Hardwood Ply Board?

I've been thinking about making a board for a while now, that is "plywood" (like any veneered board) but the ply remains visible and is all layers of the existing square colors. Walnut and maple squares would show walnut and maple ply layers (instead of trash wood, MDF layers).

Some people may like, or dislike the aesthetic of this, obviously. The idea would simply be around creating something strong, solid, unique, stable. I've attached an image of what high quality factory ply looks like. This is what I generally use for drawer building unless full hardwood is requested. As you can see, the look is unique. The wood that I use would be of higher quality and finish and I keep pondering the look of a board with something like this as the edges...

Yep - I understand the idea and think it could look brilliant / you may end up with a bit of a modern Scandinavian feel. 

I am not sure if it would look to busy - but the edge could also match some form of folding legs or legs made in a similar fashion. 

Something like this may be inspo?

 

To me, I prefer a board to be easy on the eyes. If there are too many patterns than it would be too distracting for me. I mean, I've seen those extravagant >4K boards from House of Staunton, it would be tough to match with "ordinary" pieces, whereas simple plain 1200 USD vintage Jaques boards looks really good and in harmony with almost any pieces.

I like the idea you're going with there. It wouldn't be too hard to integrate that element into legs for a table as well. 

Hey Bryan,

Bear with me - and maybe this is an idea you have in mind with the squares …

Noting you the ply is sandwiched - could it be the that the light and dark squares are stepped - in that say the dark squares are slightly lower than the light squares because the top white layer is cut to reveal the dark squares underneath?

Further - for simplicity of style - the border for the top is not the sandwich lines - rather these are exposed on the board edge. Similarly on the leg edge too.

In this way - you have a reasonably different stepped board but again - still ‘clean’ in design but the edges reveal the cleverness.

And don’t laugh to hard if what I am saying there proves that I am not a woodworker!

Hmmm..... I think that would be too unique IMO. It would affect the playability of the board wouldn't it? You couldn't slide pieces if the board had raised and lowered position. It would be incredibly unique and I'd make it on request, but that one sounds a bit too spicy to play around with 🤣 I see what you're saying for the board though. I've got something special brewing in my brain. Work today just fell apart so I've got some free time to build. I'm going to get cracking on a new board or two.

If you were to want plywood. I would have Bamboo plywood. It would have an Asian touch to the chess table. Bamboo furniture is very modern and really attractive. This is my 2 cents.

I think I do have a pile of bamboo scraps in the shop somewhere. I'll definitely agree that's attractive stuff!