roads and bridges. Maybe I should switch to 4" stones instead of wood...
You notice you don’t find antiques woodwork cabinetry or furniture made out of 1/2” materials! Majority of furniture/cabinetry made today won’t ever last long enough to be considered a antique in the future!
@@ghostridergale Some of the finest antique furniture in the world is made out of incredibly intricate and small pieces of wood.
@@thopkins2271 yeah, like hickory. Don't see too many antiques rocking pine half inch plyboard... Unless it's all bent up.
@@PhilPic01 That’s the kicker.
@@thopkins2271 yes and because they were expensive from the get go, people treated them better because of it.
your the first woodworker we watch that explains the importance of 1/2.as a newbie we always consider the price of wood. now we can make projects less expensive.
This literally came up the day after I ordered a load of OSB boards to create shelves in my roof trusses. I’m in the UK so had the options of 18mm or 11mm which I’m guessing are comparable. I was brave and went for the 11mm. Started working with it last night after watching this video. So much easier to work and it’s definitely strong enough. Thanks for putting my mind at ease- I made the right choice!
Loved that you mentioned a project for the Navratri festival. Really love you being inclusive without making a big deal about it.
Jaya Ma!
Love your videos and the content! Question: why size and type of screws do you use when working with 1/2” ply?
I've been using 1/2 inch on all my projects. Never had a problem with strength . Much more versatile than 3/4. Nice video. Totally agree.
New Subscriber :-)
Just found this channel and i love your attitude. Having said that, I hate carpentry, but I have made it my mission to become competent working with wood. I spent a career engineering and building things out of sheet steel, aluminum, and cast iron. sure, I have done the odd carpentry repairs and fix-its any homeowner has attempted, but they all have looked so "Oh, how Nice. Did you do that yourself?" It is my goal to level-up my skills. I think this channel is where I need to start.
The few videos of yours that I have seen focus on safety and choosing the right materials and tools. Those subjects have always been core to me. I look forward to your future videos and to looking through your past content.
I used 1/2 inch plywood for a 55 gallon aquarium stand. Everyone around here said it could not hold the over 500 pounds, but I used two narrow shelves on each side 1 foot wide and the center was set up for a sump tank. 1/2 inch is amazing strong as you stated.
Most definitely my friend. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 😊🌎✨
I usually split the difference and go to 5/8" sheet for cabinetry. Even then, Uday Vadula, there is little to no room for error on pocket screws. I also find that the 1/2" is often warped; whereas the 5/8 is flat as can be. I will reconsider some projects for 1/2, but I need to be convinced by working out the bugs and considering the downsides as well as the upsides.
Great video, I used to use 3/4 but learned to use 1/2 inch its much easier to manuver around shop and once you build product youll have plenty of scraps to reinforce if needed, also you can frame projects with 2 by 2 and use half inch will be lighter
Timely video for me. I made a bathroom vanity using 3/4" maple plywood, but I did use 1/2" maple plywood for the drawers. I went to Menards to buy Kreg pocket screws for 1/2" material and a Menard's department head ask if I found what I wanted and asked about my project. I said I was making vanity drawers from 1/2" maple plywood and he said I should make them from 3/4". He is an older gentleman (my age maybe). I said I usually use 1/2" for drawers and love the results. But after seeing this video, I plan to look into the 1/2" plywood for the next vanity I need to build for a 2nd bathroom. Thanks for this nice video.
I’m guilty of over-building, too, (I come from the “build it to last forever, make it indestructible“ people), and sometimes when those things need to be moved around, I definitely regret the extra weight, especially when it’s not on a smooth surface, but a rugged, uneven surface, and the cardboard trick can’t be implemented as well... Although I guess it could still be used a little bit, come to think of it… I had some new builds in mind, so thanks for the reminder, it’s time to downsize the thickness for smaller projects...
