I'm in the process of cutting plywood for the sides of my tool chest and want to make sure I dress the edges to be smooth and square. I'm considering whether a #5 jack plane would work well for this job or if I should look into using a low angle plane like the 62 1/2. Is there a better method or tool for achieving clean edges?
4 Answers
Have you thought about edge banding? You could glue a strip of wood to the plywood's edge and then plane that. Just search for 'edge banding' online to see how it’s done!
It really depends on how you're cutting the plywood. If you're using a circular saw, you'll probably get straight edges. For dressing the edges, a jointer plane would be ideal if they're long. A jack plane can work too, but getting a smooth finish with a plane might be tough because of the alternating grain in plywood. You might find sanding gives you a better finish.
Using sandpaper glued to a flat board is actually a solid idea. Hand planes can be a headache when working with plywood, so this could save you some effort in getting smooth edges.
If you've got a freshly sharpened No 5 or a 60½ plane, both can work wonders. Just be ready to touch up the blade often since plywood can dull it quickly. Remember to hold the plane at a slight angle for better results.
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely give sanding a go since I prefer a smooth edge.