to as much as 3 in. They come in wallboard lengths up to 4 ft. wide. Compared with solid wood, the advantages of plywood lie in its near equaliza ь°п of strength properties along the length and width of the panel, its resistanc 0 checking and splitting, and its indisposition to change dimensions with change !n moisture eContent. These advantages result from alternating the direction о grain in successive plies. Since the strength of any wood along its grain is mucl greater than across the grain, equalization of strength properties is approximatec У the increase of strength in one direction counterbalanced bv a decrease in the °lfoer direction. . The greater the number of plies for a given thickness the more nearly equal will be the strength properties along and across the panel, and the greater the resistance to splitting. The use of an odd number of plies permits a balancing of stresses, whereas when an even number are used, each pair of plies at right angles tends to distort the other when changes in moisture content present an opportunity for warpage or cupping. In addition, the shrinkage of plywood constructed from five or more plies is less than that of threeply material and more nearly equal in directions parallel and perpendicular to the grain. There follow a few examples of relatively simple projects employing plywood to a maximum degree. In general, plywood material is not suitable for rabbeting, grooving or dadoing operations, with hand tools. With highspeed machine tools satisfactory jointing can be accomplished particularly where the depth of the cut completely severs one or more plies and stops before entering the next ply or crossband. Exposed edges can be bound as illustrated in Figure 2.10 or sanded smooth and camouflaged with Fig. 2.10. Nosing glued on for shaping. darker stain than used on the face of the material. If preferred, the edges may be painted with a suitably light undercoat and brushgrained with the face stain. Beverage Tray. A straight, sixglass beverage tray is a satisfying project to assemble from scrap lumber. Lumber List Thickness, Width, Length, Pieces in inches in inches in inches Description 2 И 5 6 Ends 2 Va S 24У2 Shelves The endpieces are filed and sanded round on one or both top edges, and j4ui. dadoes cut horizontally across the inner faces, 2 in. apart and 1 in. up from the bottoms. Oneinch dowels or other suitable handles are screwed in place from inside, as illustrated in Figure 2.11. In the upper shelf six holes with 3in. diameters are cut out 1 in. apart, starting 1У2 in. from the ends. The two plywood shelves can now be glued into their grooves and the tray finished as desired. The diameters of the holes in the upper shelves should of course conform to the size of the glassware on hand. Corner Lamp Table. Two pieces of plywood and a half dozen dowels when assembled as shown in Figure 2.12 will produce a modern comer lamp table of INDOOR FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION • 2.12.