I didn't know this could happen. So, I have this baltic birch plywood I purchased from Lowes several months ago and its been sitting in my shop for a month. I cut out a side panel for my first cabinet 2 weeks ago. Today, I got around to cutting a 1/4 inch dado for the back panel. I went to start putting my shelf pins in (with the Kreg jig, thanks for the recommendation from SMC members) and I noticed this (see picture). The other side panel is flat, but this one bowed after I cut the dado. What the????
The panel bows out toward the face side of the panel. I will be using pocket screws to attach the panel to the top and bottom panel, no plans for a rabbet cut just butt jointed.
I'm thinking this will straighten out when I attach it with the screws, but will it effect the squareness of my frame? I intend to put a door on this cabinet. I didn't know plywood would bow like this after cutting a dado. Like I said, this is my first cabinet project. The wood hasn't been subject to swings in humidity, its been laid on a flat surface and it wasn't bowed before I cut the dado.
To summarize my questions are:
- Will the bow simply straighten out after I attach it to the top and bottom panels enough for it to be square?
- Is it ok to store plywood sheets (uncut) on their side, or do they need to be stored flat on the floor?
- Why would it bow after cutting the dado?
bent plywood.jpg