Choosing A Good Plywood - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Scrolling Days · 01-26-2009, 11:31 PM

What I have learned so far is that there are a ton of plywoods out there varying in all types of species and thicknesses. I am working mainly with 1/4' wood, and have used some Baltic Birch and Airplane plywood to this point.

What are some of your favorite types of ply to work with? Are there advantages/disadvantages? When working with 1/4'' plywood, are the other species produced with nice five-layer cross sections like the Baltic Birch?

And also, what benefit is acheived with "two good sides" vs. "one good side" if only one side is showing? Is there a noticable difference in the cross section appearance or the integrity of the product after cutting?

Thanks!

-Shawn

utbva · 01-26-2009, 11:39 PM

Shawn, I just answered your question in another thread, but I will give my 2 cents worth here as well. I like to use okoume when I can. It is more expensive than the BB but it cuts easier and my blades last much longer as well. It is also known as marine grade plywood. It looks like mahogany and does have a nice grain texture. It does have 5 plies and I have not had any with voids. I also just found another suppier that has some with 3 plies and the center ply looks like it could be poplar. It is about 1/4 of the cost of the other that I use. I have not tried it yet but I will buy some soon and see how well it works.

unixpro · 01-27-2009, 01:44 AM

We've got a place around here called Crosscut Hardwoods that sells a wide variety of veneered plywoods, so I've got a lot to pick from. They carry everything from standard BB to walnut, maple, apple, etc. Very good stuff.

I usually go for the A/A plywood just because it's generally only a little more expensive than the A/B, and it feels (to me) like better stuff overall. I have found some voids in the A/B I've tried, but almost never in the A/A. As always, your mileage may vary.

Mick Walker · 01-30-2009, 07:59 PM

Shawn, I can see no reason to use 1/4" plywood good on 2 sides unless you are doing fretwork where both sides will be showing. I use mostly 1/8" and !/4" Finnish birch plywood. Sometimes it will have plugs on the back side but never any voids. The glue lines on the Finnish wood are darker because they use exterior glue. I get most of my wood from Wildwood designs as they are just a couple miles from me.

minowevie · 01-30-2009, 11:29 PM

Shawn, the only things I look for is the vener on the out sides, how thick it is, and the filler. core you might say. does it have voieds. I love the 5 ply 1/4" that gives a good core. and the other. about the same wood on both sides. that is cool if you can find it. but my main thing is the vener. how thick it is. I can live with a differant wood on one side. on my projects. but it is nice if you can find all of it. and get the same wood on both sides. hope this helped some your friend Evie

01-26-2009, 11:31 PM	#1
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,562 Blog Entries: 5	Choosing A Good Plywood What I have learned so far is that there are a ton of plywoods out there varying in all types of species and thicknesses. I am working mainly with 1/4' wood, and have used some Baltic Birch and Airplane plywood to this point. What are some of your favorite types of ply to work with? Are there advantages/disadvantages? When working with 1/4'' plywood, are the other species produced with nice five-layer cross sections like the Baltic Birch? And also, what benefit is acheived with "two good sides" vs. "one good side" if only one side is showing? Is there a noticable difference in the cross section appearance or the integrity of the product after cutting? Thanks! -Shawn

01-26-2009, 11:39 PM	#2
utbva Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Centerville, Utah Posts: 832	Shawn, I just answered your question in another thread, but I will give my 2 cents worth here as well. I like to use okoume when I can. It is more expensive than the BB but it cuts easier and my blades last much longer as well. It is also known as marine grade plywood. It looks like mahogany and does have a nice grain texture. It does have 5 plies and I have not had any with voids. I also just found another suppier that has some with 3 plies and the center ply looks like it could be poplar. It is about 1/4 of the cost of the other that I use. I have not tried it yet but I will buy some soon and see how well it works. __________________ Bill I have an RBI Hawk 220-3 VS

01-30-2009, 07:59 PM	#4
Mick Walker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 1,492	Shawn, I can see no reason to use 1/4" plywood good on 2 sides unless you are doing fretwork where both sides will be showing. I use mostly 1/8" and !/4" Finnish birch plywood. Sometimes it will have plugs on the back side but never any voids. The glue lines on the Finnish wood are darker because they use exterior glue. I get most of my wood from Wildwood designs as they are just a couple miles from me. __________________ Mick, - Delta P-20 The future ain't what it used to be.

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01-27-2009, 01:44 AM	#3
unixpro I need more weekend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Seattle Area Posts: 693	We've got a place around here called Crosscut Hardwoods that sells a wide variety of veneered plywoods, so I've got a lot to pick from. They carry everything from standard BB to walnut, maple, apple, etc. Very good stuff. I usually go for the A/A plywood just because it's generally only a little more expensive than the A/B, and it feels (to me) like better stuff overall. I have found some voids in the A/B I've tried, but almost never in the A/A. As always, your mileage may vary.

01-30-2009, 11:29 PM	#5
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,297	Shawn, the only things I look for is the vener on the out sides, how thick it is, and the filler. core you might say. does it have voieds. I love the 5 ply 1/4" that gives a good core. and the other. about the same wood on both sides. that is cool if you can find it. but my main thing is the vener. how thick it is. I can live with a differant wood on one side. on my projects. but it is nice if you can find all of it. and get the same wood on both sides. hope this helped some your friend Evie