Hexagon Patterned Plywood | How To

It's Patterned Plywood time again! This time I'm working on a bunch of patterns based on the Hexagon. They may look complicated, but I guarantee they are easier to make than you think. Also, it's a great way to use up the scrap plywood you don't know what to do with.
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[@modustrial]

Got me thinking about hex floor tiles ...hmmm... 👍👍

[@Brigidz]

Lotta work but man would it look great!

[@greenshootstv4117]

Would they be strong enough for floor tiles?

[@gbear1005]

Beat me to it. Glue on 1/4 inch ply or on a PERFECT floor surface....

[@smitcher]

Grand Job Michael, those patterns look fantastic and the finish looks geat with the voids filled. I'm subscribed now! I can think of one pattern that you didn't try though, maybe a suggestion for a different video? If you make cuts at 15 degrees or 75 degrees instead of 30/60 then you can get diagonal lines that go through eithe the short or long diagonals of the rhombus that way when you glue them up then you either get a triangle inside a hexagon or you get 3 radial lines (and parralel ones) going out from centre. Would love to see how they turn out in a pattern.

[@alexpettigrew583]

Well that is just hexellent! Thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelAlm]

Hahaha!

[@GabrielDimude]

Wow! I'm so fascinated by how many designs and patterns we can make from Plywood. Thanks Michael for this ideas!

[@MakeEverything]

Very cool man!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks dude!

[@katieourmatie8250]

I see so many woodworking videos where people try to hide the edge of plywood, but instead you’ve really worked with the material and shown that it can be beautiful just the way it is, that rocks!

[@heatherscanlan5016]

I see Q-bert, Buffalo Art Deco and Portland trailblazers in there

[@johnfrazier9327]

This made me LOL as a fan of all 3!!

[@MichaelAlm]

Hahaha!!! Totally

[@idratherbemaking4270]

Heather, I love your Q-bert idea. I'd like to make that.

[@dlwatib]

I was about to mention the Art Deco look too. Not too surprising since the designers of Art Deco were taking inspiration from the then-new industrial age and how machines were changing everybody's lives back then. Mass producing little blocks or tiles and putting them together to form attractive geometric patterns was something they did a lot.

[@nanashi1879]

Thank you for this. I've been sketching out a hexagon entertainment center and wanted to do a honeycomb pattern on the cabinet doors. This would be perfect

[@BearMaked]

Those all came out fantastic! Almost makes me want to make another patterned-plywood-topped coffee table. Almost. Not quite though...

[@larrymoore5778]

Michael....I really admire your work. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@дядяСирожа]

You have to mix plywood triangles/rhombuses with the simple (natural skin of) wood ...and maybe not just for patterns based on the Hexagons.

[@windidiot]

I used this video to help my kid with math to help him visualize how combinations of rhombus, triangle and trapezoid combine to make hexagons.

[@DigitalSwagg]

Where have you been all this time! I just found you, AWESOME!!!!!

[@KomarProject]

Love this stuff. Can’t wait to try is

[@MichaelAlm]

Nice! Congrats on the new space Bart!

[@muragebrendan1533]

hey mike ... i like the pattern plywood ... so I was wondering if you have considered using them in combination with liquid epoxy to create something like a coffee table or something ... that would a nice project!!!

[@MichaelAlm]

That's an interesting idea 🤔

[@LaserMadeProducts]

Wow this is amazing! I love seeing the process of how you cut each piece of plywood down, adhered them together, and cut out the hexagons. I had a completely different idea of how it was going to be made in the beginning, but this made a lot more sense! Thanks for sharing your process. Keep up the great work 😀

[@MrFinn]

inspiring and generous as always! thank you! :)

[@forestlampcraft472]

Cool!

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

These are awesome Michael!! Keep up the awesome work man! You inspire us like crazy!!! Also, great live streams recently! Love seeing that side of you 👍

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Guys!

[@amirfar3097]

I am seriously going to cry right now for how beautiful your videos are

[@jamestaulbee4791]

I wish there was a more expressive word than awesome to describe this. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@TylerBellMakes]

Super rad patterns. Awesome work bud

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks dude!

