Safety Speed Cut Thermwood Corporation ECabinet Systems

Cabinetmaking

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Splicing plywood for stained countertops

11/30/16       
Matt M

Good day folks,

We're trying to lean-up our proces on making plywood countertops when they require a splice joint. I have two of them soon that are over 14' long, and occasionally have odd shapes that exceed what you can do with a 4X8 or 5X10.

These are almost always 38mm thick (1.5") so they do have a furrout strip underneath all edges and joints.

The main thing we're trying to do is to join the top 3/4" layers together flat and tight (glued) so that the clearcoat doesn't crack on the joint while we're carrying it in the house.

Pocket screws help, but are very frustrating as you tighten the joint, since even the low-angle Castle pocket holes tend to move the wood a little when the screws grab.

Anyone using Hoffman dovetails on the underside for countertops?

Any other suggestions? I don't like biscuits or dowels, since they offer no "pulling" ability. I cant easily clamp a 14' long countertop together and wait for glue.

11/30/16       #2: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Joe

Website: http://joescustomcabinets.com

Why not use draw bolts to clamp them up?
We join them with festool domino then machine a matching pair or mortises about 2" from the seam on opposing sides. I have a halvf dozen wood screw clamps that have domino's sticking out the ends. I shove the dominos clamps in and crank them down. Just make sure the depth of cut on the clamping mortise is about 80% through the thickness of the subtrate. As far as getting it to not break, add an appropriate size scab piece on the back and transport the top on edge.

11/30/16       #3: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
rich c.

It's easy to clamp 14'. Just get long enough pipe and/or couplings to make up 15' clamps. But the more basic thought is that stained plywood just doesn't seem like a long term solution for a countertop. Doesn't the veneer end to end match look off? But, yeah, use draw bolts like Joe said.

11/30/16       #4: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Leo G

Use an epoxy to join them instead of glue. That will keep the joint from cracking while you are moving them.

12/1/16       #5: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Hen Bob Member

I've been using a 1/4 spline in the seam, and yes a wide 8" or so piece underneath the seam as well. I just keep a router set up do the cut. Haven't had a top crack in a long time.

12/1/16       #6: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Matt M

Plywood makes a fantastic furniture grade countertop as long as you use good quality domestic A1 or B2.

Yes, the end-grain splice joint can be obvious if poorly done, and we avoid them when we can, but when the client wants a 14' long office built-in to have a matching countertop, you either splice plywood or find some 14' long veneer.

I had not thought about drawbolts, despite the fact that I've used them dozens of times on mitered post-form laminate tops. Thanks for the reminder.

12/1/16       #7: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Leo G

You could always resort to solid and not worry about it.

12/1/16       #8: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Adam

I would be inclined to spline them. Its way more accurate than biscuits and its actually strengthening the entire joint.

12/3/16       #9: Splicing plywood for stained counte ...
Gary

Matt

We ship lap the joint 2" we do that on our CNC and we glue it together we excel glue or structan we made solid wood tops this way as well. we made a 3/4 solid Wenge top 21 feet long and installed it on a third floor with no issues good luck


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Limtech Industries, Inc. Lamello