Plywood Furniture Research

Sizing and Ergonomics

• The importance of ergonomics and sizing is to make things the appropriate size and durability to complete the tasks it needs to. A chair must be correctly sized and sturdy enough to hold the average person.
• The biggest ergonomic factors involved in this project is the depth of the shelves, and the height of the finished project on a wall. The shelf must be deep enough to hold an average size book (minimum 10"). The height of each box varies so it will be able to hold different objects
• http://www.ehow.com/info_12151991_average-bookcase-depth.html

Joining and Structures

• To form the boxes for this project we will join the wood using either miter joints or butt joints. Each box will be laminated together by wood glue. 
• Another possible method of joining would be a miter lock joint. This would provide much more stability for the project but this process is difficult and time consuming.

http://www.ripsdiy.co.za/woodjoins.shtml

Process and Assembly

• One possible problem that may be encountered is having different sized pieces when they are suppose to be identical. To prevent this problem we will use stoppers so we are able to cut pieces precisely.

http://www.ehow.com/how_8073485_set-up-compound-saw.html

Case Studies

Plywood Shelves

Basic design, very practical.
Each level consists of two identical sides and a base. Each level decreases in size as it goes up.

Small box with drawer 

Attractive appearance & practical
Can be made by binding together multiple identical pieces of  plywood together and hollowing out the preferred areas for the shelves.

Rectangular Shelves

Simple, useful, and interesting.
Can be made by making multiple rectangles and binding them together.

20 Plywood Projects

Joint Research

Joint Research

    Box Joint

Description: Joint commonly used for creating box/ cube objects. Done by creating multiple notches along the meeting edges of pieces of wood.

 

Benefits: Provides a square corner and excellent hold.

 

Tooling required: Table saw, box joint jig (directions to this jig can be found here http://www.instructables.com/id/Box-finger-joint-jig/)

Instructions to this joint can be found here: http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/how-to-cut-a-box-joint.aspx

 

Mortise & Tenon Joint

Mortise (located on left) and tenon (right) joint.

 

 

Description: A mortise is an object with a precise shape cut into it. A tenon is an object with a piece sticking out of it that can fit in perfectly into the hole on the mortise.

 

Benefit: Very sturdy and is often used for framing, cabinetry, doors, and windows.

 

Tooling required: a square, knife and marking gauge, a fine-toothed saw, and a couple of sharp chisels and mallet.

 

Instructions: http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Main/Articles/Skill-Builder-Hand-Cut-Mortise-and-Tenons-6648.aspx

 

 

Tongue & Grove

 
 
 
 
 

Description: A groove is cut down the edge of a piece of wood and tongue is formed on another piece of wood to fit into the groove.

 

Benefit: Sturdy hold and good for stacking pieces of wood.

 

Tooling required: Router and bits

 

 

 

 

Instructions: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-cut-tongue-and-groove-joints/index.html