Jointing Plywood: from
WoodCentral
"Sometimes I would like a clean, 90-degree, straight edge on my three-quarter plywood. Are there any rules for jointing plywood? Will it harm my jointer? Reason I ask is that I don't believe I have ever seen Norm joint plywood. As always, TIA." - Terry
For the acronym challenged, TIA is online shorthand for Thanks in advance. - Editor
"It's not a great idea for two reasons. Your edge is usually 50 percent end grain which will tear out badly, and the laminating glue is abrasive and will dull HS [high-speed] steel knives rather quickly. If I had a carbide Shellix head, I might try it. Otherwise, put a bit of time into tuning your table saw to a dead nuts 90 degree cut. You can also set up a router and a guide fence and get a good cut with a good sharp half-inch or bigger carbide bit. Just take small bites at each pass." - Mark
OK, the first response was negative, but he was clearly bucking a trend. Several others wrote in to endorse the process. - Editor
"I do it, especially when working with Baltic birch, with no apparently worse wear on the jointer than yellow pine. Best way to get a clean, smooth, square edge. No tearout, either." - Clint
"I agree with Clint about jointing plywood, if it is all wood and not a sandwich of particle board or Masonite® which will dull your jointer knives quickly." - Fred
"I've done it as needed: taken small amounts just to clean up an edge or dial into a certain width. No problems or tearout. Try it. I doubt you'll damage anything. Got a kick out of your Norm comment." - Mamc
Quien es Mas Macho?: from
WoodCentral
"Which method is stronger to attach face frames to cabinets: pocket screws or biscuits?" - Lee
"I would go with pocket screws." - Paul
"Biscuits, in addition to the glue bond, have a mechanical bond that pocket screws don't. Even though they are screwed together, they can come loose. But on the other hand, you can disassemble a pocket screw joint. That's not easy to do with biscuits without damage to the wood." - Fred
"I would tend to agree with you, if only because you don't have the variability of the screw driving." - Glenn