You’re welcome, Miss Kim! After years of lugging around 3/4”, it won’t even feel like work when you build with 1/2” 🙂
There's a saying in engineering. Anyone can build a bridge that'll stand. But it takes an engineer to build a bridge that will barely stand. I think the 1/2" plywood builds fall into that same category. I, too, recently found out (just because of the cost) that 1/2" plywood is pretty damn strong and useful. And if worse comes worse, you can glue it up and get a 1" material (well, 1/16th short of 1")
Well said.
Miss Kim - what's the cardboard trick, plz?
@@bethanyanderson1745 Oh, things slide along cardboard more easily, so if you have carpet, or even on hardwood or stone, you can put cardboard under the legs, even bring it up around the legs and tape it on if you need to, and the furniture/heavy thing usually slides more easily, or if you have a big enough sheet of it, you can tug the sheet of cardboard itself, and if I were outside on a sort of rocky/uneven surface, I would put a few layers down and slide things along, some to cover the ground, some under the feet of the object itself. They sell those plastic “magic sliders” to go under the feet of furniture but cardboard is usually enough.
Sometimes I also “walk” the item, tipping and twisting it from leg to leg or side to side as I go along, or flipping it end over end, protecting the object itself of course. with an uneven surface, you just want a way to make it more even so things don’t stick and get stuck and be hard to move, so cardboard or a sheet of wood or a combination of both can help get things past rough ground.
I do a lot of work alone, so you have to get creative sometimes when moving heavy things, and think in terms of evening out the rough or uneven surfaces, making them smooth and slippery, without slipping yourself of course, and in terms of leverage. I don’t know how many kids still use a seesaw or a teeter totter, depending on what part of the country you’re from, but it’s a good way for them to learn how to lift heavy things more easily.
Then of course another method on smooth surfaces is a few round wooden rods, like closet rod. If you can get the item up under the rod and get another one under the other end, and have a couple more, you can create “rollers“. Then as you move the item forward, you take the back one and put it towards the front so it has something to move onto, and you just keep rolling it forward along the rods, they become “wheels”. If it’s not super heavy, PVC pipe works as well. If it’s a fairly straight line you are going in, this method works pretty well.
Then of course there are the “forearm forklifts”, and they work pretty well, managed to make use of them on my own, they are designed for two people to use together. Just always bend and lift at the knees, and your L4/L5 well thank you, that’s the part of the spine that goes first when people abuse their backs and lift improperly.
There’s a reason why at the gym, weight lifters do a loud “whoo-uff!” kind iof grunt when they exhale just as they lift something heavy. They’re exhaling forcefully, and it’s tightening all the muscles around their spine to protect it, they’re not just doing it to sound cool (well, maybe some of them are doing it just to sound cool and they don’t even though they’re protecting their back).
You just don’t want to continue to hold your breath, though. You want to hold all those muscles where they are when you make that sound, you want to keep your abs tight, because that helps protect your back, but you don’t want to hold your breath, and that can take people some practice to hold their abs tight but not hold their breath, but eventually they can keep them as separate actions. Holding your breath under exertion can cause a stroke and other damage to your cardiovascular system.
You don’t want to deprive your body of oxygen when it’s doing heavy lifting...Especially when you’re lifting overhead, it’s a huge no-no to hold your breath, and a lot of people do it. They can pass out and drop that heavy thing on their head, or on their body as they hit the ground, or give themselves a stroke or heart attack in the process as well. So, hold your abs and glutes tight, and keep on breathing. That protects your back, but if you can’t do both, then just breathe, because breathing is always more important. Always.
Extra into, I know, but it seems to go with the whole thing.
So, good advice. Would you do a follow up video on any changes in joinery technique that you use to help the 1/2 inch plywood out. Things like pocket hole changes, loose tenon, the use of screws and glue etc. Do you ever combine 1/2 inch plywood with MDF or particle board/Melamine? I would think that once out of the 3/4 rut, the possibilities are much greater. However with that complexity comes increased design considerations. Thanks and Stay Safe.
Excellent video as always! Thank you sir. I am going to rebuilding my closet soon, and will user 1/2" ply...never considered it prior to watching this video.
For the non-us viewers: 3/4 inch plywood typically weighs 25 kg and 1/2 inch plywood weighs 15.9 kg. Great video!
