I'm currently working on a project where I need to create 100 oval sign frames using a CNC machine. I cut the frames out of regular hardwood plywood, but I've been struggling with the edges. They often require wood filler, sanding, and then painting, which feels tedious. I'm considering switching to birch plywood since it appears to have cleaner edges and fewer voids. Is it feasible to achieve a nice paint finish on birch plywood edges after some light sanding? Also, I'm thinking about using pine furniture board, but I'm worried about potential warping issues due to the size of the frames (80cm x 60cm, 18mm thick, 16mm wide).
3 Answers
I definitely wouldn't recommend pine board for this; it tends to warp. Birch plywood, on the other hand, paints pretty well, but you might still notice some ridges. Just a heads up, birch can be pricier compared to regular plywood in some areas. By the way, what wood filler are you using for those edges?
Keep in mind that all plywood will show its layers when painted, which means you might need to put some filler in and do some sanding. But have you thought about edge banding? I recently built some shop cabinets out of birch plywood and started using edge banding. It was such a game changer! The results look way better than just filling and sanding the edges. Plus, it's way faster! I found this YouTube tutorial really helpful ([check it out here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjsTEFmT9PA)).
Iron on edge banding could work well, especially for curves if you're doing indoor projects. Just make sure you're careful with the trimming, as it can be tricky without a flat edge to cut against. Have you thought about how you'll manage that?