Showerthought: I thought plywood was junk for face frames until a job went wrong

For years, I only used solid wood for face frames because I believed plywood was for cheap stuff and wouldn't last. I stuck to my guns even when it meant higher material costs and more waste from warping boards. Then I did a big built-in unit for a lake house, and within a season, the solid wood frames swelled and cracked at the joints. The client was not happy, and I had to eat the cost to fix it. Another cabinetmaker saw my mess and gently suggested trying a good birch plywood with a nice veneer. I gave it a shot on the next project, a set of bathroom vanities, and wow, they stayed perfectly straight and took stain evenly. Now I use plywood for most face frames, especially in damp spots, and it saves me headaches and cash. My work holds up better, and I'm not dealing with returns anymore.