Thank you for the voice of sanity.
3/8" inch ply is very handy too. It all depends on what reinforcements you use and where they're placed. I once built a floor-to-ceiling storage in a corner. I used 3/8 for the vertical parts because the shelves true out the wood and the load vertically wasn't affected at all.
And no strength will be the result. You get what you pay for.
@@dlvmil-spec Depends on the application. If it's not load baring, it won't make sense.
Switch about 15 years ago. Had a project in a small area. Looked great and the project just worked. Like you, now, I use what makes since for the project. More often than not, !/2"
I have to admit that I never thought of using 1/2" plywood over 3/4' until now but I will the next time. Thanks for this tutorial.
Thanks for another great video, I fully support using 1/2" ply over 3/4", together with your advice to use face frames, centre supports on spans longer than 24" and cleats, makes the whole project easier including measuring, and no doubt on cost saving. I must also commend you on your pronunciation of Navrathri, awesome! Stay safe and well.
Thank you for watching, Sundra! I’ve had many great clients over the years who celebrate Navrathri 😄
@@pachinkotronkfollo1075 I like using maranti, better than using pine because it is easier to finish, although you can use pine if you want to paint it.
I opted for 3/4" for kitchen cabinets because it was only $8 more a sheet than the 1/2" and I could more easily use pocket holes
Use the proper depth setting on your Keeg jig for 1/2 applications. $8 adds up quick, and the price of lumber will not coming down anytime soon.
@MrSheeDo
Thank you for chiming in! I’m a girl with no building experience, relying on YT and the guys at my local hardware store for guidance. I’m going to be making a
26” d x 60” w butt joint, double deck (open to the front-no drawers) desk held together with glue and pocket screws. Maybe also brads (although the gun is a bit intimidating). The desk top will be standing on iron hairpin legs. I think I want 3/4” plywood. Also, I like the look of the striated edge, and 1/2” ply wouldn’t give me enough edge. I’m eager to try my hand at using a pocket jig.
@@meridelmoss1802 if, and I express "if" you can find Baltic birch, go for that. But it's hard to find, but if you're looking for that edge you like Baltic birch sheets will provide that
Meriden, be very careful about getting advice from people at homedepot.
@@patrickkimberlin3209
Thank you for the recommendation. I think Baltic is very pretty. If in short supply, I’ll wait. Better to hang out at the kitchen counter than rush and end up with unlovely results.
Thank you so much of this video and your wonderful channel! As an avid DIYer on an exceedingly tight budget, it's videos like this that empower me to take on tasks I think about day after day but keep putting off.
You’re welcome, Zombalia! Work safe 🙂
Good to hear a timely alternative to expensive 3/4” ply
5/8" (15mm) Baltic birch is where it's at.
Yep, 5/8 for the win.
@@larryroyovitz7829 Just checked Lowe's, 5/8 CDX is $80 bucks. I'm seriously considering ordering a container of CDX from China!
@@quiteactually wow
I was just gonna say the same thing! And it hasn't increased in price at all since last year - bonus!
You haven't lived until you've tried 11/16" Amboyna Burl from the Andaman Islands
We built our entire bus interior out of 12mm plywood which is very similar in size to 1/2” with 42x19mm timber for framing. Worked great and saved us heaps of weight. Only issue is that the widely used euro style hinges in cabinets are too big so we had to use different style hinges.
Hi John,
We’re building out a van and using 1/2” ply for our cabinet doors. What hinges did you end up going with? We just realized you have to drill a 1/2” hole to install cabinet door hinges and are not quite sure how to proceed.
Good things,
Nat
Love this guys videos. Very genuine and honest advice...the name says it all!
The number one concern with any plywood is "How many plies?" Both five eights and three quarters are five ply in my experience. Half inch is often three ply which is very unstable and not nearly as strong. The grade also matters as the cruder grades for roof decking and such have lots of voids in the center plies.If you are talking "cabinet grade" five ply stain grade then yes, it will be strong and stable. Half inch CDX not so much. Even Pine BC grade can be questionable. Just something to think about.
