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Plywood Framing
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 3:35 amby molethai
I am new to the board, and so far it has been enlightening & entertaining.
I apologize if I missed this info in my scouring, But...
Has anyone looked into and/or tryed using plywood for framing?
It seems people use laminate lay-ups or metal for framing. I am particulary interested in the main curved pieces on the top of the sides. I hope my description makes sense. To my thinking it would be a lot easier to cut 3/4 ply than lay-up strips. I realize that you still need vertical supports, solid pieces would be best, I think.
as an aside, what is luan? I am guessing thin plywood.
I am hoping to begin building as soon as it thaws, in about 2 months I think.
Thanks. Mole
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:57 amby Ira
Yep, Mole--you missed it:
A lot of people DO use ply for the framing, but most especially at the top, like you're talkiing about, for those curves. For straight verticals, it's just easier for a lot of us to use 1 by 2s.
And yep--luan is just real thin stuff that bends nice.
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 7:47 amby molethai
Thanks Ira.
I will continue to look for info/plans/discussions
Mole
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:14 amby SteveH
Unless I totally missed the boat on this one, Luan is a type of Mahogany wood and is used making plywood.
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:35 amby madjack
Steve, at one time all Luan was mahogany. Now it is used to refer to any number of generic hardwood plys from 3rd world sources(ie Phillipine "mahogany")
madjack
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:13 amby SteveH
Jack,
I just
had to check it out...copied from Capital City Lumber web site:
Luan Plywood: A cheap grade of Mahogany plywood available in 1/8" and ΒΌ" 4x8 pieces. Perfect for Cabinet backing, or any utility purpose.
So, now we all know...at least what Capital City calls it.
Re: Plywood Framing
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:20 amby mikeschn
molethai wrote:Has anyone looked into and/or tryed using plywood for framing?
Mole
I've started a plywood framed Widget...
The first thing I noticed is that it's very heavy.
Also since it's 1/32" smaller than the 3/4" insulation that I want to fit in there, I'm afraid I won't get a good bond between the framing and the skin.
That's about all I have to offer at this point in time...
Mike...
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:49 amby Chris C
Mike,
THAT's the picture I wanted to show him. l think that is the better solution. No joints to have to try and match perfectly. As far as the plywood being thinner, I just plan to use a more efficient insulation, (in my opinion) the foil and bubble material. It's not rigid and shouldn't pose a problem with the difference in plywood thickness.
Posted:
Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:49 amby Nitetimes
That's the way I did mine. I used 3/4" ply and removed everything I didn't need. I thought it was going to be heavy but after I got it all cut out I found it wasn't bad at all. It also makes things go a lot quicker.
I also came to the conclusion that with a little more planning I could have cut it down more and eliminated a little weight. But my plans kept changing as I built it so I wanted to make sure I had a bit of a fudge factor for my mount points.
Posted:
Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:18 pmby molethai
Thanks Mike!!
That is not what I had in my head, but a much better Idea. Weight is not a great concern. Ease of build & cost is.
Thanks all for the clarification on Luan.
Mole
Posted:
Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:40 pmby vooodooou
hi all
mike what kind of joint did you use on the widget to glue th plywood together and what kind of glue ? Thanks
Re: Plywood Framing
Posted:
Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:20 pmby halfdome, Danny
mikeschn wrote:molethai wrote:Has anyone looked into and/or tryed using plywood for framing?
Mole
I've started a plywood framed Widget...
The first thing I noticed is that it's very heavy.
Also since it's 1/32" smaller than the 3/4" insulation that I want to fit in there, I'm afraid I won't get a good bond between the framing and the skin.
That's about all I have to offer at this point in time...
Mike...
Very nice looking frame Mike. 
If you want to regain that 1/32" you might look for regrind plam. Regrind is left over plastic laminate that the mfrs like Formica & Wilsonart regrind the good side of plam. Cabinet shops use it for backer sheets. It glues very well on both sides. 
On my tear the Popular lumber was 31/32" thick so I ran the pink foam down in my wide belt sander. That stuff melts easily as I would find almost pencil sized melted scraps at the end of a run. Danny
Posted:
Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:28 amby Classic Finn
Posted:
Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:55 pmby Jiminsav
Posted:
Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:53 amby SteveH
Jim,
I'll "fawn" over yours...whatever "fawn means, I don't know, but anyway, I really like the profile of your trailer, and the roofing material also.
Now, when are you gonna put fenders on it?
