Plywood types for corners/luan alternatives

[Andrew Herrick]

Andrew:

I'm busted.

But there's another 30% of my posts that abhor the use of OSB in campers.

With as much effort that goes into these projects, I hate seeing people cut a few corners to save a handful of bucks.



Tony

Agreed. After one piles 300 hours of nights and weekends into a project, that $75 saved doesn't seem like much!

[Tomterrific]

I built my entire camper with Revolution Ply. At the time the description said it was ready for outside projects. A bare piece lasted a year in the rain and snow without delaminating. I would probably use A better product next time even though it is still holding up sitting outside since built.

I started to bend a fresh sheet of ply and soon worried the bend was too tight and the ply too stiff for success. I made a bending jig with 2 x 4 and ratchet straps to slowly pre bend the ply over night. This pre bent ply allowed me to place a 4 x 8 sheet accurately for the front and roof. You will have much less trouble if you pre bend your ply.

Tt

[twisted lines]

Russian - not Chinese - Baltic Birch is made with an exterior glue and less than a handful of voids per sheet. It's the standard for teardrop construction, and many Baltic Birch shells have decades of use under their belt. It's great stuff.

Unless you're lucky enough to live in an area where it's easy to special-order plywood from big manufacturers like Roseburg and Columbia, the choices are often slim. Anyhow, back on track .... interior-grade panels work - until they don't. You don't get the forgiveness inherent in an exterior-grade plywood.

Since you plan to paint the exterior, I'd go with Baltic Birch or ACX plywood. You don't want the telegraphing of a B- or C-grade panel, and unless you like spending money, I can't imagine marine plywood will improve the build. Take your savings and splurge on a higher quality paint

Stolen interesting stuff.
I now understand why the local plywood guy said the birch was exterior, sly bugger was huffing or talking glue.

[GPW]

Ever think of using thick ”chipboard” to replace very thin plywood ? … We’ve been experimenting , and we not only find it an easy product to work with , but since it’s absorbent , it can be easily saturated with a waterproofing agent like “the Mix” … making it very Strong. Bends like crazy , easily glued ,screwed, nailed , and painted … Best of all it’s made out of the same material wood is …. cellulose … and comes in many thicknesses . I believe the density is the same or greater than wood .
Just a thought …

[twisted lines]

Thank's to you to all.
First Complete top layer will be .125 and then wing it.

Could you just put another 1/8" layer over that one?

Tom

I read your build and see that is your plan, and am very strongly considering that, Question now is the bonding Technic, I am interested and moving toward it.

[Sparksalot]

I recently built a stitch and glue kayak using 3mm plywood. It's marine grade Okume, so be prepared for sticker shock. On the other hand, how much are you really using?

[Patrick Star]

I recently built a stitch and glue kayak using 3mm plywood. It's marine grade Okume, so be prepared for sticker shock. On the other hand, how much are you really using?

I'm gonna have to look for something like that, double them up you know.

Lowes is getting tired of my destructive testing on their plywood


Anyway it would be 4 or 8 sheets... depending on the way I'm able to bend it.

The problem is I'm in south TX, Corpus Christi, and there are no real trees, so all the wood comes from 8 hours north.

I was looking at the 5mm poplar, revoply or whever, but want outdoor rated since 100% of my camping will be on the beach with 20-35mph wind full of sea mist, hitting the camper perpendicular

I'm using FRP for my siding to help ensure there will be no moisture creeping past my siding.

Funny you mention boat building as I've been reading the boat building forums alot, about bending plywood

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[swoody126]

PS, @ just over 3 hours northeast of you is Clark's Hardwood Lumber Co. in downtown Houston

https://www.clarkshardwood.com

they are 6+ hours south of me

they offer the best prices in Texas/the southwest(cheapest prices in Ohio for large quantities due to shipping costs) on marine lumber n plywood

i get my 6mm Aquatek miranti from them for boat building when i only need a few sheets

they carry fir, okoume, Hydrotek & Aquatek marine grade plywoods in thicknesses from 3mm ^^^

https://www.clarkshardwood.com/?s=aquatek

as mentioned above be ready for sticker shock

IMHO the 3mm Okoume might offer the better bending qualities

sw

[pcovell74]

PS, @ just over 3 hours northeast of you is Clark's Hardwood Lumber Co. in downtown Houston

https://www.clarkshardwood.com

they are 6+ hours south of me

they offer the best prices in Texas/the southwest(cheapest prices in Ohio for large quantities due to shipping costs) on marine lumber n plywood

i get my 6mm Aquatek miranti from them for boat building when i only need a few sheets

they carry fir, okoume, Hydrotek & Aquatek marine grade plywoods in thicknesses from 3mm ^^^

https://www.clarkshardwood.com/?s=aquatek

as mentioned above be ready for sticker shock

IMHO the 3mm Okoume might offer the better bending qualities

sw

Swood126
I am here in Katy,Tx and just found Clark's yesterday online looking for 4x10 Birch Plywood. I just learned that I should get some of the Marine grade plywood as well for the base. What kind of pricing did you see on your "3hr tour"? Just curious, I'm going to make a trek out next Saturday to get some ideas.

[swoody126]

Preston, 1-18-18 is my last note to me about their pricing

Aquatek 6mm - $43
Hydeotek 6mm - $55
hydrotek 12mm - $100

sw

[pcovell74]

Preston, 1-18-18 is my last note to me about their pricing

Aquatek 6mm - $43
Hydeotek 6mm - $55
hydrotek 12mm - $100

sw

[Patrick Star]

Well the corners were 1/4 inch exterior plywood. The front bent with a heat gun and water, the 6 inch radius bent after being chunked into the coy pool for like 8 hours or so

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[davidsleg]

Hey Patrick, first off your build is looking great so far. I'm a newb in this area but just purchased a trailer for a build myself and I was already planning going in the direction you are with the thin plywood. I'm still in the beginning stages with prepping and resurfacing the trailer but was wondering how you were going to coat your exterior? With an epoxy resin and finish or will you be skinning with aluminum? I was inspired by the clc teardrop and keeping a wood finish. But they use e-glass and epoxy resin. Wasn't sure if I needed the glass since mine would be framed like yours and I think they do it since theirs aren't framed but put together with a stitching method such as used in boat making. Your input would be greatly appreciated, the input of others is welcomed as well. I'll be following your build, I'm interested to see the turn out. Good luck!
D

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[Pmullen503]

Epoxy over wood with no cloth will eventually crack. Use cloth with epoxy, they are designed to work together.

[davidsleg]

Ok awesome, thanks!

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