Replies

1. 
   Steve50 | Jul 30, 2005 03:18pm | #1

   Gene,

   A couple of months ago I purhased baltic birch plywood and was asked by the supplier if I wanted 5 x 5 or 4 x 8.  The 4 x 8 size was a lot more pricey.  I am sure if it is available in Arkansas, it must have been available everywhere else 10 years earlier.

   Steve

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 30, 2005 05:30pm | #2

   Yes, you can get it in 4 X 8 sheets, only it is not the imported Finnish/Russian stuff (which is only available in 5 X 5).

   If you call around for availability, ask for Apple Ply.

   ********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   gdavis62 | Jul 30, 2005 05:49pm | #3

   Yes, I thought that the imported stuff was in the 60x60 size, and that 48x96 would be domestic.  Didn't think to inquire it as ApplePly.Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY

    

    

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 30, 2005 06:28pm | #4

   Some 4x8 baltic birch from Russia is being imported.  I have see it occasionally.  But, most Russian and Finnish birch is only available as 5x5.

   ApplyPly, a US made high multi-ply plywood is available in 4x8 but it is quite expensive and not too readily available.

   What do you want to use it for?

   Howie.........
4. 
   JohnWW | Jul 30, 2005 10:04pm | #5

   4x8 sheets of true Baltic birch are available in the U.S..  Go to a large wholesale supplier that specilizes in sheet goods, they should have it or be able to get it.  "Baltic birch" style plywood is also being made and imported from China but the quality is erratic.

   John W.

5. 
   mikegagne | Jul 31, 2005 03:25am | #6

   Ima, 4x8 is the American made and is sold under the Appleply name. 5x5 is the imported Finland/Russian Baltic birch and considerably cheaper and IMHO a better product.... aloha, mike

6. 
   dstevick | Jul 31, 2005 04:37pm | #7

   Ima,

   At the risk of being a rebel - you can find a similar product at Home Depot that is made in China. Its availability is not consistent but I have used it in the past and its not bad. Probably worth a look.

   Dean

7. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 31, 2005 07:47pm | #8

   There are numerous types of high quality, void free, multiply plywood.  Baltic birch is just one.  Appleply and Okume are a couple of others and all can be found in 4x8 sheets. I have used the Okume and like it a lot - nice void free panels with the high pile count just like Baltic Birch.

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
1. 
   wrudiger | Aug 01, 2005 09:39am | #9

   I just bought something my supplier calls "Finn/Euro" ply.  It is imported, 3/4x4x8 14-ply - only $110 per sheet!  For special applications only - in my case it's supporting some big ($$) slabs of granite with a large overhang so the cost was justified to get the strength and durability I needed.

1. 
   Ricks503 | Aug 01, 2005 03:47pm | #10

   Whoa!,  I get 17ply okume for $60 a sheet.  I think you should have checked around.  That seems a tad high to me.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

1. 
   wrudiger | Aug 01, 2005 05:21pm | #11

   They have Applply for less, but I was told the Finnply is better-behaved in the presence of moisture so was a better fit for this application.  I didn't even ask the price when I bought it 'cause it was what I needed - was a bit of a shock I must admit when I pulled the reciept for this post!  The only okume my supplier carries is marine - I don't even want to know the price of that!  Of course, this IS the SF Bay Area - we get special pricing on most things :-)

1. 
   Ricks503 | Aug 01, 2005 05:50pm | #12

   I live up in Portland, OR.  A year back I was courious about the differances between the various brands of premium plywood and talked to the owner of the big plywood shop I use and also wrote to 3 of the wood magazines and got pretty much the same answer from all sources.  The only differance might be the number of patches on the off face, and possibly a 1-2 pile differance at 3/4" 16-17 being normal. workability and moisture resistance are all the same unless you go with Marine grade. 

    I guess someone may make an exterior rated version which might have more resistance than standard and that that would cost more, but if so I would want to have them specify to me that it was exterior rated to justify the cost.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1