That can depend a lot on where you buy it. For just a couple dollars more per sheet, my local lumber yard has 1/2" and 5/8" that are 5 plies, and 3/4" that has 7 plies! That stuff is strong and stable.
I’ve used a lot of 3-ply 1/2” plywood. It works ok, but takes a lot more effort. By comparison, 5-ply birch 1/2” is a luxury.
I just had a washing machine flood a cabinet I built 12 years ago. It filled 6 drawers with water. I was surprised that the drawers stayed together, and wet water-tight. Just cheap 1/2” 3-ply. But I recall hating the splinters the rough pine plywood was producing.
Oddly, I can afford better, but grew up scavenging whatever I could.
@@hjeffwallace Yeah, for sure. I'm definitely guilty of dumpster diving for lumber scraps all the time. I'm not even talking about fancy birch, though. Just the normal SYP plywood at my local lumber yard has 1 or 2 more plies for the same thickness as the Lowes crap.
Is there a downside to gluing 2 sheets of 1/4" to get a higher ply count than "regular" 1/2"? It should be about the same $, but 2x the plys.
Yes, I'm cheap. Yes, "regular" ply is a lot easier to just go get at the big-box toy store.
@@brucebennett7229 Should be fine if you you glue up properly. I'd only worry about delamination if you're using veneered plywood from the box stores. Those thin veneers often delaminate on their own, and you'd be doubling your risk with a face glue up
Kreg also makes a pocket hole jig for 1/2" plywood, great for making drawers.
Kreg Jig isn't great for anything
Good stuff, thanks for the perspective. You pretty much described my M.O. with always using the 3/4 as a go to. Going to start looking hard at the 1/ ply now. Thanks!
Great video. What you say just makes sense in so many ways.
Thanks for this video, Ethan. I hope it finally convinces my wife (who is also a woodworker) that half-inch plywood is just fine for most of her projects. I’ve been trying to convince her for over a year. 😉
Never too late to make the change, J.D. 😆
When you do followup videos where you use 1/2" material, I'd love to see more about how you manage the joinery, including situations where thicker material is warranted. For example, when is 1/2" material appropriate for pocket screw joinery; attaching cleats, runners, or slides to the face the material; dados for partitioning a cabinet or box, etc.
You mean pocket screw "joinery"?
Yeah, I would be concerned with rabbets, dados for shelving, and half-lap joints. I think glue will help, but I think you would at least need 3/4 material for the uprights of a tall cabinet. But I have used 1/2" ply for simple square boxes with box joints on the corners and those have been extremely sturdy.
@@neonedge9 ...
I thought the video would go into reinforcement techniques when using the 1/2" ply at its limits, as opposed to just information that the 3/4" is just overkill in most applications.
I've done 36" tall cabinets with 1/2" but the walls were weak so instead of mdf backing, i used another piece of 1/2 ply for the back and pocket joined to the carcass to keep rigidity
I just made a bunch of 30”x30” using 5/8” plywood instead of 3/4 or 1/2 inch. Since they are used in my wood shop, I didn’t require hardwood veneers, and to increase utility, each 30x30 has a 30x12 cubby with no doors. I got BCX plywood and made sure the exposed walls were B grade. So happy with my cabinets and even more happy with the open cubbies!
You're an artist, beautiful work!
The drawers for all my kitchen cabinets I made with 1/2" Baltic Birch ply. When you use a much better plywood than you find in the usual stores it works much better in every way.
No voids, no knots, much tighter.
I was in Home Depot today. There were 3 people that fainted in the
lumber supply department. The wood prices are really jacked up.
Sure it was the prices? Or did someone finally find a straight piece of something? lmfao. I'm sure I'd faint if I found anything at hd that resembled straight.
I agree with your analysis. Lot of people over build using stock materials wasting the material itself if they just sit and think about the direction of load x y and z it's easy to use the right materials putting up some good videos appreciate the effort
thanks for the vid, this gives me confidence in using 1/2 as a beginner diyer
I've been looking into building a french cleat system in my shop and watching lots of videos about that to get ideas. I'm inclined to use 3/4 for the cleats themselves, but I've been surprised at how many people use 3/4 for all of the little bins and fixtures they mount on their cleat wall. It's definitely not needed for strength and it wastes space on the wall because all the fixtures are bigger than they need to be. Thanks for confirming my suspicions.
