Baltic Birch Plywood: Good price?

bkharman

bkharman

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Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Messages
2,072
I am looking to get some BB ply (18mm/.75) and have made a few phone calls to the #s I know in my area (Cincinnati).  He qouted me the following:

  • 5x5 - $62
  • 4x8 - $113

I have no clue if that is a good price or not.  He also did mention that they carry a few Columbia products but I would have to come in to take a look.

I called my usual lumber yard for something similar, but they dont do BB, he did say they have high quality "Domestic Ply" that is comparable to BB for $86 a sheet.  I guess I would have to see if that works for my projects (kids furniture, some shop cabinets/jigs)

Do these prices seem decent?  I am going to HD to see what kind of price I can get on some Columbia products but haven't had a chance yet.  Also, if anyone knows of a good sheet supplier in the Cincy area, I can run with that as well.

Cheers.  Bryan.
 
I would tell you what I pay for a 4 x 8 sheet of 18mm plywood, birch or maple.....but I'm from the wrong side of Ohio.

[tongue]  [tongue]  [poke]

  But $113 for unfinished is CRAZY!  My local place, Back to Nature Oak,  she has 2 sided MDF core 18mm maple or birch around $70 for a 4 x 8 sheet.      I believe I paid around $80, maybe a little more, for pre finished, both sides for maple. 

Keep looking around, I would never pay over $100 for a sheet of plywood. 

HD has 18mm maple or birch for $55.  You get what you pay for.  I had to move 3 bowed sheets just to pick out 4 good sheets. 
For shop cabinets, HD or Lowe's will be fine.  But I wouldn't build furniture with it.

So now it seems like YOUR on the wrong side of Ohio !      [tongue]

Eric
 
HA!

Thanks Eric... I hear your Dawg Pound might be the next Hard Knocks candidates.  Drunk Johnny football does not make for a good team, but it DOES make good TV...  [wink] [poke]

The HD reference would be with their Pro Desk to order to store Columbia Products... none of their off the shelf rubbish.

I might pick of some of the 5x5's, they actually will do a majority of what I need.  I can use my sheet calculator to see what kind of change we are talking about on my projects... that just means that I need to finalize my plans!  better get cracking!

Thanks everyone for your .02, I appreciate it.
 
I wouldn't dismiss HD too quickly. My local HD has excellent Canadian plywood at a very fair price. I think it depends on the store.

For Baltic birch I think I paid around $65 for a 5x5 sheet at a local lumber yard c
 
erock said:
I would tell you what I pay for a 4 x 8 sheet of 18mm plywood, birch or maple.....but I'm from the wrong side of Ohio.

[tongue]  [tongue]  [poke]

  But $113 for unfinished is CRAZY!  My local place, Back to Nature Oak,  she has 2 sided MDF core 18mm maple or birch around $70 for a 4 x 8 sheet.      I believe I paid around $80, maybe a little more, for pre finished, both sides for maple. 

Keep looking around, I would never pay over $100 for a sheet of plywood. 

HD has 18mm maple or birch for $55.  You get what you pay for.  I had to move 3 bowed sheets just to pick out 4 good sheets. 
For shop cabinets, HD or Lowe's will be fine.  But I wouldn't build furniture with it.

So now it seems like YOUR on the wrong side of Ohio !      [tongue]

Eric
Click to expand...
Eric he is looking for Baltic Birch not Birch.  I can can get 5 x5 BB for around $57 but I can get a 4 x 8 sheet of birch ply for $45.
 
BKHarman- retail for 4x8 sheets of 18mm Baltic Birch, unfinished, in my area (San Diego) is $60.  This is for high quality sheets.  I use it for plywood-on-edge Danish Modern style furniture with excellent results.  The prices you've been quoted sound way too high.
 
Pricing depends on the grade.  For BB grade, I pay about $25 for 1/2", 5x5.
 
Yeah... I thought it sounded high as well.  I am hoping someone in my area will take a look and get me a decent vendor to look into.

thanks everyone!

Cheers.  Bryan.
 