[@sleuth5169]

this likely late: but COULD YOU EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL HOW YOU RE-SAW THE 60DEGREE ON TUBE ON TABLE SAW DO YOU DO ALL SIX SIDES OR 3 OR ? DO YOU MOVE THE FENCE ETC. THANKS HOPE YOU SEE THIS.

[@PaganWizard]

These designs would be GREAT for hardwood flooring. It seems relatively easy and inexpensive, but very time consuming.

[@lifeanywhere]

Great idea for a backsplash too, man. Nice work.

[@jonchilds1637]

Super stuff - but more conspicuously (to me) you must have the most effective dust/chip extraction I've ever seen!!

[@davecurda2350]

Michael I’m really digging the plywood patterns so many possibilities.

[@falconcarwash435]

insane....I need more tools!!

[@hugodiscdyes]

Thanks Micheal, I have been looking for ideas and inspiration for a magnetic knife-block and I'll try this, and then run em over with a router to be able to put the magnets in. I'll let you know how it went ;)

[@violettownmicroenterprises1528]

alternatively.... ahhh hummmmmm.... sing your content along with your music .... uh... sorry to be so painful.... ill shut up now. sorry michael...

[@colinmcgrath2405]

I walked out to my shop so excited to try... but, my table saw only goes to 45 degrees. Am I missing something simple?

[@modustrial]

A 30 degree cut on one edge leaves a 60 degree angle on the edge of the cutoff ;)

[@WhiteDawgPresents]

I'm not really sure how I got here, but I'm staying. Great content, camerawork, editing, background music - the whole nine! Keep it up man!

[@TheJLMDT]

This us such a cool idea! One suggestion I have is to flip some of the pieces upside down which (for some patterns) gives you the opposite direction of the flow. That opens the options up so much more than were already possible!

[@Liftedwoodworking]

Pretty sure I’m partially responsible for about 20k of your views with my dyslexic ass trying to sort this process out. 😂

[@nielslund9359]

I've had a hexagon wood project in my mind for nearly a month now and this video of yours really amplified my ideas and gave me lots of great suggestions. Thank you very much for sharing this!!!

[@mmcl1312]

I wonder if you could cut a veneer from the small panels? Then assemble like tile and glue down to a larger panel, to possibly save some time from creating a really large surface.

[@chrispearson8163]

I'm doing just that, cross-cutting my hexagonal "logs" into 1/4" thick hexagons on my band saw., which I'm gluing onto a plywood backing. You could go even thinner, like 1/8" assuming you did a solid glue-up of your logs.

[@PandorasFolly]

@@chrispearson8163 do you think doing a resin soak of some kind might protect the wood more when doing thi veneers?

[@chrispearson8163]

Resin might stabilize the ply, but I think the key to thin veneers would be gentle sawing, maybe using a Japanese razor saw and a mitre box or a bandsaw with a really sharp blade and gentle feeding pressure.

[@PandorasFolly]

@@chrispearson8163 that makes a lot of sense I don't really do any veneer work but I have been looking for a way to apply a thin, strong decorative cover over wireless phone chargers set into table/desk tops and this might be it. I could even align a section of the pattern to indicate where the charger was!

[@nathandrouin4730]

Ive watched this video many time and the basket weave pattern still confused me ...i have tryed it a couple times and it just doesn't look right

[@franciscomariodefreitascor1402]

You are amazing, very talented, i loved your ideas i wll copy everything here in brazil, if you allow, if yu allow obviously, thanks

[@little_blue_dragon661]

Hexagons are the bestagons!

[@charrua1029]

Do you think that it will be strong enough for a serving tray or will be better if you glue it to a 1/4 inch plywood for support? Thanks in advance.

[@LindaSmith-vq1br]

Who knew that there could be so many variations using plywood! Wow!! Stay safe and Hoppy Easter!

[@binarydaddy]

Hey Michael - I’m currently working on a ply-pattern desktop for my office. Question(s): 1) do you think these are stainable? 2) have you tried rounding the edges with a trim router?

