Baltic Birch

[CapecodJohn]

For those who are looking in the north east for Baltic birch

I just ordered 2 sheets of  5' x 5'  1/2 inch BB  from Mid Cape Home center Dennis, Ma  (New England Building Supply) the "special order" was  $110

[Hirilonde]

Arnold Lumber in southern RI stocks it in 1/2" and sells for app $50.  (I get contractor price, not sure what retail is. The difference is not very much.)  So your special order seems to have come without a special price.  It was likely an in stock item for their plywood source.

[mks]

When I researched getting Baltic Birch my local store here in north-east Ohio discovered that the 5x5 sheets available from their supplier were interior grade and thus used water soluble glue. I got a 4x8 sheet for $70. I have already used half of one sheet and never saw an interior void.

[Hirilonde]

When I researched getting Baltic Birch my local store here in north-east Ohio discovered that the 5x5 sheets available from their supplier were interior grade and thus used water soluble glue

I doubt it was made with water soluable glue.  I don't know of any plywood that is.  Interior grade just means it was not manufactured to stand up to exterior use nor guaranteed for 6 month exposure like sheathing for a house.  And it might very well last longer.   Forest products grading is weird.  It takes a lot of research to understand it, and just when you think you do you find another stamp you never heard of.  Baltic Birch is designed and made to be a furniture grade plywood, and that is what my lumber supplier sells it as..  None of it was designed to be used for kayaks.  It just so happens that it works very well.

[mks]

My lumber supplier was shocked by this as well. The 5x5 sheets are actually 1.5 meter square and apparently come from europe where such distinctions may be still used. But they phoned around various (their) suppliers to confirm that. I can only trust those guys who work with the stuff all day. I am quite happy with the 4x8 sheet I got which was confirmed exterior grade.

[Hirilonde]

Keep in mind that by the use of Baltic Birch for describing the plywood that all it means it that Baltic Birch was used in making it.  It tells you nothing about glue, lamination thickness, knots, voids, etc..  We who use it in lieu of BS 1088 marine are using the stuff with 9 laminations in 1/2" ply. no knots and few if any and small voids.  It is these thin integral laminations that make it so good.

[Bzonic]

Greetings - first time poster and about to build a Curlew from the KudzuCraft book I just bought.  I'm also trying to track down the plywood mentioned above so when I saw that MKS was in the northeast Ohio area I wanted to chime in. I live in Garfield Heights so I was curious what supplier MKS was referring to.  MKS - can you tell me the name of that place?  Thanks!

[P Doug (WA)]

Just a suggestion, based on my experience.  When I needed Baltic Birch, I assumed I couldn't get it locally, I live in a relativity small (population wise) area.  So I traveled 300 miles, round trip to get some.  Next time I needed some I thought what the heck I'll check locally first.  First I tried a unfinished furniture place, yep they carried it, tried a couple lumber yards and yep they had it or could get it for me.  All within 20 miles from where I live, and all within a couple dollars a sheet of where I traveled all that way to buy it.  It is or may be  worth sitting down with a phone book and "letting the fingers do the walking". 

[Kudzu]

And don't limit your search to the big box stores. Cabinet shops are the main users and they buy from a big warehouse somewhere that specializes in wood.  These kind of places don't advertise and you probably never knew they were there.  Internet searches are the way I find them.Some will sell to anyone and some will require a Business Lic. or tax number. That will vary but the ones I have dealt with just want my money. 

 

Most will not take time to hand hold. You need to know what you want. They are used to selling to pro's so don't expect much advice if any!

[HBREW]

Does anyone know of a supplier of Baltic Birch in the Georgia - Alabama area? Have struck out in my search.

Thanks