Plywood at Home Depot question.

One of the HDs in my area carries Birch & Red Oak 3/4"x4'x8' panels for
about $40.
Also, 1/4" x 4'x8' for less than $20.

So ask about the larger sizes, they may surprise you and be able to get it.

Ron

"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

I used some Oak ply from Lowes and never did find a void. edge banded
in oak and looked great.

I also have seen the blondewood but did not like the look of it. looked
too "coarse" to finish very well.

BRuce

Frank Ketchum wrote:
> "klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>>The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
>>Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
>>It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
>>Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.
>
>
> I have purchased birch faced plywood from the borg and used it for some shop
> cabinets. I believe it was $40 for a 4x8 sheet. It is not cabinet grade,
> meaning there will be some areas with voids. I also used it to build a
> couple projects for the house and edged it with cherry. It looks nice with
> an oil based polyuerethane finish on it.
>
> I have also seen blondwood faced plywood at the borg but never tried it.
>
> Frank
>
>
>
>
>

--
---

BRuce

I'm not sure what it is either, but it is made by GP. I purchased about 5 -
2'x4' pieces about a year ago to use for jigs, it has been great. As good as
any Baltic Birch that I paid much more for.

Gary

"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

It is probably Chinese birch, It started coming in about a year ago. I
buy it for about $27.00 a (4x8) sheet from my cabinet supplier (50
sheets at at time) but it shouldn't be over $30.00 for a single piece.
The top veneer is actually very thin, although all plies are birch.
Make sure it is square, some of the stuff I got wasn't. I have quit
using it now because the quality has gone down. All the third world
countries do this with their plywood; they start out with a quality
product at a good price and then start dropping quality and raising
prices until no one buys it anymore.
Jamie

George wrote:

>I got some of that 48x60 5-ply 1/4" stuff from a GP-wrapped stack at
>Menards, only to find a cheap-looking purple stamp on some sheets with an
>unmistakable Cyrillic "F-A" an abbreviation for factory (fabrika), and the
>factory number. They used the same crummy ink and nomenclature on
>everything during the Soviet days. I believe you may have Russian stuff
>made on old Finnish equipment, sold by a US manufacturer. Or perhaps they
>buy the veneers overseas and laminate here.
>
>At any rate, the stuff was peeled white birch veneer, seems to display
>pretty well, and is reasonably priced.
>
>Interesting note - in Soviet days they not only stamped on manufacturer
>information, but price, at the factory.
>
>"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>
>>Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>>The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
>>Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
>>It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
>>Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.
>>
>
>

I got some of that 48x60 5-ply 1/4" stuff from a GP-wrapped stack at
Menards, only to find a cheap-looking purple stamp on some sheets with an
unmistakable Cyrillic "F-A" an abbreviation for factory (fabrika), and the
factory number. They used the same crummy ink and nomenclature on
everything during the Soviet days. I believe you may have Russian stuff
made on old Finnish equipment, sold by a US manufacturer. Or perhaps they
buy the veneers overseas and laminate here.

At any rate, the stuff was peeled white birch veneer, seems to display
pretty well, and is reasonably priced.

Interesting note - in Soviet days they not only stamped on manufacturer
information, but price, at the factory.

"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

Well, perhaps Mongolian - if there are any trees there - where they used
Cyrillic, but certainly _not_ Chinese on this stuff.

"Jamie Norwood" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It is probably Chinese birch, It started coming in about a year ago. I
> buy it for about $27.00 a (4x8) sheet from my cabinet supplier (50
> sheets at at time) but it shouldn't be over $30.00 for a single piece.
>
> George wrote:
>
> >I got some of that 48x60 5-ply 1/4" stuff from a GP-wrapped stack at
> >Menards, only to find a cheap-looking purple stamp on some sheets with an
> >unmistakable Cyrillic "F-A" an abbreviation for factory (fabrika), and
the
> >factory number. They used the same crummy ink and nomenclature on
> >everything during the Soviet days. I believe you may have Russian stuff
> >made on old Finnish equipment, sold by a US manufacturer. Or perhaps
they
> >buy the veneers overseas and laminate here.

Saw some the other day at a Canadian HD. The sticky label said it was
Russian Birch -- which translated means Baltic Birch.

"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

I recently bought a couple of 1/4 sheets of 3/4" birch ply at the BORG to
make a bandsaw table. At a cursory glance (which was all I gave it at the
store) it looked like Baltic Birch or something similar. On closer
inspection once I'd gotten it home, I was amazed to find that the inner
plies were not uniform thickness. Not that seperate plies were different
thicknesses, but EACH ply varied in thickness. I can't even picture what
process could have produced these plies. Also, they must have to put a hell
of a lot of pressure on the finished sheet to get it to come out flat,
'cause it is definitely flat. Still, I think it'll work out fine for what I
bought it for... it's just really wierd stuff!
Bruce

BTW

"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

On 2003/10/29 3:02 AM, "Mark" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
> Fred the Red Shirt wrote:
>
>> klaatu <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:<[email protected]>...
>>
>> I wouldn't count on finding anyone at HD who knows more than you.
>
>
> Count on them knowing less.

Maybe I have encountered some lucky exceptions, but I have talked with a
couple of people at our local HD that are quite knowledgeable. There are two
older men in the tools area that have help with me technical details of some
of the tools. In some cases, steering me towards their own stock, in other
cases, recommending specialty stores in the area. In other cases, I have
gotten helpful advice in electrical and plumbing areas.

I can say that the most helpful people look to be retirement age and might
be doing this as a side job after retirement. I would stay away from the 17
year old stock boy who doesn't even know what 2x4 means.

Doesn't all plywood have odd plys?

> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.