[@GpD79]

These would make really cool cutting boards.

[@martinbrimble5878]

Can you actually buy pattern plywood..? I’m not a woodworker, but would still like to experiment.

[@alessandromcf5681]

Too beautiful just a doubt my macvhine does not give 60 degrees which option?

[@stevenparker3015]

Did you think about leaving some blocks out, so you have a series of hexs with a void in the middle? Might make a cool screen.

[@flix4u]

Really nice - live Baltic birch plywood. What do I suggest as the main uses for these pieces?

[@peterfiek8033]

Okay yes the wood is amazing but I gotta ask... where'd you get that rad army green wall mounted first aid kit? 🙃

[@janniandkorbyn]

This is awesome! How to you think this would work as a countertop?? Do you think we would run I to any problems when cutting the hole for our sink?

[@alberswoodworks8347]

Great work Michael! The different patterns look incredible!

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

I never would have even thought to make something like this from plywood! Now you got me thinking about other ways to use this.

[@blueridgedsia]

is that a silicone bbq brush? Those things are the bomb for applying wood glue, cleanup is so easy

[@michaelgormel4130]

Michael, what's the best formula for cutting beehive patterns?

[@storylineamerica4108]

Q-Bert was one of the coolest games in the 80's!

[@diyhuntress]

Sooo sick! Always inspired by you, dude. 🙌🏼

[@diyhuntress]

P.S. I feel like these would make some epic looking backsplashes... 😍

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Sam! I totally agree! Really cool backsplashes

[@heatherkevinm]

My husband sent this video today (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpmympmrfdhpm7s) then I came across you your. It was meant to bee!

[@ДенисНекрасов-г5ъ]

It's not a Baltic birch...... Fucking, who tells it for you......

[@lukesp5721]

Nice, what was that thing you used for finding the angle on the saw blade? Thanks!

[@mohammedkhairy5803]

I will be grateful if you check your email & Instagram DM

[@bryanmcdowell9655]

This is awesome. Have you tried it with other plywood besides baltic birch?

[@sergiomontangie6942]

thnank you very much for sharing, this is awesome!!! tons of ideas !!!

[@judders89]

Wish I could like this video more than once! This is so creative and amazing

[@GetHandsDirty]

This seems so simple yet very interesting!

[@laurabrown6809]

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[@anthonyr.3799]

Have you ever made a shaker cabinet face with the plywood pattern?

[@brendonoliver4483]

If you used food grade coating could you use these as cutting boards in the kitchen??

[@blackbardpit]

This is really cool. I'd love to see a epoxy table top made from much larger patterns.

[@jawilsrful]

I'm working through a sketchup design for a new kitchen island and trying to decide on a DIY countertop to use. I really like these patterns for that idea. Then I started wondering if that could contrast with, or clash with the white shaker style cabinet doors; then started picturing shaker doors with the center panel made with these designs as well.

[@violettownmicroenterprises1528]

oh saddness, michael.... your wrecking stuff.... one of the things i love about your vlogs are the exceptional qualit, the ideas and skills and mostly no background musack.... Its just that not only does musack not enhanse or improve on your excellence I really struggle witb the two competing inputs. I really like your music ... a whole lot... but its too much for my piddlie tiny processor between my ears... just saying... 😧

[@violettownmicroenterprises1528]

you could however just separate the two buy just doing a show-and-play your sounds around your workshop, wordlessly... but combining words and music is like spaghetti in a blender to my brain 😧

[@_Murky_]

A whole feature wall would be amazing 😍

[@VishousDhestroyer]

Mr. Alm how I love thee let me count the ways... wait i cant cause there are to many of hexi patterns to count! Lol I really enjoy the plywood projects. Stay safe out there.

[@phills2070]

really nice ..... but I don't understand how u really cut before .....

[@jacobosanchezvega2650]

Traduce tu programa es bonito tus trabajos pero no entiendo tu idioma porfa ir soy peruano

[@markdermont4934]

Great technique I’m definitely gonna make

[@annabukata7127]

I really like it) Thanks for the video)

[@明-j6y]

一级棒👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@toddozaki3318]

For the 2nd cut, is there ever a problem where the pointed edge goes under the fence?

