Whats the best kind or type of plywood to build a wall shelf unit?
Question:It will be cut with a circular saw and then painted. I was concerned about splintering. It will only hold towels in the bathroom attatched to wall studs
Answers:
One other tip, cut with the good side down. This will help prevent splintering, painters tape is good also
If you are going to paint it, I would say pine, since it is about the cheapest.
The answer depends on how you want to finish it and how big the shelf is. For a narrow short, painted shelf, 5/8" or thicker birch plywood would do. Baltic birch has no voids so painting the edge looks better. If it were a big shelf you want to varnish or stain, oak or any other hardwood plywood 3/4" thick will work but you must to something with the edge such as banding or a thin piece of wood.
All plywoods will splinter a little when cutting.To cut down on splintering place masking tape over your cut first to prevent tearout.Tape is on the top as the bottom should be fine.Douglas fir plywood is great at 3/4' thick,or you could consider using 5/8' or 3/4" melamine as well which paints up better.
Use 3/4 inch AC plywood (no sense spending more if you are going to paint it) When you cut with a circular saw cut with the good side (A) down
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