Plywood

[jim4321]

Hi everyone,

does anyone know of where i could get good quality plywood in small sizes. (roughly 1200mm x 600 mm). I live in Bexleyheath (soujth east london) places like B&Q do the sizes but I have never found the stuff there to be great.

I need it to make up some draw carcasses and door panels for a dresser i'm making (the dresser so far is made out of birch plywood). The stuff on show will be painted in the end, do you think the cheaper, poorer quality stuff would be OK for this?



cheers

Jim

 

[jasonB]

I don't usually buy panel products from them but South London hardwoods will sell half sheets either 4x4 or 2x8 and also have a cut to size service.

You will be best off using birch ply which has no voids.

http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/

Jason

 

[dedee]

Jim, a bit closer to you is Alsford, the one I use is on the Ruxley roundabout but I am sure they have branches either in Bexleheath or Welling - have a look on the website

http://www.alsfordtimber.com/

You will have to buy a whole sheet but they will cut it for you and I am sure you will find other uses beyond your current project.

Andy

 

[edmund]

I use SL Hardwoods for all my supplies where I need quality wood. Their standard size for baltic birch ply is 8'x4'.

As well as Alsford there is also Merton timber http://www.mertontimber.com/branches.php, haven't tried them myself but it's an option.

E

 

[wizer]

Jim whatever you do, do not use Alsford in Welling.. They provide a terrible terrible service. My last batch of sheet material from them was dinged, scratched and the order was all wrong. I'm sure they are good for 'Site' timber, but for the furniture maker.. steer clear.

Waterhead37 recomended a local company for sheet material but the name has slipped my mind. I am sure he will be along soon.

 

[Freetochat]

There is always Silvermans in Basildon, they hold a very big stock, but don't know about the cutting. http://www.silverman.co.uk

 

[dedee]

Wizer,
Sorry you did not have the same success with Alsford as I have had both at Ruxley and Beckenham. The Birch thoughout ply in 1/2" and 3/4" that I have had was void free with excellant surfaces. I do admit that I knew more about birch ply than the guys in the shop but they were able to order and supply without problems.

Andy

 

[jasonB]

The problem with using the timber merchants such as Alsford, Travis, SLH etc is that they do not keep the quality boards in stock. They buy them in to meet your order so the boards are double handled, stored in their site for a day or two then delivered on the same truck as fence panels, carcasing etc. This all leads to damage.

If you want good boards, sequentially straight off the pallet then you need to go to a panel specialist such as Silvermans or my local Richard Russel

It is usually cheaper going direct so long as you are ordering a few boards at a time.

Jason

 

[wizer]

I do admit that I knew more about birch ply than the guys in the shop

I think that's the problem. As a novice I knew less than them. IMHO they shouldn't sell what they don't understand. However, thinking about it, I have used Alsford on 3 occaisions and all three had some sort of problem that was Alsfords fault. Obviously this seems to be specifically a Welling branch problem.

sorry, i'm wandering OT

 

[jim4321]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the replies, I have used Alsford Timber in Welling before (its about a 3 minute walk from me) and agree that the service there is terrible. It should be great having an Alsford so close. but in the past when i did my decking project I went to the alsford at Ruxley and they were brilliant. Welling alsford seems to be run by a bunch of lads who really don't want to be there. where as ruxley staff seem to be a little older and went out of the way to help me calculate exactly what i needed. And they dont mind delivering even though i live right next door to welling alsford (they actually like to rub their noses in it a little.

Think im going to have a liitle drive to SLhardwoods on saturday, ive wanted to have a look round for ages.

By the Wizer, ive just noticed your picture by your name, you didn't happen to be a Brian Bantocks even class at welling school this year just gone did you??

Thanks again

Jim

 

[wizer]

yes Jim, thought i recognised your table. I'm signed up for another year.

 

[tim]

yes Jim, thought i recognised your table. I'm signed up for another year.

Aaaah! Saw the 'back to school' sign in Sainsbury's the other day - hope you two have got your new fluffy pencil cases! :lol:

Have you tried Eden's? They will cut to size and like Russels as jasonB says are 'direct' suppliers.

Another thought is to look in Yellow Pages and try a couple of large joiners/ wood works. Maybe better if you just turn up but I bet they will cut stuff down for you

Cheers

Tim

 

[wizer]

heh Tim, when Jim said Welling School, he meant the night school

 

[Alf]

heh Tim, when Jim said Welling School, he meant the night school

Ah, so glow in the dark pencil cases would be better then...? :lol:

 

[jim4321]

Dont think I could bear going back to school for real. 2 hours on a wednesday is enough for me.

I hope to go back next year but haven't signed up yet. should really pull my finger out or there wont be any places left

cheers

Jim