"Bruce Adams" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I recently bought a couple of 1/4 sheets of 3/4" birch ply at the BORG to
> make a bandsaw table. At a cursory glance (which was all I gave it at the
> store) it looked like Baltic Birch or something similar. On closer
> inspection once I'd gotten it home, I was amazed to find that the inner
> plies were not uniform thickness. Not that seperate plies were different
> thicknesses, but EACH ply varied in thickness. I can't even picture what
> process could have produced these plies. Also, they must have to put a hell
> of a lot of pressure on the finished sheet to get it to come out flat,
> 'cause it is definitely flat. Still, I think it'll work out fine for what I
> bought it for... it's just really wierd stuff!
> Bruce
>
> BTW
>

I was at my local HD last night and saw that they also carried 2'x4'
sheets of this stuff. What I also saw was that of the 5 sheets in the
bin, 3 of them had the core plys coming apart. One was so bad I
thought at first I was looking at a 1/4" piece of plywood. Maybe these
pieces came from a bad run or maybe the employees left the stack
outside in the rain. Whatever the case, I think I'll pass on this
stuff for now. At least from my area store (West Norriton, PA).

-Bill

Ron, Good idea. All the 4'x8' Birch and Oak ply at the local HD is
only 6 (or 8?) ply and has lots of delams.
lOn Mon, 27 Oct 2003 23:38:20 GMT, "Ron" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>One of the HDs in my area carries Birch & Red Oak 3/4"x4'x8' panels for
>about $40.
>Also, 1/4" x 4'x8' for less than $20.
>
>So ask about the larger sizes, they may surprise you and be able to get it.
>
>Ron
>
>"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
>> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
>> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
>> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.
>

klaatu <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

The local HD has begun carrying Sande (A Central American hardood that
looks a bit like blond Mahogany) plywood. Hechingers used to carry it.

I found the half-inch stacked under a stack of birch plywoood. The
Sande had 7 plys fairly thick face veneers, and all the plys look to
be Sande. The birch had 5 plys, extemely thin face veneers, and the
interior plys were poplar. The Sande was noticeable lighter and much
stiffer.

So, apologizing in advance for possibly insulting you on your ability
to recognize wood species, are you sure the 14 ply sheets were birch?

--

FF

klaatu <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Thanks to all for your replys. I have no idea what wood the core is
> made from. The veneer is Birch. If I can get some info from HD I will
> post it.
>

I wouldn't count on finding anyone at HD who knows more than you.

--

FF

"Barada nikto too!"

BRuce <BRuce> wrote in message news:<1067309025.279097@sj-nntpcache-3>...
> I used some Oak ply from Lowes and never did find a void. edge banded
> in oak and looked great.
>
> I also have seen the blondewood but did not like the look of it. looked
> too "coarse" to finish very well.
>

That sounds like Sande.

--

FF

"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

I have purchased birch faced plywood from the borg and used it for some shop
cabinets. I believe it was $40 for a 4x8 sheet. It is not cabinet grade,
meaning there will be some areas with voids. I also used it to build a
couple projects for the house and edged it with cherry. It looks nice with
an oil based polyuerethane finish on it.

I have also seen blondwood faced plywood at the borg but never tried it.

Frank

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 23:06:11 GMT, klaatu <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
>Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
>It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
>Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.

It's not Baltic Birch, but just as good, IMHO. The 4x8 sheets have
alot fewer plys, and aren't as good for jigs, etc., but good for
cabinet use. I'd love to see the larger sheets in 14 plys.

tt

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 19:19:42 -0500, "bry" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Doesn't all plywood have odd plys?
I thought so too until I counted again. Yes, 14 ply.
>> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>
>

Thanks to all for your replys. I have no idea what wood the core is
made from. The veneer is Birch. If I can get some info from HD I will
post it.

On 28 Oct 2003 08:54:02 -0800, [email protected] (Fred the Red
Shirt) wrote:

>klaatu <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
>> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
>> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
>> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.
>
>The local HD has begun carrying Sande (A Central American hardood that
>looks a bit like blond Mahogany) plywood. Hechingers used to carry it.
>
>I found the half-inch stacked under a stack of birch plywoood. The
>Sande had 7 plys fairly thick face veneers, and all the plys look to
>be Sande. The birch had 5 plys, extemely thin face veneers, and the
>interior plys were poplar. The Sande was noticeable lighter and much
>stiffer.
>
>So, apologizing in advance for possibly insulting you on your ability
>to recognize wood species, are you sure the 14 ply sheets were birch?

Gary, I did the same for TS fixtures. BTW, the stuff looks great with
an oil based finish. Requires very little sanding.

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 23:08:46 GMT, "Gary Davis" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I'm not sure what it is either, but it is made by GP. I purchased about 5 -
>2'x4' pieces about a year ago to use for jigs, it has been great. As good as
>any Baltic Birch that I paid much more for.
>
>Gary
>
>"klaatu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hello all, I saw some 3/4" birch plywood at the borg that has 14 plys.
>> The veneer has good figure and would be OK for a cabinet carcase.
>> Problem is that they only have 2'X4' pieces, about $15.00 each.
>> It doesn't look like Baltic Birch, but I could be wrong on that.
>> Anybody know what this stuff is? Thanks.
>

I saw a 7-ply ?? birch/maple at HD for $30.

I dont recall the number of plys, but it was not the "many" ply cabinet
stuff.

For $30 I was thinking it may be good for shop cabinets and misc
bookshelves/cabinets around the house.

Fred the Red Shirt wrote:

> klaatu <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>Thanks to all for your replys. I have no idea what wood the core is
>>made from. The veneer is Birch. If I can get some info from HD I will
>>post it.
>
> I wouldn't count on finding anyone at HD who knows more than you.


Count on them knowing less.