Simple job

[dm65]

Hi all

I need to make some 5' by 3' panels from some 2' by 1' ply offcuts I got recently - will be used for a little storage hut

Initial thoughts are just to edge one side, trim to size as these are not quite uniform, edge that cut and then I was going to tongue and groove

I was just going to use biscuits, but this is going outside so t&g would give some penetration protection or am I just over thinking this ??

Anyone got any thoughts ?

T&G should be simple on a router table, right ?

Just a matter of rebating one half of the tongue, flip over and do the other half then a slot cutter for the groove ?

 

[doctor Bob]

is it exterior grade?

 

[dm65]

is it exterior grade?

No, going to paint it with something, doesn't really matter what as its not going to be too visibile

 

[rafezetter]

I guess it's up to you - T&G will give a stronger joint, and reduce any board separation / cupping / twist etc issues. The main thing you really want to pay attention to is the adhesive & protection coats, as even the best T&G will fail with the wrong glue and poor weather resistance.

A good resin or poly based glue; "weather resistant" at the very least, then a thinned penetrating soak coat of oil based finish first, I usually do 30% thinned so it gets right into the fibres, be generous with it and really oversoak the wood, (but clean up any runs or drips) then at least another full strength - more if you can, the thicker the coating, the longer it will last.

 

[Chrispy]

As Bob says if it is not exterior plywood it will be a short life span project, you will also need to have vertical joints to make up the sizes needed, so as thought could you use the pieces you have as shingles and nail them on to your frame over lapping tile like? It may be a lot less work and a lot more weather proof.

 

[dm65]

Thanks for all the replies

Decided (but won't get done for a little while now due to commitments) to t&g for strength as suggested and a couple of coats of fence type preservative - may get wrapped in roof felt at some point

Does anyone know if glue (nice gorilla glue, exterior use as well as interior) will work ok with the preservative ?