Contributor
I've gotten 3/4" Baltic Birch from Menards before. They have it available through special order in the 4x8 sheets. Can also get it in other thicknesses as well. They stock the 1/4" in the store.Originally Posted by John K Jordan
Have recently gone to ordering BB from Renneberg Hardwoods in Minnesota. They market both 5x5 and 4x8 sheets in 1/4, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4. You can additionally get 1/8 and 3/8 in 5x5 only. They deliver throughout my area for a reasonable price.
Clint
Member
Sourcing Eastern White Pine plywood recently my supplier warned that they had gotten some negative feedback on the product I was purchasing. This is from the specialist supplier for sheet goods that everyone uses in this CT region. The surface veneers were so thin that underlying dark areas were visually telegraphing through. Forewarned, I ended up testing and rejecting that product. Another somewhat local specialty hardwood supplier carried sheetgoods where the material was sourced differently, and I acquired the pine plywood from them. I was grateful that my local supplier was forthright. In fact the gentlemen is a true font of knowledge applied customer service. But that was the first time I can remember having been advised by a supplier that the material quality was suspect.
"the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.” Confucius
Contributor
That's amazing. 3/4" BB 5x5 is $69 and 4x8 is $119 at my local supplier (Boulter Plywood). How much do you have to buy to get that kind of price?
Contributor
I just called a plywood supplier that's literally 30 seconds from my job and asked how much 1/4" BB ply is and was told its 85 cents a square foot.
Member
This is my first post here, so I hope I don't get persecuted!
While Baltic Birch still seems to be the best product currently available, I've seen it's quality deteriorate dramatically in the last 10, or so years. I did a fairly good sized speaker cabinet project (fleet of 84 multi angle monitor wedges) in 2004 and was delighted with the 5/8" Baltic Birch. Went on to other projects not requiring much plywood until recently. Fast forward to last year and I was appalled by the same product. Very dry & splintery with a high number of poorly implemented plugs, and the list goes on!
Upon researching a number of years back, I read several articles concerning what was "SUPPOSEDLY" domestic plywood and discovered that some of the larger suppliers, such as Georgia Pacific, etc, actually had their American sourced lumber "processed" in "Chinesiawanoreanam" but because it was American sourced and they retained ownership throughout the process, were able to get away with selling it as domestic! This also helped them avoid import fees, tariffs, etc!
I guess my point is that it's important to know what you're getting, when it comes to plywood, but not as easy to know as it used to be!
Just Sayin'
Gene
Contributor
mike. Odd that you get an error about PMing me.
Seatch for Roys Wood Products in Lugoff SC. If u come this way stop by. It would be good to meet a fellow creeker
Bob C
Contributor
http://www.theworkbench.com/plywood.php#bunkply
Prices have actually come down since I last bought. The number of sheets in a bunk varies by the thickness, as there would be twice as many sheets in a lift of 1/2" as in a lift of 1"etc. etc. Varies by manufacturer as well. It good for them and good for me. No homeowners banging up the sheets looking for whatever they are looking for.
[OP]
Contributor
OK...just went to Lowes and found what I was looking for. I usually go to HD for that kind of stuff, but more times than not, Lowes has had what I need. Don't know why, but I'm always surprised at that...
Moderator
I've been quite happy with the plywood I've gotten from my local HD...both 1/2" and 3/4" have been just fine to work with. I seem to recall it being Columbia brand.
Member
Whats sad is I remember when HD first come to town,they sold birch plywood with poplar core and HD had purchase it from a local supplier.Then next they sold it with particle board core layers under the veneer with I think 3 layers of just plain core.Then after that started coming from other countries,but why??They had no trouble selling the better grade of plywood,but now you just don't see people loading their trucks up with the cheaper plywood.I have purchase the cheap stuff to make cabinets for several garages which its barely good enough for that.I say they did it for more profit but if they are not selling it then there is no profit.But I'm sure someone is buying it
Contributor
Quality goes down, cost goes down, profit goes up and price stays same or rises. Sounds like every other box store product these days.
Member
Just don't cheap out and buy the cheap versions of the birch ply at Crosscut. Horrible stuff that delaminated way worse than anything I've bought at Home Depot. I believe it was the $35 or $40/sheet stuff.
Member
My biggest gripe with HD sheet goods is the way they store them. The HD store by me stacks the plywood on metal brackets that are more than 36 inches apart. The plywood almost always has a wave in it that makes it really difficult to work with. I'll never understand why they can't put a well supported flat bottom for their quasi cabinet grade plywood. Maybe it's a forklift thing?
Contributor
Definitely not a forklift thing. It's a "I don't care because I don't have to" thing. When people stop buying it, they will change their ways.
Everyone knows, they all monitor their sales on a daily basis.
Contributor
Jeff,
Not a chance. I only use BB. BTW - the 4'x8' sheets are superior to the 5'x5' in quality.
regards - Bill
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