Substitute for 1/4" BB - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

pat c · 11-11-2008, 04:58 PM

Well, 1/4" and thinner. Besides BB ply does anyone have any luck gluing up and resawing solid lumber for portraits? BB is hard to come by without driving 50 miles to Woodcraft and I'm not big on buying wood online. (some things I just like to put my paws on first) although it may come to that. Hardwoods I have a source for and I still have a fair stash of white oak. I've practiced a lot on thin hardwoods making Christmas ornaments but nothing bigger than 3.5" or so. The regular 1/4" birch around here seems cup big time and the top veneer isn't all that solid (or maybe it's my cutting) Thanks Pat

Fremmed · 11-11-2008, 05:08 PM

I use poplar as a substitute. The only hard part is finding an even color.

Bill Wilson · 11-11-2008, 08:04 PM

With all but the most delicate of patterns, you can get away with any clear hardwood as a substitute for BB.

Check other local lumber suppliers. Not chain stores like Home Depot or Lowes, but a full service lumber yard that caters to cabinet makers, furniture makers, etc. They should stock BB plywood in large sheets, like 5'x5'. If there is a cabinet shop handy to you, stop in and see where they buy their BB ply.

CanadianScroller · 11-11-2008, 08:25 PM

Depending on what you are doing you can also use MDF or Hardboard as a substitute.
If you need thinner that 1/4 then I would avoid the MDF or Hardboard.
I think Bill was right by suggesting cabinet shops.
I often get reject doors from shops and if you dont want the door just cut it apart and use the panel.

11-11-2008, 04:58 PM	#1
pat c Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Woodbine,Ga Posts: 460	Substitute for 1/4" BB Well, 1/4" and thinner. Besides BB ply does anyone have any luck gluing up and resawing solid lumber for portraits? BB is hard to come by without driving 50 miles to Woodcraft and I'm not big on buying wood online. (some things I just like to put my paws on first) although it may come to that. Hardwoods I have a source for and I still have a fair stash of white oak. I've practiced a lot on thin hardwoods making Christmas ornaments but nothing bigger than 3.5" or so. The regular 1/4" birch around here seems cup big time and the top veneer isn't all that solid (or maybe it's my cutting) Thanks Pat

11-11-2008, 05:08 PM	#2
Fremmed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 880	I use poplar as a substitute. The only hard part is finding an even color. __________________ The Journey is the Reward Kevin

11-11-2008, 08:04 PM	#3
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 700	With all but the most delicate of patterns, you can get away with any clear hardwood as a substitute for BB. Check other local lumber suppliers. Not chain stores like Home Depot or Lowes, but a full service lumber yard that caters to cabinet makers, furniture makers, etc. They should stock BB plywood in large sheets, like 5'x5'. If there is a cabinet shop handy to you, stop in and see where they buy their BB ply. __________________ Homer : "Oh, and how is education supposed to make me feel smarter. Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain."

11-11-2008, 08:25 PM	#4
CanadianScroller Moderator CUT IT OUT Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada Posts: 3,904 Blog Entries: 12	Depending on what you are doing you can also use MDF or Hardboard as a substitute. If you need thinner that 1/4 then I would avoid the MDF or Hardboard. I think Bill was right by suggesting cabinet shops. I often get reject doors from shops and if you dont want the door just cut it apart and use the panel. __________________ CAЯL HIRD-RUTTEЯ "proud member of the best scroll sawing forum on the net." Ryobi SC180VS scroll saw EX21

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