This video was created by Jeff from Today’s Craftsmen. It’s a helpful guide to understanding plywood and other sheet goods—what to use, when to use it, and why it matters for your build.
Whether you’re building cabinets, shelving, or custom furniture, the right choice of sheet goods can make or break the final result. Jeff walks through the most common materials used in his shop, sharing real-world tips based on durability, cost, and finish quality.
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Why Sheet Goods Matter
Choosing the right plywood or panel material can affect everything from project longevity to ease of assembly. Jeff highlights that there’s no one-size-fits-all choice—each material has strengths, and the best option depends on how and where it will be used.
Structural strength, surface finish, stability, and cost are the key factors he weighs in each case. Understanding these differences saves time, reduces waste, and helps produce a cleaner final product.
Maple Veneer Plywood
Maple veneer plywood is a go-to option in Jeff’s shop for both cabinet boxes and panels. It’s available in common thicknesses like ¾” and ½”, often with a pre-applied UV-cured finish.
The two-sided pre-finished version is especially helpful because you don’t need to worry about which side faces out—it looks good either way. This makes layout and cutting easier, while also saving time during assembly.
¾” panels are typically used for structural elements like cabinet carcasses, while ½” panels work well for back panels or drawer bottoms. The strength and appearance of maple veneer plywood make it one of the most versatile options in any woodworker’s material stack.
Veneer Core Plywood
When working on furniture or cabinetry that needs a more economical or stable alternative to solid wood, veneer core plywood is another solid pick. Jeff shows walnut and oak-faced versions, but the structure underneath is what counts—multiple thin layers of solid wood glued together for strength and reduced warping.
This type of plywood is often used for larger cabinet panels or door components. It offers a good balance of strength and cost while keeping wood movement under control.
Because veneer core holds fasteners well and remains relatively lightweight, it’s especially useful when handling bigger panels in a solo shop setup.
MDF Core Plywood
MDF core plywood features a dense interior layer of medium-density fiberboard, topped with a hardwood veneer. It’s heavier than standard plywood but provides a very flat, smooth surface—ideal for painted finishes.
While MDF doesn’t hold screws quite as well as plywood, its smoothness makes it a favorite for any part of a project that will be painted or laminated. Jeff notes that MDF core is best for drawer fronts, panels, or furniture that prioritizes surface quality over structural strength.
This option also reduces the need for excessive sanding and finishing work, which can speed up production on paint-grade projects.
Pluma Ply and HDF
For even smoother paint finishes, Jeff turns to pluma ply—a veneer core material with a high-density fiberboard (HDF) face. This combination gives you both the stability of plywood and the paint-ready surface of fiberboard.
HDF on its own is also mentioned as a finish-friendly option. It’s similar to MDF but made with different resins for better durability and performance. It’s ideal for shop furniture, shelving, or any piece that gets painted but still needs a bit more toughness than standard MDF.
Melamine for Budget Builds
Melamine offers a pre-finished surface and is often the most budget-friendly option available. It’s made with a particle board core and a resin-infused paper face, giving it a smooth appearance straight from the store.
Jeff recommends melamine for cabinetry or shelving where cost and speed are key. It doesn’t require additional finishing, and the variety of colors and wood grain patterns available makes it easy to match your space.
Just be aware that melamine’s edges tend to look unfinished—edge banding becomes an essential final step to achieve a clean look.
Finishing with Edge Banding
No matter which sheet good you use, finishing the edges properly makes a big difference. Jeff demonstrates how edge banding helps cover exposed cores, especially on plywood, MDF, or melamine.
Using a modern edge bander can turn what used to be a time-consuming step into a quick, repeatable process. The result is a seamless, professional edge that protects the panel and enhances the final appearance.
Edge banding is especially important for melamine or fiberboard products, where raw edges can chip or absorb moisture over time.
Summary and Recommendations
Jeff wraps up the video by emphasizing the importance of choosing the right sheet good based on the final use of your project. For structural strength and looks, pre-finished maple veneer plywood is hard to beat. For cost-conscious builds, melamine or MDF core options provide strong alternatives.
If you’re going for a painted finish, pluma ply or HDF gives you a smooth surface with less prep. And when edge banding is done right, all these materials can deliver clean, durable, and professional-looking results.
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