Baltic Plywood

[Paul Barrett]

This term seesm to be widely used in the USA - not so much in the UK, so finding a supplier is tricky. Local timer merchant doesn't recognise the term but suggests that, geographically, their Latvian Ply would seem a likley substitute.

All I can deduce is that Baltic Ply seems to be a high quality, thin veneer, birch faced ply.

That said, my local timber merchant only sells it in 8' x 4' sheets. I see various on-line stores selling birch faced ply in small pieces 24" x 18" which are the right size but is it the right quality I wonder?

Any one have any experience of this material please?

 

[WoodStoat]

As long as it has been properly laminated (which only time will tell), it's the quality of the surface veneer which counts, as any ply (unless it is to be used outdoors, in which case only genuine Marine Ply will do - beware as a lot of suppliers sell WBP - water and boil proof [it isn't] ply as marine) will have enough strength, provided it's thick enough.

Given variations in boards, you'd be better buying it yourself - does your local supplier have a panel saw to slice it up? Big B&Q branches tend to do this, and don't charge for the service as a rule.

 

[Paul Barrett]

As long as it has been properly laminated (which only time will tell), it's the quality of the surface veneer which counts, as any ply (unless it is to be used outdoors, in which case only genuine Marine Ply will do - beware as a lot of suppliers sell WBP - water and boil proof [it isn't] ply as marine) will have enough strength, provided it's thick enough.

Given variations in boards, you'd be better buying it yourself - does your local supplier have a panel saw to slice it up? Big B&Q branches tend to do this, and don't charge for the service as a rule.

Right - I am using it for toy making which means that quality of the material is essential. Fine veneers throughout the material are necessary. I exaggerate, but wafer thin exterior veneers and chip butty sized interior ones will not cut it, if you see what I mean, because the chances of rough surfaces / voids increase - and little fingers could get hurt.

But you raise a good point. I should go investigate what B&Q have to offer before I go overboard about finding a specialist supplier

 

[Good Surname or what ?]

B&Q (Reading)have 19mm Birch Ply. Sadly they don't stock 12mm which is what I want.

Arnold Laver Timberworld (not sure if there is one near you http://www.laver.co.uk/location.asp) do stock both but they don't offer a while-you-wait cutting service like B&Q. It's order and collect 2-3 days later.

Phil

 

[Scrit]

There is a world of difference between Finnish, Latvian and Russian or Chinese birch plywood (in descending order of quality). The Finnish is by far and away the best but becoming increasingly difficult to source (in the North West I'd recommend Pennine Timber at Stakehill Industrial Estate, nr. Middleton, Manchester - but you have to collect and they don't cut). The thinner materials are frequently available in "furniture manufacturing" size, i.e. 5 x 5 ft (1500 mm square) - I believe that this size is peculiar to the Finnish mills and it is a very useful size to have for component making. As to the qualities, well you'll never see A-grade, only S-grade or B-grades either of which are suitable for toymaking - BB and below are not really show grades and should be rejected. If you are buying this stuff I'd suggest trying to find a specialist plywood supplier rather than a general timber merchant - the price won't be much different, but the knowledge of the product will be much greater.

Scrit

 

[johnnyb]

good useful thread this,
plywood is expounded in american literature for everything but the different types and qualities peculiar to the uk are confusing.(and different) ps my experince of b and q ply is not good. i brought amounts of 9mm ply from there and i was very warped. it is called palma ply? when people complained they swapped it breifly for better quality after complaints and drop off in sales but now it is back to banana ply!!! ps the sawing service is outstanding as is the cost. the thicker ply seems flatter at least.

 

[Paul Barrett]

There is a world of difference between Finnish, Latvian and Russian or Chinese birch plywood (in descending order of quality). The Finnish is by far and away the best but becoming increasingly difficult to source (in the North West I'd recommend Pennine Timber at Stakehill Industrial Estate, nr. Middleton, Manchester - but you have to collect and they don't cut). The thinner materials are frequently available in "furniture manufacturing" size, i.e. 5 x 5 ft (1500 mm square) - I believe that this size is peculiar to the Finnish mills and it is a very useful size to have for component making. As to the qualities, well you'll never see A-grade, only S-grade or B-grades either of which are suitable for toymaking - BB and below are not really show grades and should be rejected. If you are buying this stuff I'd suggest trying to find a specialist plywood supplier rather than a general timber merchant - the price won't be much different, but the knowledge of the product will be much greater.

Scrit

That's really useful info Scrit. More useful stuff in a couple of paras than have been able to find to date. Thank you.

