djcressman
New member
Sorry, was referring to this:
Do you have any source specifying exterior glue on the baltic birch?
What type of plywood for trailer build?
- Thread starter djcressman
- Start date
Sorry, was referring to this:
Do you have any source specifying exterior glue on the baltic birch?
Baltic Birch Plywood in 5' x 5' and 4' x 8' at Toledo Plywood Co. Inc.
Baltic Birch is multi-ply product, having more plies(or layers) than standard domestic plywood. In the Toledo Metro area, it is in stock at Toledo Plywood.
www.toledoplywood.com
From the link:
"The 5′ x 5′ sheet uses an interior glue that works well if you are using a laser to cut the material. The 4′ x 8′ Baltic Birch uses and exterior glue that holds in wet conditions."
djcressman
New member
Baltic Birch Plywood in 5' x 5' and 4' x 8' at Toledo Plywood Co. Inc.
Baltic Birch is multi-ply product, having more plies(or layers) than standard domestic plywood. In the Toledo Metro area, it is in stock at Toledo Plywood.
From the link:
"The 5′ x 5′ sheet uses an interior glue that works well if you are using a laser to cut the material. The 4′ x 8′ Baltic Birch uses and exterior glue that holds in wet conditions."
That aligns exactly with what my supplier said.
OverlandNA
Well-known member
I stand corrected. I see 1 distributor is offering 5x5 only with interior glue and manufacturers offering all sizes speced for interior or exterior. No doubt to conform to CARB and EPA TSCA Title VI emissions standards regulations. Times keep changing.
So bottom line is make sure you are getting BALTIC birch with exterior glue.
It used to be so simple.
So bottom line is make sure you are getting BALTIC birch with exterior glue.
It used to be so simple.
Baltic Birch Plywood in 5' x 5' and 4' x 8' at Toledo Plywood Co. Inc.
Baltic Birch is multi-ply product, having more plies(or layers) than standard domestic plywood. In the Toledo Metro area, it is in stock at Toledo Plywood.
From the link:
"The 5′ x 5′ sheet uses an interior glue that works well if you are using a laser to cut the material. The 4′ x 8′ Baltic Birch uses and exterior glue that holds in wet conditions."
It does appear possible to get exterior-glue Baltic Birch in sizes other than 4' x 8'.
Baltic Birch - North American Hardwood Lumber Manufacturing and Distribution
northwesthardwoods.com
From the link:
"DIMENSIONS/GLUE
5’x5’ / 60” x 60” – Interior CARB2 Glue
4’x8’ / 48” x 96” – Phenolic Type 1 Glue
Also – 7’x5’, 8’x5’, 10’x5’
** Interior or Exterior glue is available in any format as special order"
...................
Departments | Edensaw Woods Seattle WA
From the link:
"Baltic Birch Plywood Sheets / Plywood & Sheet Goods features:
- Wood: Baltic Birch
- Number of Ply: 13 Ply
- Plywood Grade: B/BB
- Size & Dimension: 18mm x 5-ft x 5-ft
Baltic birch plywood is exceptional and imported all-birch veneer core that’s cross-banded and laminated with exterior grade glue, making for a superior stable sheet; and also has a thicker face veneer than traditional cabinet grade plywood."
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
The entire interior/exterior glues is related to X-rated ply, that is actually in reference to the panels eXposure rating, which is only in part related to the glues used.
True 5x5 baltic birch has been proven time and time again to pass the "boil test" and is more than sufficient (and superior) to any X-rated ply (Like ACX)
And it only comes from one place on the planet. Its Baltic....
Just be sure you are using Baltic birch, and not another Birch ply.
Most all other birch plys are not even wood core.... they are MDF core garbage.
True 5x5 baltic birch has been proven time and time again to pass the "boil test" and is more than sufficient (and superior) to any X-rated ply (Like ACX)
And it only comes from one place on the planet. Its Baltic....
Just be sure you are using Baltic birch, and not another Birch ply.
Most all other birch plys are not even wood core.... they are MDF core garbage.
Last edited:
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Another note...
