Shelving unit?

[dan moran]

3/4" birch ply case(w/ 1/4" lauan back), 1x poplar face frame, 1x poplar shelves.

2 coats of primer

1 coat paint

done

[Gary Muto]

I would suggest Medium density Overlay (MDO) Plywood. It is smooth and takes apint well. You can edgeband it or use solid wood strips on the leading edge.

[Greg Cole]

I'd stray away from MDF too... I did some of my early projects with it for kids shelves etc... and the abuse kids (young and old) can put on a piece is amazing & not just on the edges of MDF. Also the dust is nasty for me, it's the only "ww'ing' dust that bothers me at all.
Poplar, soft maple...etc are good choices and depending on locale the price will wander a little.

Sorry to pick on a typo, but it caught my eye... and my sense of humor...
it takes "apint well".... I've been known to take a pint or 2 rather well too, but prefer mine frosty cold!

Greg

[Bill White]

Shelves will be too long for MDF or Melamine. Use ply with a "lip nose" molding or edge with hardwood. Any fillling you may need to do can be done with Bondo. Then paint
Bill

[Gary Muto]

Yeah! I meant paint. My typing isn't so good after apint or two.... It must be 5 o'clock somewhere.
I was surprised that no one else mentioned MDO. My brother is an artist and uses it for indoor and outdoor Murals with a variety of paints. He doesn't drink until he's done though.

[Pat Germain]

I recently built a basic shelving unit with 3/4 birch plywood. I covered the edges with oak, but you could use pretty much any wood if you're going to paint it. In case you're interested, I posted some pics which you can see on this thread:

http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61995

I stained and varnised my bookcase, but paint would be easier. Have fun!