Expert: Jamie Yocono - 5/14/2010

Question
I am thinking about purchasing a buffet made out of Poplar wood and Particle board.  Do you think it will be a good choice?  I know it's not a very heavy wood, but is it good enough for storage, etc. in our dining room, and good to work with (we have to put it together ourselves) We are senior citizens from Florida, and I want to make sure we do the right thing.
Thank you for your speedy answer

Answer
Sharon,

The piece you described that you're considering buying is probably not a good one, in my opinion. Although Poplar is considered a hardwood, it's not a significantly strong wood, Add that to the particle board combination, and I'd have to say that that is not going to be a piece that lasts.

So the question is - how hard are you going to be on this piece? Will it have heavy loads? Will there be grandkids that could possibly abuse it by slamming it's drawers or doors? Will it be a piece that you'll use every day, or will it mostly have stuff stored in it, and it won't be entered that often?

It's hard to give you a definitive answer, but Poplar and particle board is a combination that I would stay away from. Send me more details and I'll try to give you a better answer, but for know - know this probably isn't going to be a piece that lasts.

Good luck, write back if you have more questions after reading this.


Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com