The plywood from Lowe's and Home Depot is construction grade. Yes, you can get lucky on the finish once in a while but there are too many voids in the too few layers of laminate. I am not trying to sound like a wood snob, but at the same time if I am building a nice piece of furniture, I am willing to pay a bit extra for better starting materials. Then it's up to me and only me to screw it up.