Thread: Laminated pine 600 x 2400 x 19mm

I have done a low line cabinet to 2400 long (i.e. biscuit joined my own) and I edged it with a square edge moulding to give it the appearance of 42mm deep.

I actually made 3 complete 'tops' so I could choose the best result for the top, next best for the shelf, and worst to be hidden under the drawers.

The top and shelf are supported by four upright boards (again faced with 42mm) and I have not experienced warping in almost 5 years..So it has 3 wide openings and three large drawers. If doing it again I would create 2 or 4 openings as they would cater for various AV equipment better.

When selecting my pine, I wanted it as clear as possible (and also didn't want to pay for Porta (I didn't even know it didn't come in 2400 at the time)) and so I spent about 2 hours selecting 8 planks. I reckon the timber yard thought I was mad, but it was well worth the time ..

if you get desperate, Trak Furniture (associated with the Minda Disability organisation), here in SA, make up solid timber panels to whatever size jointed with a lightening joint and at 60mm laminates....but it is a gamble being interstate....my work gets all the panels through them and have had tops up to 4metres long for crazy dining table tops...

with that said tho theres something quite nice about laminating up a panel from scratch however i wouldnt use two 290 planks, personaly, as it will cup to buggery.....90 or 70mm strips with alternating growth ring patterns would be the go (alternating meaning end grain looks like this jointed up....nunununununu..<<<poor example haha)

just my 2cents worth

You could go pine 290's with reasonably clear grain(rift or quarter sawn not flat sawn)a few small knots will be fine but I would not trust 19mm its just to thin(we dont call it crapiarta here for no reason)some 38 or 50mm will do the job, any wood panel this size must float and not be constrained from its seasonal movement.
To keep the price down it may be preferable to use edged ply board(not the builders grade crap), this will also fix any movement problems dont be scared to use it as a lot of high end furniture has ply in it for this very reason.


I used to buy 290/19 merch grade(lowest) by the 3m long pack, out of 50~60 lengths you may only get 3 or 4 that was clear enough to do a 290 glue up... and never at that length, clear 290 pine is getting harder to obtain, if you go down in size and glue some 240 or 200 it will be easier.

I always did cut the 290 up anyway

Thanks very much everyone for your advice and assistance - now I only have to decide what to do!

I am leaning towards veneered plywood for stability and cost - however I'm still mulling it over as I like the idea of a solid pine top!

I also have to live within my skill level which is why I was looking for pre-laminated panels rather than edge joining my own.

I'll go and check out some samples and costs tomorrow

Thanks again

buy an ikea kitchen bench top, it will be a bit thicker than 19mm around 30mm.