Ive been buying, selling, and using (true) baltic birch for decades now....
I have never once seen a TRUE baltic birch in 4x8 on the shelf, anywhere.
Only 5x5
So at first glance, Id assume that any 4x8 birch ply is not actually baltic.
And if you are looking to special order some ply via a building supply, you may as well go for the good stuff anyhow.
Go for a legit bs1088 okoume
Ive been buying, selling, and using (true) baltic birch for decades now....
I have never once seen a TRUE baltic birch in 4x8 on the shelf, anywhere.
Only 5x5
So at first glance, Id assume that any 4x8 birch ply is not actually baltic.
And if you are looking to special order some ply via a building supply, you may as well go for the good stuff anyhow.
Go for a legit bs1088 okoume
high-and-dry
Active member
The wood place I got my baltic ply from sells 4x8 and 5x5 in thicknesses over 1/2 inch, under under half inch they only sell the 5x5. I bought both a 4x8 and a 5x5 of the half inch. they are the same in every way except size, same ply count etc etc. I can go take pics if you want.
Teardropper
Well-known member
You can take a scrap of Baltic birch plywood, be it 1/8", 1/2" or 3/4" and throw it in a bucket of water for a week. Pull it out and let it dry for a week or two.
It will be intact.
Don't confuse Baltic birch plywood with "cabinet" grade birch.
Tony
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Just to be clear.....
True Baltic Birch is also only available in metric thicknesses.
They are often sold using the (incorrect) standard measurements, but the actual thicknesses, and MFG reported thicknesses are metric.
Same goes for every other import plywood I have seen and used.
Our camper is skinned entirely in a 6mm bs1088 okoume ply.
Though there is quite a bit of baltic birch in the build as well.
Custom countertop
I even built the recessed lighting housings out of baltic birch
How about a moto-stand out of baltic birch scraps?
Or perhaps the underlayment for a custom sprung dance studio floor?
This was two layers of staggered 9mm to get a monolithic layer of 19mm
The used for baltic birch are endless!
True Baltic Birch is also only available in metric thicknesses.
They are often sold using the (incorrect) standard measurements, but the actual thicknesses, and MFG reported thicknesses are metric.
Same goes for every other import plywood I have seen and used.
Our camper is skinned entirely in a 6mm bs1088 okoume ply.
Though there is quite a bit of baltic birch in the build as well.
Custom countertop
I even built the recessed lighting housings out of baltic birch
How about a moto-stand out of baltic birch scraps?
Or perhaps the underlayment for a custom sprung dance studio floor?
This was two layers of staggered 9mm to get a monolithic layer of 19mm
The used for baltic birch are endless!
quickfarms
Adventurer
My information about the glues was from working in lumber yards and college classes on wood construction design and at that time, 30 years ago, all plywood was supposed to be waterproof glue.
Today I can not find any definitive answer.
Today I can not find any definitive answer.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Interesting thread. I used cabinet grade 1/2" birch ply (waterproof glue) for my build as I could not get access to true voidless Baltic Birch for anything less than a ridiculous amount of money. It astounds me how much wood and especially plywood costs these days... but the good stuff is worth it if you can source it and afford it. It worked out well and is only used for portions of the exterior and is mostly glassed or epoxy coated / painted. The rest of the under skin (under the aluminum) is all Luan. @IdaSHO , beautiful work sir!!
Both marine grade 4x8 and Baltic birch 5x5 sheets were available at my local store. After looking at the Baltic birch they had in stock I decided to build using the marine grade. Many of the Baltic birch sheets had portions that were delaminated already, or possibly never recieved glue.
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
This is the same ply I used for the tub of my camper build as well as a few other more structural parts like the bed top and bottom, the bench seats and the fridge slide. I like the look of dressed and finished plywood when it is nice stuff. Please note the drawer front still needed varnish in this pic, insides were done 1 coat.
@Ducstrom that sucks about the local supplier for materials... delaminating in the store is never a good sign.
@Ducstrom that sucks about the local supplier for materials... delaminating in the store is never a good sign.