How to fix birch ply cladding to timber frame?

[eddomak]

I am getting close to completing an elevated bed for my daughter, and just wanted to check on whether you have suggestions for how to best attach the birch ply "cladding" to this frame structure top and outward facing sides (as facing the camera) ?

In some places (around the under bed drawers) I have drilled pocket holes to attach it like a face frame (with some construction adhesive as well) , but on the top surface I was thinking of some some construction adhesive and brads, but am worried the filler for the brad holes might stand out?

Can I shoot Brad's diagonally in from the edges of the ply?

I thought dominoes might be a bit of overkill and hard to get exact alignment

 

[Bohdan]

Construction adhesive (or use PVA) and some weight on top till it sets.

 

[Rob-GB]

Screw through the timber frame into the ply.

Rob.

 

[leakyroof]

I am getting close to completing an elevated bed for my daughter, and just wanted to check on whether you have suggestions for how to best attach the birch ply "cladding" to this frame structure top and outward facing sides (as facing the camera) ?

In some places (around the under bed drawers) I have drilled pocket holes to attach it like a face frame (with some construction adhesive as well) , but on the top surface I was thinking of some some construction adhesive and brads, but am worried the filler for the brad holes might stand out?

Can I shoot Brad's diagonally in from the edges of the ply?

I thought dominoes might be a bit of overkill and hard to get exact alignment

  How thick is the veneer or 'cladding' as you called it going to be?  If very thin, you probably don't need any fasteners, just adhesive as posted by others.

 

[bertv]

Don't shoot brads at an extreme angle through plywood. Accidents will surely happen.

 

[eddomak]

Thanks all for the thoughts!

The outside birch plywood layer is sometimes 12mm, other times 18mm. I had also considered screwing through the timber frame into the plywood from the inside and will do that where possible, but in a lot of instances it won't be possible because of the way it needs to be constructed.

Thanks also for the wisdom on not shooting angled brads into the edges.

One saving grace is that most of the edges will be hidden - the bedding will cover it up, and most of the visible edges will be mitred.

Thanks again for keeping the FOG awesome! [big grin]