3/4" Marine Plywood - good price?

[RodKirby]

I finally used up my stock of 3/4" marine plywood and had a real hassle finding some more. The place I used to get, now offer a cheaper variety with an awfull dark red color front and back (imported from the UK).

Top quality 3/4" Marine ply with Hoop Pine front and back (beautiful figured pale yellow) is actually manufactured in Queensland! Two states away from me!

The problem is, not many people are prepared to pay the price for "retail" sizes (say 4' x 2') .

Anyway, I went searching for an 8' x 4' sheet - HUGE differences in price. Ended up getting a sheet from a cabinet maker only 2 miles from me - AND - found another guy 1 mile from me who cut it into 4 pieces - for FREE

Total cost (8' x 4') was US$160 I'm a happy WW - is this a good price in the US?

Note: I figure this will see me out

[jackellis]

I don't know what marine plywood costs here but I can buy a sheet of usable 3/4" maple or birch ply from Home Depot for about US$40. Not great quality but better than the A-B ply used for exterior sheathing.

I think I remember seeing cabinet ply in a place nearby that sells to cabinetmakers for something like $3/SF, or $96 for a 4x8 sheet.

One place that sells what appears to be premium grade marine plywood with some prices:

http://www.marine-plywood.us/pricing.htm

Another one here:

http://www.noahsmarine.com/United_St...ed_states.html

I guess $160 is on the high side but not outrageously so compared with the above samples.

[LCHIEN]

What exactly is "Marine Plywood"?

Wikipedia (user contributed knowledge online encyclopedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_plywood
basically says its plywood that has water resistant capabilities and higher quality, void free, etc. But doesn't really specify #plys or veneer types.
It lists a british spec and also says some are make with okoume or meranti woods.
Some sites show ther "marine plywood" as having outer veneers of teak and or Cypress which are water and rot resistant.

Rod's pictures have always shown multple fine layers which I don't see in the descriptions I just looked up, Rod's looked more like what I see as Baltic Birch plywood which is European and costly and generally sold in 5x5 sheets or fractions.

Anyway, wikipedia article suggested $70-100 for 1/2" 4'x8' Marine plywood, about 3x the price of run of the mill plywood.

Oddly enough while wikipedia had an article on marine plywwod, it did not have baltic birch plywood or finnish plywood.

[eezlock]

marine plywood...

Rod,
I agree that marine plywood is toooo... expensive, it is that way here also!
I wanted to buy a sheet of it 4 years ago..from a local lumber yard, after he quoted the price for a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" I backed off that in a hurry!

I wound up buying another grade of plywood that is used for exterior decking
that can stand up to moisture and not separate, for about half the cost and works just as well for the intended application (replacement boat decking).

Cabinet grade plywood is what I use for a lot of projects. I like it and it works
well most of the time. I use some of it in shop projects as well, makes a nice
looking job when finished up. eezlock

[RodKirby]

What exactly is "Marine Plywood"?
Rod's pictures have always shown multple fine layers...

My definition: Multiple fine layers, very flat, and fine grain surfaces.
See: http://www.australply.com.au/cg_marine.html

However (in my experience), in Oz, the readily available (cheap) stuff has voids, anything but flat, and coarse open grain surfaces - yuk!

[Bruce Cohen]

Rod,

Here in NY State, I go to a yard named ML Condon. Great selection of hardwood (domestic & foreign). They're not the cheapest place, but the stock they carry and the really positive attitude of everyone that works there is worth the extra cost.

I purchased "cabinet grade" maple (both faces great) 3/4" ply for $115.00 a 4x8 sheet and cherry 3/4" ply for 135.00. They do sell marine grade pla, but because I never use it, don't know the prices. The next time I'm there, I'll check on it.

Bruce

[LCHIEN]

My definition: Multiple fine layers, very flat, and fine grain surfaces.
See: http://www.australply.com.au/cg_marine.html

However (in my experience), in Oz, the readily available (cheap) stuff has voids, anything but flat, and coarse open grain surfaces - yuk!

By your link, it has two good surfaces, no voids, and water-resistant glue.
By your definition, (and the sample you left me when in Houston) waterproof is not a requirement, With the fine plies and smooth exterior veneer, I would imagine that Baltic Birch plywood (13 plies per 3/4 or 18mm thickness) would meet your requirements, if you could find it, cheaper than marine ply. But, since you are fixed with one sheet for many years, maybe its a moot point.

http://alliedveneer.com/what-is-baltic-birch.html

[RodKirby]

Thanks Loring,

I did look around for Baltic Birch in Oz but the usual response was "huh?"