Laminated Plywood: A snipe hunt?

[ashmatash]

I'm trying to find a local distributer that sells any kind of laminated plywood, but when I describe what I'm looking for to the sales guys, I might as well be speaking gibberish:
I'd really like something like this that I can use to build shop cabinets and jigs:

This stuff seems to me like coolest thing since peanut butter...why is it that the only place to get it is online?

Melamine board is garbage. Why is the concept of replacing the garbage particle board with a plywood core so elusive?

 

[Wiley's Woodworks]

That looks like a high grade of melamine shelving to me. Try the big box stores, in-store and online, then check with local building supply stores.

 

[ashmatash]

Found this at Home Depot, but it looks like a discontinued product

 

[Tarhead]

Horizon has it in 4" wide. I image they can get it in larger sizes. Call and make an appointment to pick it up.

3/4″ Birch White Face Impor White Liner HPL 2 sides – Horizon Forest Products

A&M Supply in Charlotte has this:
A&M Supply

 

[Martin Roper]

For what some of these specialty plywoods cost, it seems like it would be cost effective to buy some formica and cover a sheet of plywood yourself. The formica would be thicker and far more durable than melamine.

 

[mkepke]

Or what about medium density overlay (MDO)? Two smooth faces with a plywood core. Common for sign-making.

-Mark

 

[HITCH-]

Try Diamond Hill Plywood

Diamond Hill Plywood - The Southeast's Premier Wholesale Distributor of Building Materials & Construction Products in SC, NC, TN, & VA

Diamond Hill Plywood is a major wholesale distributor of building material and construction products to the retail and industrial market segments in SC, NC, VA, TN. We own a fleet of tractors and trailers that distributes products to 10 states in the Southeastern region of the United States.

www.diamondhillplywood.com

 

[HMH]

Laminating a sheet of standard plywood w/ Formica would likely be better quality still, (thicker/ more durable outer layer), and likely significantly cheaper.

 

[ashmatash]

Or what about medium density overlay (MDO)? Two smooth faces with a plywood core. Common for sign-making.

-Mark

Looked at some MDO at Southern Lumber earlier today. Looks like an interesting alternative to regular MDF, but the face doesn't have the durability or strain/water resistance I'm looking for. Still, thanks for the info!

 

[ashmatash]

Laminating a sheet of standard plywood w/ Formica would likely be better quality still, (thicker/ more durable outer layer), and likely significantly cheaper.

That was an option I was considering, but I didn't find it to be cheaper. Around 120 bucks for the "good" plywood without the garbage core plus another 60-80 for the formica sheet... plus glue, etc. Ends up at about the same cost as the online sheets with shipping. Still, i would probably rather take that route than having a have cut up sheet sent to me from the west coast

 

[ashmatash]

Try Diamond Hill Plywood

Diamond Hill Plywood - The Southeast's Premier Wholesale Distributor of Building Materials & Construction Products in SC, NC, TN, & VA

Diamond Hill Plywood is a major wholesale distributor of building material and construction products to the retail and industrial market segments in SC, NC, VA, TN. We own a fleet of tractors and trailers that distributes products to 10 states in the Southeastern region of the United States.

www.diamondhillplywood.com

Will call them tomorrow. Thanks for the tip!

 

[ashmatash]

Horizon has it in 4" wide. I image they can get it in larger sizes. Call and make an appointment to pick it up.

3/4″ Birch White Face Impor White Liner HPL 2 sides – Horizon Forest Products

A&M Supply in Charlotte has this:
A&M Supply

Horizon has a store in North Charleston, so they might be the answer in looking for. Will reach out to them tomorrow! Thanks for the info!!

 

[bob vaughan]

Look for at least a 7-ply core. The edges finish nicer than the 5-ply.
I've run across both two sides laminated and one side laminated. Each has advantages and disadvantaged, depending on the application.
Two side laminated is likely to be more stable, but one side means one can glue to the inside surface like casework.

 

[Rwe2156]

Ask him if he knows what Panolam is.