Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

HD and Lowes don't seem to have it .... Dunn lumber does not seem to have any luan either.

They do have "Oak Doorskin Veneer Core" but I'm unclear whether that the same thing ?

Where do you find 1/8 Luan ... is it known under any other names ?

Thanks.

Duh ... never mind it's called "lauan" not "luan" .....

So they have several kind of wood panels (lauan and others)
http://www.dunnlumber.com/dunn-products.php

Is Lauan the best to use ? (VS birch, oak etc...) why ?

Thanks.

I bought some luan door panels, 1/8, and used them to finish the inside of my hatch. I found them to be much stronger (and stiffer) than the luan panels that were normally offered. Cheaper too, but smaller.

Lauan is a lower grade and strength plywood than oak or birch. If you know someone who builds cabinets and has an account at a cabinet supply they can get you the Baltic Birch which is 5 foot wide. There are some cabinet supply stores who do sell to the public but off hand I don't know the name any of them.

Send Halfdome Danny a PM ans ask him. He lives in Tacoma (I think) and is a retired cabinet maker. I am sure he can point you in the right direction. If he does not respond, he may be traveling.

Jeremy

look, the fact is you can't go by species to determine anything about the quality or suitability for a particular purpose.. it's like saying "I want beef"...
well, do you want prime rib or prairie oysters?

Most 'luan' is a composite of Mahogany (as in: Luan Mahogany Door Skins). Any finish or grade in a light panel should work fine for the interior.

If you have a menards near you they carry 1/8" x 4' x 8' sheets of lauan.

The big box stores don't carry it. You have to find a specialty lumber supply store.

Google "Plywood (your city and state)" and see what comes up.

Nobody has said it yet, so I will, buyer be ware when buying plywood from the big box stores, most of it is crap.

dh wrote:Google "Plywood (your city and state)" and see what comes up.

Nobody has said it yet, so I will, buyer be ware when buying plywood from the big box stores, most of it is crap.

... but it's cheap crap!

if you want to buy material that you can't get at Home Depot etc., or the local lumber yard.. go to the yellow pages and look for "commercial millwork" "architectural millwork" or "custom millwork" and find you local millwork shop.. they get the good stuff and WILL sell you some or order some for you. you can also just ask who their supplier is and order from them.. most suppliers have a minimum order though so going to a millwork shop is the best bet as they will get it in along with their next order/delivery..

hey, a few dollars extra for good material is a good investment in the long run and if you can't afford a few extra dollars for good material then you probably can't afford to be building a trailer to begin with..

From what I know Luan however you spell it has more voids inside it (i.e. water catchers) I would go for 1/8" actual plywood from your source.

Ended up buying 5mm (3 ply) plywood at dunn's lumber. Seems pretty good although it feels heavier than I expected.

Also anybody knwd what's the minimum radius 5pm ply can take? I'm planning 2 feet , but not sure it can take it.