Applying Nosing to Prefinished Plywood
The search for a satisfactory way to treat the seam where nosing meets plywood. May 10, 2005
Question
I have quite a few shelves to make which are 3/4 plywood with a 1 1/2 tall by 3/4 thick nosing applied to the front edge. I'm looking for a way to do this with pre-finished plywood. Naturally, the sticking point is how to treat the seam where the nosing meets the plywood. As the plywood is finished, there'll be no sanding after the nosing is applied. I've seen this done where there is a slight 'v' at the joint. I'd guess that if I chose this route, I'd need to edgeband the front edge of the plywood first. Any other methods?
Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
I put a paint-break (1/16" round over) on both the solid wood edge and the pre-finished ply. This way the variation of the plywood thickness doesn't stand out so much and it is easier to finish. I'm sure there are other ways, but this has been the norm in most of the high-end shops I work in.
To get a good looking shelf you need to pre-finish your nosing and cut to size. If the ends of the shelf will not be seen, dado the length of the shelf and the back of your nosing... If they will be seen, use a stop dado.
Install your facing material on the plywood, leaving approximately 1/16" overhang. Come back with a flush trim and V-groove bit and trim the excess. The bit also leaves an attractive groove at the seam. I bought my bit at Infinity Cutting Tools. It pays to buy good quality cutters.
We do this all the time in our shop (not with the pre-finished, though). The V-groove is a breeze, but be sure to use a sharp, quality bit.
The trick is to set the router bit to cut into 100% nosing material (i.e., never actually touch the plywood). The very top of the V-groove should come imperceptibly close to the plywood veneer. This way, the entirety of the V-groove is hardwood (plywood just looks goofy in stain-grade work when grooved on a 50/50 cut).
I'd use green tape and newspaper to cover the pre-finished part, stain, seal, and clearcoat the nosing, and done! All this taping may end up more hassle than it's worth and unfinished ply may start looking attractive, unless you just have a ton of prefin laying around.
Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?
Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base
KnowledgeBase: Cabinetmaking
KnowledgeBase: Cabinetmaking: Custom Cabinet Construction
KnowledgeBase: Cabinetmaking: General
KnowledgeBase: Finishing
KnowledgeBase: Finishing: General Wood Finishing
KnowledgeBase: Furniture
KnowledgeBase: Furniture: Custom Furniture
KnowledgeBase: Furniture: Furniture Design
KnowledgeBase: Furniture: General
KnowledgeBase: Lumber and Plywood
KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous
KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous: Woodworking
Would you like to add information to this article? ...
Click Here
If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.
Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.
When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.
Return to beginning of article.
|