I may have to compromise here because I have, so far been unable to find any specialist suppliers in the North East. Plus. to be honest, if the timber merchant in my home town is aware and able to source, Latvian ply, whcih is at the higher end of your ranking, then it might be better to settle for that, because the convenience of having the supplier a mile away is almost to good to be true!

 

[Paul Barrett]

good useful thread this,
plywood is expounded in american literature for everything but the different types and qualities peculiar to the uk are confusing.(and different) ps my experince of b and q ply is not good. i brought amounts of 9mm ply from there and i was very warped. it is called palma ply? when people complained they swapped it breifly for better quality after complaints and drop off in sales but now it is back to banana ply!!! ps the sawing service is outstanding as is the cost. the thicker ply seems flatter at least.

Thnaks for the info. OK - well I may just settle for Latvian - see my reply to Scrit. But I have to go to B&Q on Friday anyway so there will be no harm in at least looking. And if that fails I can call in at my local supplier on the way back and order some Latvian.

 

[SimonA]

Hi Paul,

There are a few other people in the North East if you'd like to give them a try and don't mind travelling into the newcastle area?

Robert Duncan, Felling Industrial estate, Gateshead.
Mainly deals with softwood, hardwood and standard sheet material.
http://www.robertduncan.co.uk/

James Latham, Felling Industrial estate, Gateshead.
Mainly deals with veneered boards and more specialist sheet material.
http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/

These two are opposite each other.

Arnold Laver Timberworld, Hebburn.
Mainly deals with veneered boards and more sheet material.
http://www.laver.co.uk/

Hope this helps

SimonA

 

[MIGNAL]

Arnold Laver mainly sell Latvian ply and the quality is OK, generally speaking you will see some voids but they tend to be on the small side. They do also stock the higher quality Finnish ply but as Scrit said it comes in 5 X 5.

 

[pewe]

I know of a company that supplies Finnish Spruce ply in 2440 x 1220 x 18mm boards at £20 + vat. They also cut to size.
They are based in the south but I think they have a sister company in the north (including Newcastle) and can deliver.

If this is of any interest I can see if I can get the name and contact details of the northern company for you from my contact.

 

[Gill]

If this is of any interest I can see if I can get the name and contact details of the northern company for you from my contact.

It's of interest, it's of interest!



Gill

 

[Paul Barrett]

Hi Paul,

There are a few other people in the North East if you'd like to give them a try and don't mind travelling into the newcastle area?

Robert Duncan, Felling Industrial estate, Gateshead.
Mainly deals with softwood, hardwood and standard sheet material.
http://www.robertduncan.co.uk/

James Latham, Felling Industrial estate, Gateshead.
Mainly deals with veneered boards and more specialist sheet material.
http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/

These two are opposite each other.

Arnold Laver Timberworld, Hebburn.
Mainly deals with veneered boards and more sheet material.
http://www.laver.co.uk/

Hope this helps

SimonA

OK - well as the first two are opposite each other and not far from B&Q I will take a look.

 

[pewe]

It's of interest, it's of interest!

Ok I'll try and get the info tomorrow.

 

[pewe]

I know of a company that supplies Finnish Spruce ply in 2440 x 1220 x 18mm boards at £20 + vat.

The company is William Eden who have branches in the South (Coventry down) Website.

Their sister company in the north is called MLM and their Newcastle branch number is 0191 2653021.

You'll need to call them for detailed prices and delivery charges.

 

[LyNx]

You may find the "spruce" finnish ply is more of a structural plywood, this is why it's cheaper.

 

[Scrit]

You may find the "spruce" finnish ply is more of a structural plywood, this is why it's cheaper.

I agree - the operative word for a material suitable for children's furniture is BIRCH - which will run you £28 to £60 + VAT per 8 x 4 ft x 18mm sheet (depending on grade, number of plies, etc). Spruce is used for cladding and sheathing concrete.

Scrit

 

[pewe]

I agree - the operative word for a material suitable for children's furniture is BIRCH -

The companies I quoted also do Finnish Birch Ply in 1220 x 2440 in thicknesses from 4mm to 24mm at prices from £12.50 to £35, and boards in 1525 x 3050 from £21 to £58

You really need their catalogue to see the full range they do.

I have just ordered some 2800 x 2070 sheets of EGGER MFC for some carcass work from them at £28 per sheet.

 

[Paul Barrett]

Their sister company in the north is called MLM and their Newcastle branch number is 0191 2653021.

You'll need to call them for detailed prices and delivery charges.

For anyone looking for MLM, it's http://www.mlmuk.com or Montague L Meyer. Web searches get messed up by 'Multi Level Marketing'