edward Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 Has anyone ever bought 2x4 BB plywood at Lowes or Home Depot and found out when cutting that it chips out on the back, no matter what blades you use. Just curious. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 I've never seen " real " Baltic Birch ply at the big box stores.. I know people claim they have it and maybe they do.. my local Lowes and like stores do not have it.. and many times people confuse BB plywood with regular plywood... and I'm betting that's what you have.. Even the specialty lumber store I get my BB ply from... depending on the worker pulling the stock for me, they many times get it confused with plain old plywood even though the order says BB ply and also says the oddball size.. because the real deal to my knowledge only comes in 5 x 5 foot squares.. Not 4 x ? which when you say 2 x 4.. that 4 ques me in that you have just birch plywood.. and not the real deal.. tomsteve, NC Scroller and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 (edited) I have never bought Baltic Birch plywood from my local HD or Lowes because they don't sell it, but I have bought, it that does chip more, fact my last sheet of BB plywood does that. It chips bad. I buy it from a "plywood" company where I would expect to get the best grade all the time, but it is hit an miss. I went through their whole stack last time I was in there and walked away with out any. For one thing there were foot prints on every sheet! I could not believe it. Went to my second choice of places to buy it and theirs looked real good, but it is chipping on the back worse than any I have had so far. Edited April 12, 2019 by Scrappile OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 7 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said: I've never seen " real " Baltic Birch ply at the big box stores.. I know people claim they have it and maybe they do.. my local Lowes and like stores do not have it.. and many times people confuse BB plywood with regular plywood... and I'm betting that's what you have.. Even the specialty lumber store I get my BB ply from... depending on the worker pulling the stock for me, they many times get it confused with plain old plywood even though the order says BB ply and also says the oddball size.. because the real deal to my knowledge only comes in 5 x 5 foot squares.. Not 4 x ? which when you say 2 x 4.. that 4 ques me in that you have just birch plywood.. and not the real deal.. I use to believe the same as you about the size, but I have seen Baltic Birch plywood in 4' x 8' sheets also. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 I never seen BB at my Lowes or HD either. They sell Laun wood that is cheap underlayment basically. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 22 minutes ago, Scrappile said: I use to believe the same as you about the size, but I have seen Baltic Birch plywood in 4' x 8' sheets also. I don't know how much truth in this.. but I read on another site ( laser cutting site ) that the 4 x 8 sheet stuff is made buy a different company and I wanna say it was a USA company that was trying to produce the same stuff and market it under the BB ply name... Guess they wanna get a piece of the pie too, LOL.. anyway.. whoever makes it.. it's not the same stuff as the 5x5 sheet.. from what I've been reading.. not as high quality etc.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 Likewise I have never seen BB (Baltic Birch) at Home Depot or Lowes. That also goes for products sometimes called Finish Birch and Russian Birch. And I have been in some of these stores in NY, VA, NC, SC, GA, TN, and FL. I get my BB, in 5 x 5 sheets from a specialty lumber store. Old Joe, Roberta Moreton and OCtoolguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 I have never seen true BB in any big box store. What they carry is birch ply but if you look at the layers there are only 3 for 1/4 " thick where as BB would have 5 for the same dimension. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 1 hour ago, kmmcrafts said: I don't know how much truth in this.. but I read on another site ( laser cutting site ) that the 4 x 8 sheet stuff is made buy a different company and I wanna say it was a USA company that was trying to produce the same stuff and market it under the BB ply name... Guess they wanna get a piece of the pie too, LOL.. anyway.. whoever makes it.. it's not the same stuff as the 5x5 sheet.. from what I've been reading.. not as high quality etc.. Have not see this personally, but, for one, Cherokee Wood Products has it in 1/2" and 3/4" 4'x8' or 5'x5' sheets https://www.cherokeewood.com/store/baltic-birch-plywood-sheets/ kmmcrafts and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 Try laying masking tape on both sides then put the pattern. Works for a circular saw. RJF OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crupiea Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 I always get mine 5 x 5 from a cabinet makers store. They have all sorts of crazy wood in there. I keep it near a window, i live near the ocean. I noticed that it was chipping quite a bit for some reason. Moved it to a new location away from the window and a few weeks later it seemed to not chip so much anymore so it made me think that it had something to do with the environment. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsN Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 I have seen birch plywood at some of the big box stores (Menards is my go-to store, but I think I have seen it at the others) The birch plywood has voids in it in various places. the 1/4" thickness isn't great for scrolling. It chips and isn't as strong as other materials because of the voids. That being said the 1/2" or 3/4" thicknesses works decently. I have made several things with the edges showing because they look sort of cool. