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    One possibility: check with plywood suppliers. The cabinet shop I used to work at was able to get baltic birch plywood with good faces on both sides and no visible patches. Will probably cost more, though.
    – Triplefault
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 2:29
  • Hi, welcome to Woodworking! And thanks for the evident prior research. One thing though, you're asking multiple things in the one Question. Ideally each Question should have only one ? in it. Anything worth asking (and not covered by a previous Q&A) deserves its own Q, both for ease of answering but also as an aid for future searchers who might be looking for something on that specific topic.
    – Graphus
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 8:09
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    Re. VOCs, obviously the right type of respirator and its cartridges are purpose-made to keep the operator safe no matter the solvent(s) used and their amounts in the liquid finish. But if it can be arranged they can also be made basically a non-issue if airflow goes past the user, then over the work and is then vented outside. Additionally, with varnish thinned to make wiping varnish you can switch from regular to "odourless" spirits. Be assured, the lack of odour doesn't just trick the user into thinking it's safer, mineral spirits is made materially safer.... [contd]
    – Graphus
    Commented Nov 20, 2023 at 9:12
  • 1
    Veneers made for aesthetics give no structural benefit so I don't see the problem of applying it to just one side, I've done it many times. I've used press-on veneer which has stood the test of time, but you can tear the stuff with the grain because it's so thin. I would be sure to finish both sides, however. One caveat is be sure to measure the thickness if you're milling dados since it will be different!
    – LarryBud
    Commented Nov 22, 2023 at 15:45
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    It may be too late for this project, but for the future, plan ahead. Select your "both sides visible" pieces first and cut them from areas of the plywood that are good on both sides, leaving the patches to only be used where they can be hidden. No, this doesn't lead to max efficiency when cutting the pieces out of the sheet, but it may be cheaper to get one or two extra "standard" grade pieces than paying the premium for "good both sides" plywood. Then again, it may not...
    – FreeMan
    Commented Dec 21, 2023 at 18:36