[@donnecheli2721]

Man you never cease to amaze , great stuff

[@matiasmorant4484]

Lovely. Scale production pls.

[@DannyPops]

beautiful! Still looks to be a ton of work though.

[@Belg1970]

When truing up the glue ups do you trim all 6 sides of each one?

[@treasurehunter3347]

hi micheal..what kind of plywaood you use..

[@js.7254]

I really want to try this, but my saw only goes to 45 degrees.

[@gregstephens2339]

I would add around 15% more glue. You don't get consistent squeeze out across all of your joints. Glue is cheap. Your skills are not. If your just joining solid wood the surrounding area would even it out. I had a lot of wood science classes at EKU were we tested joints in a lab. Glue starvation was always the problem It happens a lot but, your cutting the joints down to a small surface area. Stress that starved spot and it will break. You might add a really light "wash" coat first. Then apply your actual glue coat. I love your videos. I want to build a desk this way.

[@EmmaSegasture]

If you used this as a counter, what would you use as a top coat protection?

[@TheBlueMuzzy]

I've been trying to come up with a clamping jig that can do glueups with individual pieces like this (instead of the more common long piece face to long piece face). I've been 3d modeling variations, but can't seem to create one that provides a continuous surface that doesn't allow pieces to fall through AND integrates clamps, AND allows for variance in total dimensions of the glueup chunks (I make variable size cutting boards from cubes - 1 glue up, but needs a continuous bottom). I ALMOST had it with a shiplap style bottom where every other piece is connected - creating a sliding/interlocking surface, BUT the damn parallel clamps just don't line up well. My next idea will involve strap clamps instead. Thanks for the video - this was super insightful for that process though!

[@giveitnowone]

Hexagon Patterned Plywood wooden sushi

[@jomgelborn]

maybe think about getting a sharp blade for your table saw? It's even burning 3/4 thick plywood? Kind of pathetic

[@Ceplix83]

Likeit you skil

[@benjaminstavrach701]

Hey. I am interested in these for a focal wall. About 5’x10’. Is that something you’d do?

[@adelker4884]

I wish they showed this video to students-- k through 12 ! It would make'em ( or most of them) love math-- instead of them thinking it's boring and useless. Btw, I'm an English teacher from Egypt. AWESOME craftsmanship and ingenuity 👍👍👍👍. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@LeslieWorks]

Man I wish I could afford the wood and tools to pick up wood working. I used to do it a while back but now its just impossible. Really enjoyed it too

[@DarknessNation]

Holy crap!!!! Someone else with a W123 in the background!! Gotta love those classics benz.

[@markbennett8476]

This style is entering into uncharted territory. I love it! I'm curious about perfection or lack there of. It seems you don't let imperfections interfere. And I would also imagine you have to have all your saws extremely square

[@paulkubin]

I took this project on and it was a lot of fun. I did run into trouble when I got to the part about truing them up at the table saw. I found it hard to cut them consistently, so I they fit worse after I did that. But the look of the hexagons when I but into the sticks was so cool. I'm going to give it another try, so if you have any tips how to take those "light passes" you were talking about, I'd love to hear them.

[@jonhohensee3258]

Why does he wear a knit winter hat indoors? Is his workshop not heated?

[@kencoleman7762]

Quite amazing. Is there any reason, with proper sealing, this would not make an awesome cutting board?

[@rayangusmiran1662]

sweet ! very nice. mmmm,,....i like that pattern

[@明-j6y]

三个 漂亮菱形。

[@jimmyjohnson1700]

My table saw only makes up to 45 degree cuts. How do you do the 60 degree cut with that?

[@MichaelAlm]

60 degrees and 30 degrees are complimentary angles, so the setting is 30 degrees on your saw

[@JolienBrebels]

What a great video Michael! I needed to catch up on this one! Beautiful patterns, with optical illusions haha

[@jordanjaleco6895]

I wish I have tools and shop like yours.. Man I just luv your work.. Its like Damascus in steel.. Nice work bro..