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry1939 Posted April 12, 2019 Report Share Posted April 12, 2019 You might check if "BB" actually stands for "Baltic Birch", or if it means that each "B" is the grade of both the top & bottom of regular ply, and it isn't even Baltic Birch. You can buy regular play with differing grades on top & bottom. jerry John B and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodmaster1 Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 10 hours ago, kmmcrafts said: I don't know how much truth in this.. but I read on another site ( laser cutting site ) that the 4 x 8 sheet stuff is made buy a different company and I wanna say it was a USA company that was trying to produce the same stuff and market it under the BB ply name... Guess they wanna get a piece of the pie too, LOL.. anyway.. whoever makes it.. it's not the same stuff as the 5x5 sheet.. from what I've been reading.. not as high quality etc.. A friend of mine only gets good Baltic Birch plywood at Johnson's Workbench and it's great. He uses 1/8", and 1/4" with his laser. He has tried other so called birch plywood from the big box stores with poor results. I told him about the Baltic Birch plywood I got at Johnson's Workbench and he only goes there to get it now. The best part of the deal I go with him to get my Birch plywood and we get the quantity discount and he drives his truck. So I save on the plywood and the trip. I am glad I don't live as close as Kevin because I would spend too much money on wood at Johnson's Workbench. OCtoolguy and kmmcrafts 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 58 minutes ago, Woodmaster1 said: A friend of mine only gets good Baltic Birch plywood at Johnson's Workbench and it's great. He uses 1/8", and 1/4" with his laser. He has tried other so called birch plywood from the big box stores with poor results. I told him about the Baltic Birch plywood I got at Johnson's Workbench and he only goes there to get it now. The best part of the deal I go with him to get my Birch plywood and we get the quantity discount and he drives his truck. So I save on the plywood and the trip. I am glad I don't live as close as Kevin because I would spend too much money on wood at Johnson's Workbench. So that's why they are always out of it when I go... I'm usually going there every few weeks.. but I gotta say.. they must miss me terribly.. I haven't been there since my CNC came in and I went to pick it up.. Matt helped me load it up and said see you in a couple weeks.. LOL.. That has been 2 months or better now..My wife has a store she loves to go to up there.. so she's always asking.. got anything you need at Johnson's ... that's my Que that she want to go shopping, The trick to get her to want me to go to Johnson's is.. I told her about my $0.55 a mile tax deduction I get for mileage for business but I have to buy something so I have proof i was there, Please don't ever tell her the truth, LOL... I do get the tax break for miles.. I just don't really have to buy stuff.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 So that's why they are always out of it when I go... They see you coming. RJF OCtoolguy and kmmcrafts 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomsteve Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 (edited) On 4/12/2019 at 11:10 AM, edward said: Has anyone ever bought 2x4 BB plywood at Lowes or Home Depot and found out when cutting that it chips out on the back, no matter what blades you use. Just curious. the plywood they sell in 1/4"- yes, it chips on me,too. its a very very thin veneer of .......im not even sure its a species of birch. ive only used RT blades on it,though, and its been some time since ive used that ply for more than a backer. a 2 way cut blade might make less chipout what are you using it for, edward? if its for portrait work, the chipout might not even be seen after a backer goes on. Edited April 13, 2019 by tomsteve OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollingforsanity Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 I get my 1/8 in BB the same place Scrappile does. Sometimes it is really good and sometimes not so much. Awhile back I checked them and it was terrible. I wanted 15 sheets so they ordered in 30 sheets and let me get first pick of what I wanted. Still got a couple that really chip out. No voids though. I used to get it from Sloans and it was good stuff but the shipping got to be to much for me. I get these 5x5 sheets for $ 15.99 so I figure I can have a little waste and still come out ahead. All I cut is stack cut ornaments. No large fret work. I lose a bottom ornament once in a while due to chip out. grizz OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 (edited) @scrollingforsanity, next time you are going to go, let me know ahead of time so I can get there before you and get the best pick!! Last time I went,,,, you must have been there before me because I left mad and empty handed. There customer service is hit and miss also. I was the only customer, four workers at the counter yakking and laughing, they looked at me as I came in but not one spoke, offered to help, nothing..... didn't even say good-bye when I went past them to leave. Been there other times when they were fighting to help me!!!! Edited April 14, 2019 by Scrappile OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 On 4/12/2019 at 8:43 PM, kmmcrafts said: So that's why they are always out of it when I go... I'm usually going there every few weeks.. but I gotta say.. they must miss me terribly.. I haven't been there since my CNC came in and I went to pick it up.. Matt helped me load it up and said see you in a couple weeks.. LOL.. That has been 2 months or better now..My wife has a store she loves to go to up there.. so she's always asking.. got anything you need at Johnson's ... that's my Que that she want to go shopping, The trick to get her to want me to go to Johnson's is.. I told her about my $0.55 a mile tax deduction I get for mileage for business but I have to buy something so I have proof i was there, Please don't ever tell her the truth, LOL... I do get the tax break for miles.. I just don't really have to buy stuff.. Shame on you Kevin. God's gonna get you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollingforsanity Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 I agree Paul the customer service is hit and miss. I usually talk to the owner and one or two other workers that acknowledge me the rest of them I don't even talk too. That seems to be the problem with a whole lot of stores now days no customer service. I will let you know next time I get them to order some for me. It will be a little while. grizz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachnlearn Posted April 14, 2019 Report Share Posted April 14, 2019 15 hours ago, scrollingforsanity said: I get my 1/8 in BB the same place Scrappile does. Sometimes it is really good and sometimes not so much. Awhile back I checked them and it was terrible. I wanted 15 sheets so they ordered in 30 sheets and let me get first pick of what I wanted. Still got a couple that really chip out. No voids though. I used to get it from Sloans and it was good stuff but the shipping got to be to much for me. I get these 5x5 sheets for $ 15.99 so I figure I can have a little waste and still come out ahead. All I cut is stack cut ornaments. No large fret work. I lose a bottom ornament once in a while due to chip out. grizz Got to remember wood is a natural product. Trees don't know we all want perfect boards. RJF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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