Need Project Ideas - Limited Supplys

**skyphix** · 09-26-2006, 03:40 PM

I've been asking a lot of questions lately, so instead of breaking the trend, I thought I'd ask more.

Recently I picked up a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 pine (Im fairly certain anyway, regular sanded construction grade) plywood to make some shelves. I've got the shelves all cut out, and now I have a considerable excess of wood.

Since its excess, wasn't expensive, and I have no other practical use for it, I figured it'd be some "learning" wood. I know that pine plywood isn't exactly the best stuff to do some quality working with, especially with hand tools, but hey... learning is learning.

Here's what I've got:

A 2ftx4ftx3/4" piece of pine plywood, and some small 6" strips.

A nice set of hand chisels
Japanese style rip and crosscut saws that work on plywood (Already tried it).
Some Titebond III glue, 4 clamps that dont go bigger than 12-16", a couple of saw horses and an old MDF desk top for a work bench, and a combination square.

Even if its just jointing practice and nothing practical, I'm happy with it!

Thanks for your help,
Eric

**maxwell_smart007** · 09-26-2006, 07:13 PM

The only problem I see is that the regular construction grade plywood is full of voids and knots and other nasties that make it very undesirable for fine work like you are suggesting...

How about making yourself some nice shop fixtures like a good sawhorse or something like that so you can be all set up when you have some better wood for practising with?

**skyphix** · 09-26-2006, 09:10 PM

I sort of thought that might be my best bet - use it for bench tops or sub tops or something along those lines. I have an article on using mitre joints to create a box. I know I don't have a mitre box but I figured I'd give it a shot free hand just by marking. I have some already dried and cured wood (old, straight, and not rotten) that I can use as practice, but figured I'd use up my plywood.

Guess it might work best as backing and clamping board. :)

Thanks,

**Sawduster** · 09-27-2006, 08:42 AM

The ply might be an excellent material for practicing and learning some hand tool joinery. Even though it is not the best material for that sort of stuff, practice is practice, and if that practice leads to even halfway good results, it would make working with solid stock easier.

**skyphix** · 09-27-2006, 09:32 AM

Thanks Jerry,
So long as I know its possible to joint plywood with hand tools, then its worth a shot...

I did find this over on woodnet... http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthr...v=#Post2622875
... which appears to be made with the same material I'm working with. I need always need a "stuff" holder for the garage and something like that (minus top) might be the ticket.

Thanks,
Eric