This is a very good point, Earl. I like 3/4” for the cleat (have used it before on this channel and will use it again), but building small fixtures with 3/4” is just cumbersome. 1/2” looks much more appropriate for small storage.
@@TheHonestCarpenter I have always used 1X pine or fir for French cleats. It cuts smoother than plywood and doesn't"t chip out: there are no voids. Plus it's just as strong (or stronger) than an engineered product like plywood. The cleats are never seen, so dimensional lumber works for me.
I won't confirm, since I am (an eternal) beginner. But looking at the many woodworking videos I see on YT , this french cleat business seems to me often overkill : making holes in wall, all this wood used for taking care of stuff which could safely stay in a jam-jar easily, (think to the planet, my god!), and who wants to move one's tools from one place to the other all the time... My two cents. (And I am French ! :))
@@etiloyon3681, I agree that it is easy to go overboard with shop fixtures and furnishings, but as another eternal beginner, I consider making them practice for my "real" projects, and therefore time well spent. Also, about 20 years ago I moved into a new house and soon put up large peg-board sheets on one wall of my garage shop to store all my tools. Over the years as I got new tools, I had to spend time reorganizing as I got new tools that I wanted to keep near related ones. French cleats would have made that much easier. Finally, about two years ago I moved to a new house. If I had made a french cleat wall 20 years ago, it would have been easier to quickly put new cleats up on a wall here, and then put up all my existing fixtures. But now I have to essentially start over with organizing my new shop.
@@earlmorton1216 Ah, yes, it's true. Many people buy tool for building gears for putting tool. And they use a lot of composite wood like platted wood, MDF, and so forth. Here in France I just bought a board of chestnut board (2.5m x 0.20m x 0.02m and I understand them. €10 = $12 ! !Woodworking is turning into trendy hobby. Maybe I am wrong after all . The fact is I don't like to make holes in my walls and you have to admit French cleats don't help at this level. Good luck for your projects and thanks for your kind time.
I agree that 1/2 plywood can be used in many situations around the shop and for smaller projects, but I'm not sure about cabinetry. Face frames are often sized based on the thickness of the upright and the requirements of the hinges. If you use thinner material for the carcass, you'll have to reduce the thickness of your face frames to match. This will affect the end result and the look of the project. Also, any joinery that uses rabbits (rebates) or dadoes (groves/housings) will be significantly weakened. Horizontal spans use 3/4 plywood for a good reason when the span is long enough that deflection is a concern.
Don't even try to use pocket screws with 1/2 plywood! The strength of pocket screw joinery relies heavily on the amount of material between the angled hole and the edge of the board. The thinner the board, the smaller this distance will be and you'll have to use shorter screws. Drilling 3/8" diameter holes in 1/2" plywood leaves about 1/16th" on each side. This would significantly reduce the strength of these joints. Again, it depends on what you're building but for an extra $10...
I'd also like to point out that, as a beginner, much of what you learn is based on standard dimensions and thicknesses. 3/4 for shelves, uprights, stretchers and nailers... 1/2 for drawer boxes... 1/4 for drawer bottoms and backing. 2" wide face frames when two carcasses meet. 1" (aka 3/4") hardwood for drawer fronts and face frames. Same goes for rails and styles of panel doors. If you use 1/2" plywood instead of 3/4", you'll get tripped up on some important dimensions unless you're really careful.
I'm sorry but I don't follow your logic that if we use thinner material for the carcass that causes us to use a reduced thickness of the face frame? There's no reason you can't make the carcass out of 1/2 and still use 3/4 face frames. Also, you need to define, significantly weakened. A dado in 3/4 is 3/8 deep. A dado in 1/2 is 1/4 deep. I don't buy that the 1/8 difference in depth of the dado is "significantly weaker" The dado in a carcass is supporting a cross member or back panel. That cross member isn't going to fall out of the dado or collapse. The back panel isn't going to break out of the frame either.
