plywood

[UK-Brian]

has anyone ever used chinese birch? 3/16" smooth sided runs me $11 a sheet and 1/2" is $21. It wiil save a great deal on my build.

[GuitarPhotog]

I don't know if it's the same stuff but I got some 1/2" birch ply that came from China at my local Lowes. The face ply on each side was as thin as paper, and delaminated about as easily.

I bought it because it takes paint well, and so can still use it with many places where the face ply just peeled away from my hole to the edge of the panel.

I'm not happy with the material, but needed only a little so decided to endure its shortcomings.

It's pretty easy to see in this pic what I'm talking about.


<Chas>

[Wolffarmer]

In the wood working community there are many horror stories about the plywood from China. Thin ply, warping, smelly, and embeded objects. One person I know of hit the blade of a utility knife that was left in it. Stuff that comes from Lowes and Home Depot are very suspect as they order the cheapest crap they can get away with. I mostly blame the people that order the stuff. The makers can probably make better stuff but only if they are paid to.

Might be usable where you are going to paint it and where it is supported to take care of the warping. Or let a sheet air out for a few months before using it to see it warps. Then check it again after cutting. All in all much of it is crap.

Randy, still grumpy after all these years

[madjack]

...first chiply I ever bought was from Lowes...just plain crap...fulla voids, trash and other unidentifiables...veneer was thin enough to disappear when rubbed and started warping almost immediately...then I bought some(didn't know it was chiply at the time) from a local cabinet shop...good venner, poplar core...good stuff...so, you get what ya pay for...or buyer beware!!!!!!!
madjack

[Dusty82]

I have to agree with everyone else. I stay away from chi-ply for the same reasons. Thing is, out here further west the chi-ply isn't all that much cheaper than the US or Canadian made stuff. So for the money, I'd much rather buy the better quality plywood that I know will work than save a few dollars and try to make it work.

To me this is a perfect practical example of Mike's signature:
"The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials..."

Of course your mileage may vary...

[Wolffarmer]

I should also note that in many wood working forums nearly all of the plywood that is sold by Lowe's and Home Depot is considered to be sub par. Same with most of the solid wood. But those people may be a lot pickier than we need to be. I no longer buy my oak and other better wood there like I did when I started building my TD. But if you need just a bit of it and it is quick for you that is ok.

Randy