Baltic Birch Questions

[rcp612]

I'm in need of a small amount of baltic birch plywood and there is no where close to home to buy it. So, Woodcraft has Finnish Birch 1/2"X12"X30" for $12.99. But, Rockler has Baltic Birch, the same size, for $4.99.
I do understand the Baltic/Finnish name differance, but what is different between these two? Looks right now like Rockler gets my business unless you guys can tell me something about this.
Thanks in advance

[DaveW]

I've read that Finnish Birch uses glues that hold up outdoors, but I've also read snippets from these plywood manufacturers that claims both hold up outdoors.

I believe the plies on Finnish birch are "darker" if that means anything to your project.

[radhak]

I'd say that's a no-brainer : those rockler rates are even decent, for a change.

somewhat off-thread : if i recall my netiquette, ALL CAPITALS IS CALLED 'YELLING', so should all bold be the equivalent of low tone but with gritted teeth ?

I am sure you did not mean to grit your teeth, but I did get distracted a bit .

[LarryG]

I've not used the Finnish birch from Woodcraft, but have ordered the Rockler Baltic birch several times -- just got some the other day, in fact.

There are different grades of Baltic birch, just as with other types of ply. My understanding is that there are many, many grades but of those commonly available, B is the best and is essentially perfect on one face. BB is next best and allows some streaks, small knots, and patching of defects in the face veneer. And then there are a couple even lesser grades; again, similar to regular ply.

Although I don't know this for a fact, I'd guess the Rockler-sourced material to be grade BB and that this explains why it's relatively inexpensive. It's great for jigs and fixtures, drawer bodies, and shop cabinets -- much better than any material you can get at a big box store. But if you need absolute perfection on the face veneers, it's going to come up a little short.

EDIT: I forgot to say that Baltic birch is itself available with either interior or exterior glue. I don't know which the Rockler material uses. Probably interior but, again, that's just a guess.

[ironhat]

Just an aside for those who are buying their BB locally. Ask them if they are storing it directly on the floor (probably not good either) or on pallets as opposed to on a rack. The reason being is that my dealer brought my piece to me on a forklift - I was busy picking some cherry - and nothing was suspicious at all. But when I started to make my router table out of it I soon found out (not soon enough, unfortunately) that it wasn't flat. I checked the sheet and found it to be wavy. When I called them they said that they stored it on a two-fingered rack that had a couple of planks at 90* so it should be fine. I told them of my problem but they were unsympathetic. Grrrr... their the only decent hardwood dealer around for miles and at good prices so I'm not going to soil that sandbox with a harsh word. But I won't be buying BB there any time soon. Just a thought via experience.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Just an aside for those who are buying their BB locally. Ask them if they are storing it directly on the floor (probably not good either) or on pallets as opposed to on a rack. The reason being is that my dealer brought my piece to me on a forklift - I was busy picking some cherry - and nothing was suspicious at all. But when I started to make my router table out of it I soon found out (not soon enough, unfortunately) that it wasn't flat. I checked the sheet and found it to be wavy. When I called them they said that they stored it on a two-fingered rack that had a couple of planks at 90* so it should be fine. I told them of my problem but they were unsympathetic. Grrrr... their the only decent hardwood dealer around for miles and at good prices so I'm not going to soil that sandbox with a harsh word. But I won't be buying BB there any time soon. Just a thought via experience.

Where did you have that experience?

For sheet goods, Industrial Plywood Supply in Reading is just super awesome. Great selection, BEST prices in area and are willing to deal with a few sheet tupes of guys.

[ironhat]

It's a small yard run by some conservative Mennonites. Nice folks, good prices and good selection. They still run the business out of a metal box in the drawer of a desk piled high with orders, photos and wood. It's back in the country, just over the line in Hicksville, Maryland (no kidding).