18 mil 8x4 sheets, b/bb grade £45 inclusive of delivery, (i'm buying minimal sheets so no bulk discounts). Sound reasonable? Sorry for spam type post but I've done some serious research to get to this point. Why's it so hard to source?!? :| Local firm, http://www.jennortimber.co.uk/
Quick price check on Baltic birch ply
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Just been quoted £48, don't buy it very often.
Cheers Peter
Cheers Peter
custard
Established Member
What grade is your 18mm birch ply, and what do you want it for?
£45 including delivery sounds cheap for the best B grade, and a bit of a bargain even for BB grade. But if this is for show then you really want B/BB or at a pinch S/BB.
Even for painting you can find yourself hitting problems if you drop much below BB, ply grading isn't just about patches and defects, the better grades come ready sanded and have tighter grained show plies that can be sanded to a smoother surface.
But if it's for jigs or hidden components then you might be able to save a few quid and drop to C grade. There's quite a pricing spread with birch ply and you can't really say if something's good value or not without knowing the grade. I'm seeing birch ply pricing moving up sharply recently, maybe due to the fall in the pound, maybe due to a pick up in global demand, but I'm struggling to find the grades I want at under about £60 a sheet for 18mm.
http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/downloads ... ywood-.pdf
Another thing about ply, I've been bitten in the past by buying supposed bargains only to find it was badly stored by the retailer and had warped. Now I only buy from the big names, I probably pay a bit more but I'd rather that than struggle with panels that are as rippled as a lettuce leaf!
£45 including delivery sounds cheap for the best B grade, and a bit of a bargain even for BB grade. But if this is for show then you really want B/BB or at a pinch S/BB.
Even for painting you can find yourself hitting problems if you drop much below BB, ply grading isn't just about patches and defects, the better grades come ready sanded and have tighter grained show plies that can be sanded to a smoother surface.
But if it's for jigs or hidden components then you might be able to save a few quid and drop to C grade. There's quite a pricing spread with birch ply and you can't really say if something's good value or not without knowing the grade. I'm seeing birch ply pricing moving up sharply recently, maybe due to the fall in the pound, maybe due to a pick up in global demand, but I'm struggling to find the grades I want at under about £60 a sheet for 18mm.
http://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/downloads ... ywood-.pdf
Another thing about ply, I've been bitten in the past by buying supposed bargains only to find it was badly stored by the retailer and had warped. Now I only buy from the big names, I probably pay a bit more but I'd rather that than struggle with panels that are as rippled as a lettuce leaf!
Thanks Custard, I'm still not entirely clear if one face is B and the other is BB. Not sure that is even an available option, 
I've never bought birch ply before tbh. Jennor Timber is not that far from me and I've driven past it a few times without ever going in (it's a big old site, trade based supply I'm guessing). Website is a bit sparse in details so I stopped looking at the internet like a div and just phoned them up. Asked if they had baltic pirch ply in various sizes etc at B and BB grades. Guy was very friendly and confirmed they had plenty, asked for delivery options and location. 'Oh you're just round the corner, call it £45 a sheet delivered.'
I will pop in this week to have a look around on the way home from work.
Perhaps it will turn out to be nasty void filled rubbish, but from the guys reaction my initial thoughts are that he was on the ball. Won't know till I see it I suppose. Will keep you updated.
It's destined for some (painted) alcove units I'm going to have a go at in the front room. More Tommy Walsh than Thomas Chippendale. :? Was going to use water resistant mdf but the more I worried about certain aspects of construction and my lack of appropriates, I began to look at the ply. When I saw the Travis Perkins prices for said MDF it didn't take much working out mate.
There's a link here to the plans. alcove-units-again-can-i-get-some-advice-please-t104079.html Following the design advice of the ever knowledgeable and patient Robin, they need to be adapted slightly but the general idea is there. The longer I'm on this site the more I suspect that some members might actually know what they are on about and do this stuff for a living.... :shock: Whatever next?!? (hammer)
Cheers as always
Chris
I've never bought birch ply before tbh. Jennor Timber is not that far from me and I've driven past it a few times without ever going in (it's a big old site, trade based supply I'm guessing). Website is a bit sparse in details so I stopped looking at the internet like a div and just phoned them up. Asked if they had baltic pirch ply in various sizes etc at B and BB grades. Guy was very friendly and confirmed they had plenty, asked for delivery options and location. 'Oh you're just round the corner, call it £45 a sheet delivered.' I will pop in this week to have a look around on the way home from work.
Perhaps it will turn out to be nasty void filled rubbish, but from the guys reaction my initial thoughts are that he was on the ball. Won't know till I see it I suppose. Will keep you updated.
It's destined for some (painted) alcove units I'm going to have a go at in the front room. More Tommy Walsh than Thomas Chippendale. :? Was going to use water resistant mdf but the more I worried about certain aspects of construction and my lack of appropriates, I began to look at the ply. When I saw the Travis Perkins prices for said MDF it didn't take much working out mate.
There's a link here to the plans. alcove-units-again-can-i-get-some-advice-please-t104079.html Following the design advice of the ever knowledgeable and patient Robin, they need to be adapted slightly but the general idea is there. The longer I'm on this site the more I suspect that some members might actually know what they are on about and do this stuff for a living.... :shock: Whatever next?!? (hammer)
Cheers as always
Chris
custard
Established Member
Hello Chris, B/BB is a very common grade of ply, you'll be able to tell the two faces apart just by touch, the BB face will be sanded smooth, and it will also have noticeably fewer patches and defects (like pin knots or resin pockets). B/BB is a good choice for painting and £45 is a good price to pay.
Good luck!
Good luck!
