Re: Laminants
DonW said:
Al,
Truely there is nothing more stable than plywood or mdf. You used the term laminant so I assume you have oak plywood from a home center. If its not 3/4 take it back. Edge banding veneer is a politicly correct way to build cabinets. I am not politicly correct. The veneers are way to thin and use the wrong glues (they bubble). Veneers have been used since 1800's and are very stable when done right. I use 1/2 interior grade plywood and resaw 1/8 veneers and apply with a vacuum press. If you have a failrly well equipt shop I would use solid with exposed endgrain ( to avoid cracking). If you want the ply top with banding use at lease 1 1/2 banding and make sure your table saw is very sharp and you cut with the exposed side down (chip out). I would hinge the top just to make life easier. You will find if constructed and finished properly it will not warp.
Don
Whooa there buddy, I realize you have access to that sort of equipment, but I don't.

I hear what you're saying and in the real world that I live in, I have a few hobbyist woodworking tools that I use casually. All are bench top grade.
Here is what frequently happens to me. I start off with an idea get carried away, become frustrated when I don't get the results I want, become disillusioned, get stuck in analysis paralysis and rarely get motivated to try again. I have a tendency to try and be a perfectionist which is bad because I hate to fail and you can't learn unless you do.
Now, I really enjoy working with wood but am not a professional. I know if I try the best I can do is maybe a couple notches above what I see in the stores. This is my expectation and I think I can meet that. I would love to do "fine furniture" grade works, but I have not the time to put into it. I want to, but don't think it would work at this point in my life.
I have 3/4 Oak ply and the banding you've suggested, I will use biscuits to attach the banding. The corners will be mitred. I am installing a new cabinet blade in the table saw tonight.
Thanks for all your help.
Al