Canuck Bob Posted October 6, 2013 Posted October 6, 2013 I notice that Baltic Birch is often recommended. The local stuff is quite nice but the glue line is not dark like the regular outdoor plywoods. Is this a concern? Quote
Kudzu Posted October 6, 2013 Posted October 6, 2013 Not with me. Seriously I have never paid any attention to the glue line color but I doubt seriously that means much. If it is true Russian made Baltic birch I have never heard of anyone having it fail. I learned about it from a telescope maker. Started doing some reading and I have read nothing but good from the people that actually have used it. You will find some naysayers but all I have run into have never used it. Quote
Canuck Bob Posted October 7, 2013 Author Posted October 7, 2013 Thanks Jeff, I've used the ply on small projects and really enjoy working with it compared to box store ply or even fir marine ply. Quote
Hirilonde Posted October 7, 2013 Posted October 7, 2013 Marine Fir plywood is the same stuff sold as AC or AB fir only the wood is preserved a bit more. So to sum up it is well preserved garbage. Quote
Canuck Bob Posted October 7, 2013 Author Posted October 7, 2013 Marine Fir plywood is the same stuff sold as AC or AB fir only the wood is preserved a bit more. So to sum up it is well preserved garbage. Amen, I felt floor underlay ply was better stuff but too thin. I assumed we got the dregs because Calgary is a no marine town! Quote
woodman Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Stick a piece of BB out side to be exposed to the elements for a half dozen years like I have and watch it not delaminate! I made a 17.5 foot S&G out of 1/8'' BB this year plenty strong....and have used the 3/8 on several SOF builds for the frames..... The smell of the dust when cutting it is very distinctive because it brought back memories of my 7th grade woodshop class back in 1966... Quote
mks Posted November 3, 2013 Posted November 3, 2013 I was told by my local lumber store after many phone calls that the 5'x5' (actually 1.5 meters square) is interior grade baltic birch that does not use water proof glue. The 4'x8' sheets are exterior grade and use water proof glue. You might want to confirm with your local suppliers M Quote
Hirilonde Posted November 3, 2013 Posted November 3, 2013 I know of no plywood made on earth that does not use waterproof glue, including all of the interior plywoods. So my first impression would be that this guy doesn't know what he is talking about. Ask him for some documentation for the products he sells. Baltic Birch plywood is made for high end cabinet and furniture applications. It just happens to last a long time exposed to the elements and meet the structural needs of SOF kayaks and canoes. Quote
mitchmellow Posted November 4, 2013 Posted November 4, 2013 With a quick google search I've found a website that sells and a forum that describes interior Baltic birch with "type ll glue" (interior glue). I have also looked at an exterior plywood locally that uses urea formaldehyde glue (type ll), which the spec sheet describes as water resistant, not water proof. Phenolic glues (type 1) are described as water proof. Personally, I would get the specs before assuming that all Baltic birch uses exterior glue or that all plywoods use waterproof glue. The specs should say Type 1 or phenolic glue to be waterproof. As the old saying goes, let the buyer beware. Quote
woodman Posted November 4, 2013 Posted November 4, 2013 At any rate... the glue used in the scarf joints would give up to water ,way before the plywood .... Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.