Wood for platform building

[bogp40]

The random finger-joints and glueing, not to mention the quality of the pine on those would make them undesirable for a layout deck. Stick with the plywood.

[ARTHILL]

Unless the glue joints are spined or have biscuits in them, they will separate in time. Though separation is not for sure, it is a serious possibility and I do not see a reason to risk it.

[dstarr]

I've seen stuff like that.  It looks good.  But, I'd expect it to be more expensive than plywood, and be weaker across the grain.  Unless it were cheaper than plywood I don't see the point.

 

[jackn2mpu]

Was in a local Home Depot the other day and saw some wood product I've not seen before, at least not for sale. It's 2x6 foot 3/4 inch thick, made up of individual smaller width boards (looks like 4 inch wide) glued together into one sheet. Like what you'd see Norm Abram do on New Yankee Workshop when he needs a width board he can't buy commercially. Made me wonder: would this be any good for the top of a layout, especially a shelf-type affair? It would allow for relatively easy relocation in the case of a move, not to mention being easier to get home in the old family car.

I've built several layouts over the years, usually using 3/4 inch plywood for the top skin. I would have to wonder about the dimensional stability of this assemblage of smaller pieces versus a monolithic piece of plywood. Standard box-type construction for the support underneath.

And please, no digs about why am I not using open-grid construction. Been there, tried that, had little luck.