Need Advice Wood choice?

[NCJim]

Many my projects I use 1/8" or 1/4" material. I like baltic birch but baltic birch hard to find in the Randleman, NC area and many wood suppliers try to sell me "sanded" birch plywood. So what is the difference? Any suggestions on what to use other than a hardwood?

 

[ScottM]

I buy my Baltic Birch at the Hardwood Store in Gibsonville. For me it is a two hour drive each way which I typically do once or twice a year. I bring my wife along and take her to lunch. It is a win win for me. In my opinion there is no comparison between sanded birch and Baltic Birch except they are both plywood.

 

[Oka]

Baltic Birch refers to an all birch 13 ply for 3/4, 11 ply for 1/2, etc. sanded birch is usually 7 ply for 3/4 and the inner core will be spruce, pine, fir
The latter is a much lower grade of ply

 

[ScottM]

I find that the top ply on Baltic Birch is thicker than sanded birch and Baltic Birch does not have any voids in the inner ply’s.

 

[NCJim]

Thank you Scott. I will try The Hardware Store again. I did go to The Hardware Store in Lexington during the Grand Opening and they were rude and not very helpful. I'll try the the Gibsonville location as they are both about the same distance from my home in Randleman.
Do you know if they stock the 1/8 & 1/4" Baltic Birch? Or is it special order? What size sheets did you buy if I may ask?
Thank you again for your help.
Jim
Randleman, NC

 

[NCJim]

Baltic Birch refers to an all birch 13 ply for 3/4, 11 ply for 1/2, etc. sanded birch is usually 7 ply for 3/4 and the inner core will be spruce, pine, fir
The latter is a much lower grade of ply

Thank you.

 

[Wilsoncb]

Thank you Scott. I will try The Hardware Store again. I did go to The Hardware Store in Lexington during the Grand Opening and they were rude and not very helpful. I'll try the the Gibsonville location as they are both about the same distance from my home in Randleman.
Do you know if they stock the 1/8 & 1/4" Baltic Birch? Or is it special order? What size sheets did you buy if I may ask?
Thank you again for your help.
Jim
Randleman, NC

They typically have both 5 x 5 sheets or 4 x 8 marine grade in stock, but give them a call before you go. I have found 5 x 5 sheets at Steve Wall in Mayodan, for less than HWS, but the 1/4” is not as flat there.

 

[NCJim]

They typically have both 5 x 5 sheets or 4 x 8 marine grade in stock, but give them a call before you go. I have found 5 x 5 sheets at Steve Wall in Mayodan, for less than HWS, but the 1/4” is not as flat there.

I went on the Steve Wall site and I like that you can buy 12" x 18" & 24 "of the 1/8" & 1/4' Baltic Birch. They are about an hour drive from me and Both HWS are about 45 Minutes. Thank you again.

 

[ScottM]

Thank you Scott. I will try The Hardware Store again. I did go to The Hardware Store in Lexington during the Grand Opening and they were rude and not very helpful. I'll try the the Gibsonville location as they are both about the same distance from my home in Randleman.
Do you know if they stock the 1/8 & 1/4" Baltic Birch? Or is it special order? What size sheets did you buy if I may ask?
Thank you again for your help.
Jim
Randleman, NC

They sell BB in 5x5 sheets. Normally they have it in stock but you can call ahead to confirm. They will rip sheets for you if you need. I find that their other plywood is better than the stuff you get at Lowe’s or Home Depot.