Im trying to source some good quality birch ply sheets in 18mm

[sucker 4 tools]

Im trying to source some good quality birch ply sheets in the uk i need 18mm thick 1200 x 2400mm pref s/bb grade has anyone got any ideas ? its not your usual builders merchant product !
Cheers virtual freinds

 

[Wuffles]

Where in the UK are you based?

 

[jonny round boy]

I buy my birch ply from Hanson Plywood, who are just a few miles from me.

They don't do S/BB, but they do stock B/BB, which is a slightly higher grade.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

i am in north devon

and i am getting mixed messages on the quality i was under the impression s grade is the best SUPERIOR ! then B then BB i need one face with no imperfections as they will be kitchen cab doors any recomendations for a durable clear finish product would be good also, do we get any pre finished products in the uk like they do in the states ?

 

[Wuffles]

i am in north devon

and i am getting mixed messages on the quality i was under the impression s grade is the best SUPERIOR ! then B then BB i need one face with no imperfections as they will be kitchen cab doors any recomendations for a durable clear finish product would be good also, do we get any pre finished products in the uk like they do in the states ?

There's a good place in Taunton recommended from another board, http://www.somersetpanels.co.uk/services/boards-and-veneers.htm - not used them, only found them recently.

 

[jonny round boy]

Grades are as follows:

A - near perfect, but not commercially available

B - Generally, the best grade available for clear finishing. Good clean appearance, only minor, natural features, i.e. small pin knots permitted on the ‘B’ Face. ‘B’ grade is normally only available with ‘BB’ Grade reverse

S - similar to Grade B, but allows more natural defects and the odd well-made patch – Generally good enough quality face for clear finishing or painting. S+/BB has a better face with no plugs. The reverse is a standard BB Grade.

BB - The main commercial or utility grade - both faces are Grade BB – which allows patches and other knots/ imperfections. Suitable for all general work including CNC Machining or where face grade not overly important – However good quality BB grade boards may be acceptable for clear finishing and furniture! Available in Long or Cross grain construction.

 

[Roseland]

Mine comes from Timbmet:

http://www.timbmet.com/Publication/Download/plywood.pdf

It's BB/BB, but often I get a face without patches.  They do both long- and short-grain.

Andrew

 

[turnpike]

Jonny/Andrew,  Do these places expect you to be trade? I got some wisa ply recently and they had a real attitude that I was just a hobbyist and didn't have a forklift when they arrived with 6 sheets.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

great info guys
wish people knew what they were selling ! got a few places telling me s is better than b ?? if you were making cab doors that were going to be on show what would you use ? dont want any plugs.

 

[sucker 4 tools]

timbmet might be the one £65.60 + for the B/BB 18mm 1200x2400 what do you guys think ?

 

[Roseland]

I don't buy direct from Timbmet, but from a reseller (Woodstock, Penryn).

Give them a call and they'll tell you where their nearest reseller is.

They say their "S" is practically blemish free.

Andrew

 

[sucker 4 tools]

surely you would get a better price direct ? its only £40 delivery charge

 

[sucker 4 tools]

wood stock is 74.80 + and £50 delivery

 

[sucker 4 tools]

somerset panels is £59.40 inc vat but £65 delivery

 

[Ed Bray]

I bought my Birch Ply from Southern Timber who are based at Newton Abbot in Devon. I was more than happy with the quality. I have had 18mm, 12mm and 9mm from them.

If you buy over a certain amount delivery is free (well it was to Plymouth). Their phone number is 01803 803813.

 

[jonny round boy]

A note of caution - don't buy on price alone. You want to know where it's from. For example:

The place I buy from specialises in sheet materials. They buy direct from the manufacturer, in volume. It comes on huge pallets, 50 or 60 sheets all bundled together, and goes onto huge steel racks. When I order it, they take it straight off the racks with a specialised lift, and load it straight into my van (or onto one of their trucks if it's being delivered).

The place I bought from previously bought it off another company, which in turn bought it from a company like the above. It had been loaded as above, but then unloaded from the truck (probably by hand) and put somewhere in a timber yard. Then it was loaded onto another vehicle, taken somewhere else, and unloaded again. Then finally loaded onto the van that delivered it to me.

By the time it arrived it had been rained on, and one sheet had actual boot prints all across one side. It was useless for what I needed it for, and it ended up all going back.

The reason I bought through the above chain was that I assumed (wrongly) that the main company wouldn't deal with me, so ordered it through a local timber merchant. After all the hassle, I went direct & found that they were in fact very happy to deal with me. I buy all my sheet materials from there now. They deliver to me for free on orders over £100, but they're perfectly happy for me to order one sheet of 6mm MDF if I want, as long as I collect it. I have a couple of named contacts in the office, and they know me by name when I call. They know that I'm trade, but also know I'm never going to buying more than a dozen sheets at a time.

Now, regarding grading - most of the birch ply I get is beautiful. Although it's graded as B/BB, a lot of it could possibly pass for A grade. I think the reason that A grade isn't commercially available is not because it isn't produced; it's because it's not economically viable to sort out the A grade sheets from the rest as they are produced. If I were to buy 10 sheets, I could pretty much guarantee at least 9 of them would be flawless. There may be one that isn't so great, but could still be used with a bit of thought in the cutting.

How many sheets do you need? Your options may be different if it's 2 sheets, 5 sheets, or 10+ sheets...

 

[sucker 4 tools]

i need 5 sheets
seems like most people get it from the same few places and just move it around ! i am happy to go with b/bb if its damaged i will send it back and get refund

 

[sucker 4 tools]

hanson 61£ + and £95 delivery

 

[jonny round boy]

i need 5 sheets

In that case, I would ring round some places & find out who actually has it in stock, rather than "we can order it in for you...".

Then, borrow/hire a van for 1/2 day & drive there yourself. You can then see the quality as you're loading it, and if there's an odd sheet that's not up to scratch you can reject it there & then. Half-a-day's van hire will be less than the delivery cost, and you'll know exactly what you're getting.

 

[turnpike]

I have a couple of named contacts in the office, and they know me by name when I call. They know that I'm trade, but also know I'm never going to buying more than a dozen sheets at a time.

This is why I asked if you need to be trade and/or have a history with the supplier.  You will sadly often get fleeced or a bad attitude if they don't know you. I assume a fair amount of people here are not making a career out of woodworking so it's relevant when looking for a merchant.