OK, I have found a place that has "offshore" baltic birch (can you really call it that?), 13 ply, no voids, "very solid core" according to the yard manager, in 4x8 for 35 bucks.  I am going up there to check it out tomorrow.  He said the faces are farily thin and not suited for a lot of sanding for stain, but my projects right now are all shop related and organization so I am fine with that.

They also have BB grade "true" baltic birch for 75 a pop (also 4x8).

I will let you know how I get along with this...

Cheers.  Bryan.
 
I just picked up a sheet today from my local supplier here in Phoenix. BB Baltic, 13 ply, 18mm, 4x8, $67. For the work I do, I use a lot of it, but only buy a couple sheets at a time. I have seen 4x8 up to $80 a sheet. 5x5 up to $60.
 
bkharman said:
OK, I have found a place that has "offshore" baltic birch (can you really call it that?), 13 ply, no voids, "very solid core" according to the yard manager, in 4x8 for 35 bucks.  I am going up there to check it out tomorrow.  He said the faces are farily thin and not suited for a lot of sanding for stain, but my projects right now are all shop related and organization so I am fine with that.

They also have BB grade "true" baltic birch for 75 a pop (also 4x8).

I will let you know how I get along with this...

Cheers.  Bryan.
Click to expand...

That shop has good prices.  Import stuff is hit/miss.  When buying rub your hand over the surface and make sure theres no bubbling.    Sometimes the top vinear will not be completely glued and will get bubbles under the surface.  I built some bookcases and had a major issue with bubbling.    I had to redo all my work.  Since than my local lumber yard quit selling import ply. 

Also my local Lowes has maple 3/4 ply for 49.99 a sheet.  Its really good quality and holds up well to stain and paint. 
 
If you haven't already, give Frank Miller Lumber a call (888-345-5711). My price sheet is a little out of date, but it has 5x5, 3/4" Baltic Birch for $48 if you have to pay full price, or $42 business pricing. They also have 4x8 sheets of "Dynasty Birch" (i.e. China ply) at the same price. They're a few hours away from Cinci, but they deliver for free with a $100 order. They're such a pleasure to work with that I've stopped messing with the suppliers close by.

- Mike
 
anthonyz said:
I just picked up a sheet today from my local supplier here in Phoenix. BB Baltic, 13 ply, 18mm, 4x8, $67. For the work I do, I use a lot of it, but only buy a couple sheets at a time. I have seen 4x8 up to $80 a sheet. 5x5 up to $60.
Click to expand...
Are getting that from Timbers?  Also are going to the Festool demo tomorrow?
 
The "Baltic" in baltic birch means "from the baltic states or baltic region" -- so you are probably looking at Finland or even Russia as the source for "genuine" baltic birch.  Anything else is "offshore" ...  ;D

Prices vary just with one supplier because of grade, number of plies, etc.  So you have to be careful when you see a full sheet for $35.  I'd bet it is not high-quality baltic birch plywood.  Last time I checked, my local small lumber store wanted over $50 for a 5X5 sheet for pretty nice looking, high-ply-count sheets with zero voids.  My local Home Depot and Lowes just carry junk, but I guess it will vary by regions.
 
bkharman said:
I am looking to get some BB ply (18mm/.75) and have made a few phone calls to the #s I know in my area (Cincinnati).  He qouted me the following:

  • 5x5 - $62
  • 4x8 - $113

I have no clue if that is a good price or not.  He also did mention that they carry a few Columbia products but I would have to come in to take a look.

I called my usual lumber yard for something similar, but they dont do BB, he did say they have high quality "Domestic Ply" that is comparable to BB for $86 a sheet.  I guess I would have to see if that works for my projects (kids furniture, some shop cabinets/jigs)

Do these prices seem decent?  I am going to HD to see what kind of price I can get on some Columbia products but haven't had a chance yet.  Also, if anyone knows of a good sheet supplier in the Cincy area, I can run with that as well.

Cheers.  Bryan.
Click to expand...

[member=21412]bkharman[/member] CR Muterspaw in Xenia OH, Just north of cinci is the best place to get any lumber products (plywood, domestic lumber, exotic hardwoods...). Hands down best quality and prices.

http://www.crlumber.com/
 
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