You've built your argument against 1/2" on unsupported conjecture.
@@jesseporter-qb2vc Sorry. I should have said 'width of the face frame' and not 'thickness'. 1/2" x 2 = 1" thick cabinet wall when two cabinets are attached side by side.... normally this is 3/4" x 2 = 1.5" which we then cover with a 2" wide frame that overhangs each edge 1/4" into the space of the cabinet. If you put a 2" wide frame over top of the joint where the two 1/2" walls meet, you'll have a 1/2" overhang on each side. Drawer slides and hinges are often made to fit a 1/4" overhang so 1/2" will need padding. Not the end of the world, I suppose, but something that needs to be considered.
You're probably right about the dadoes.
Okay this was good to know. I have projects coming up at my house and the 1/2 one will be plenty good. Thanks 👍
I LOVE your channel! Great points! Excellent explanations!! Thank you soooo much for all ur hard work!!!!
I agree with your assessment of 1/2" ply, but there are some cabiots to this thinking: not all 1/2" plywood is created equal, and some plywood is really unstable, which makes the lessor thickness a bigger liability so buyer beware! Just about anything I have bought at the big box store has warped severely if not sealed within the first couple of months.
2024 and sheet lumber costs are still out of control
Wise advice. Had not thought deeply about it although my go-to has always been the 1/2 inch, mostly out of frugality unless its stairs or floors.
I have noticed that many use thick plywood for just about everything. I have been using 1/2" material for a long time and had no issues with it. Sometimes I do use 3/4" material when necessary, but 1/2" had been my go to for years. And the small pieces are great for small projects, especially for shop projects I'm using myself. I even used 3/8" material for some projects.
I used to make everything with 1/2" - even desktops (although admittedly I wouldn't necessarily do that again). It's certainly strong enough for relatively small surfaces. I've also used it within dimensional lumber frames to create custom interior doors. I've even made custom closet doors entirely from 1/2" ply.
why wouldn't you use it again for desktops??, i want to build one for my computer set up and i was hopping to make it arround 4 inches thick and i am considering unsing 1/2" on top and botom sheet and 3/4 for all supports in between, should i consider changing the top sheet?
I think my problem with 1/2” as a carcass material is that it often will not accept hardware lengths.
I started using 1/2 inch plywood too. Thanks for the advise!
I converted my workshop to french cleat, both for tool holding compartment and also for some heavy storage, and I have been doing a lot of tests, especially on the heavy storage compartments, some done with 3/4 inch ply and other 1/2 inch ply, they both can support the same amount of weight, some shelves support over 200 pounds of storage...plus your right, cheaper and lighter and mostly easier to manipulate!
I’m not a Carpenter but and then ounce of common sense goes a long way. I was thinking this exact same thing a month ago with some projects that I have to do.
Two big reasons Im sticking with 3/4 for most of my cabinetry: pocket holes and dados. I agree that 1/2 is great for small bits of shelving, but those usually get made with scraps of 3/4 thats laying around the shop.
I agree!!
I've been trying 1/2 on large upper cabinets for the backs. Large being in the range of 44 high x 48 wide. I have found that pocket screws will do well going through the 1/2 into 3/4, so mixed thicknesses to do this. Check jig settings and screw lengths before going live though.
I'm using pocket holes on 1/2 right now.
I'm new to this and $49 looked like a deal.
I'm not going to regret this am I?
@@T1Oracle did you? or did it work? :)
Pocket holes work in 1/2 inch plywood. Not sure about hinges
Subscribed because of this video. Thanks for the perspective!
This is great! I was just about to start building some base cabinets for my mobile coffee shop. I'm trying to keep cost low, and thought 3/4' was standard for cabinetry. Thank you!
I built my entire pantry walls out of 1/2" ply b/c it's so freakin expensive to get 3/4". I actually was regretting it and having second thoughts on my way home until i finished the project, it's plenty strong and works great! No regrets here! Just comes down to application of course.