Baltic Birch Alternative

[kokomoto]

BB is mostly from Russia and Finland. Apparently, Ukraine is no longer run by neo-nazi’s and Russia is bad again. It’s hard to keep up.

I don’t know the what the true cause of the shortage is, but a couple of vendors mentioned geopolitics involving Russia. Another mentioned a slim harvest due to weather in the Baltic region a year or two ago as a potential factor.

In the meantime, I’m finding some BB on FB market place, just haven’t found 1/8” (3mm) in 4x8 yet.

[friz]

Okoume was a joy to work with in building my CLC.

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[tony.latham]

Okoume was a joy to work with in building my CLC.

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Was it 1/4"? Do they make it in 1/8"?

Tony

P.s.

Might be appropriate to consider square drops, or foamies.

Well... not me.

[friz]

Okoume was a joy to work with in building my CLC.

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Was it 1/4"? Do they make it in 1/8"?

Tony

P.s.

Might be appropriate to consider square drops, or foamies.

Well... not me.

The shell was 4mm. Roughly 1.6 inch. 6mm will get you close to 1/4 inch.

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[Tom&Shelly]

P.s.

Might be appropriate to consider square drops, or foamies.

Well... not me.

Sorry! Didn't mean to steer this into a religious argument!

Tom

[friz]

P.s.

Might be appropriate to consider square drops, or foamies.

Well... not me.

Sorry! Didn't mean to steer this into a religious argument!

Tom

It can get as bad sometimes. Some people are dead set on the way things ought to be. Teardrop people, model airplane people, car people........I seem to get under the skin of all of them.

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[tony.latham]

I seem to get under the skin of all of them.

Friz:

The only time you get under my skin is when you post the photo of the bottle opener you have on your frame. I still can't find one that'll fit my 2" tubing.


And someone wanting to go with a squaredrop or a foamie, I'm fine with whomever. Just not my cup of tea. If I have to build one using luan, I'll do it.

Tony

[friz]

I seem to get under the skin of all of them.

Friz:

The only time you get under my skin is when you post the photo of the bottle opener you have on your frame. I still can't find one that'll fit my 2" tubing.


And someone wanting to go with a squaredrop or a foamie, I'm fine with whomever. Just not my cup of tea. If I have to build one using luan, I'll do it.

Tony

One thing is for certain. If Baltic birch disappears from the planet, people will still be building campers. Aaaaaand my camper still has something that Tony's doesn't.

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[tony.latham]

Aaaaaand my camper still has something that Tony's doesn't.

Fur damn sure! ARRRGH!!!!

Tony

[Tom&Shelly]

BB is mostly from Russia and Finland. Apparently, Ukraine is no longer run by neo-nazi’s and Russia is bad again. It’s hard to keep up.

I don’t know the what the true cause of the shortage is, but a couple of vendors mentioned geopolitics involving Russia. Another mentioned a slim harvest due to weather in the Baltic region a year or two ago as a potential factor.

In the meantime, I’m finding some BB on FB market place, just haven’t found 1/8” (3mm) in 4x8 yet.

FWIW, the 1/8" BB I used was 5' x 5'. Not sure I could have gotten it in 4' x 8' five years ago.

Maybe now, Finland will sell us plywood at the "NATO rate"?

Tom

[rjgimp]

I seem to get under the skin of all of them...
...Aaaaaand my camper still has something that Tony's doesn't.

Attaboy! Keep on keeping on.

[kokomoto]

Some background for those interested .....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/20 ... nam-china/

[Tom&Shelly]

Some background for those interested .....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/20 ... nam-china/

Interesting.

And it begs the question: Why can't/don't North American lumber companies come up with a native high-quality plywood like BB?

Tom

[twisted lines]

Square Foamie!
Didn't ask how much but 5X5 BB can do;
That's a lot of joint's and a little easier for height.
I am most afraid of buying another set of roller dies

[kokomoto]

Square Foamie!
Didn't ask how much but 5X5 BB can do;
That's a lot of joint's and a little easier for height.
I am most afraid of buying another set of roller dies

My first build was a 5x10. I used 1/8" 5x5 sheets for the for the roof and ceiling. The seams were easy to deal with. Cant recall if I used 4x8 for the walls or 5x5. I'd prefer 4x8 sheets for my current build, but I'd take 5x5 if necessary. I need to check my 3/4 plywood skeleton if I end up with 5x5 for reinforcement at the seam.

In any case, I contacted a fellow TD builder here in TN to see if he knows of a 1/8" BB source. He is optimistic about obtaining some in the near future. He seemed to think it's currently not banned/sanctioned, but has a hefty tariff. I'm waiting for him to get back to me on that. In the meantime, anyone who thinks they might want to build a teardrop might want to scoop up any 1/8" BB they can find.