worth shopping around for plywood

[Woodmonkey]

I have been asked to make a number of boxes for a display unit in 12mm birch ply. I sent my cutting list out to three different local suppliers, the results were surprising as one said it would need 9 sheets, the second said 5 sheets and the third said 6 sheets (which turned out to be the cheapest at nearly £140 less than the next) I was also surprised by his relatively little they were charging for the cutting (100 pieces in this case) I guess the profit is in the markup on the ply. Can't see how there could be such discrepancy in the number of sheets needed. I assumed they would all be using similar cutting software (or they are just trying it on)

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Curiosity - how many sheets did you think?

 

[KevM]

Do they all treat the ply as a grained material in their calculations?

 

[Woodmonkey]

I didn't even try to work it out to be honest. With that many bits there was no way I was cutting it myself, I'm not kitted out for it.

And I did specify that grain direction was not important.

 

[rafezetter]

Woodmonkey as I also live in Bristol, I'm curious about your quotes for a supplier of decent plywood - would you mind sharing that info? you could PM me if you like.

 

[RogerS]

http://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =4&t=11256

 

[StevieB]

It would pay to check the grain direction on the cut pieces and make sure they all flow the way you think they should - you might find the cheaper quote/fewer boards have a random grain direction as they tried to minimise waste rather than paid attention to aesthetics!

Steve

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It would pay to check the grain direction on the cut pieces and make sure they all flow the way you think they should - you might find the cheaper quote/fewer boards have a random grain direction as they tried to minimise waste rather than paid attention to aesthetics!

Steve

The OP did specify it didn't matter. Someone might be pulling a fast one.

 

[Woodmonkey]

I did tell them that economy was more important than grain direction which wasn't important for this application, they may have overlooked or ignored this.

 

[Jim22]

Living in Bristol myself I also keen to know where you ended up. I stumped for Avon Ply a few weeks back for full boards of Birch ply. The Eastman's for some other bits, cheaper but the corners were all knocked about a bit.

Any recommendations would be greatly received :-D

 

[Woodmonkey]

Avon quoted over £66+vat per sheet, robbins I think were £45 and Eastman's £42 so went with Eastman's. Picked it up today and all looks fine nice clean cuts, will find out how accurate when I put it all together. Robbins seemed to think it would be more sheets than the other two.

 

[Jim22]

I thought the prices at Avon were a little higher but the quality is certainly spot on. Eastmans were almost as helpful and cheeper; would be good to hear if the cuts are right too. If they are then happy days. They even deliver for free!

Ta,
Jim