Travis Posted April 30, 2023 Report Share Posted April 30, 2023 Hi All. I'm writing up an article on Baltic Birch plywood for our Articles section and I thought I'd crowd-source some feedback as it relates to scrollers. What do you find Baltic Birch most useful for? What kind of projects? How else do you use it? Any tips you'd like to share? Please share your knowledge and experience. OCtoolguy and JessL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoney Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 (edited) I use BB mostly for fretwork projects. I have also used it for strength gussets on other wood working projects. Edited May 1, 2023 by stoney danny and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use plywood where strength is an issue. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollerpete Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use it for fretwork and also for backing OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Moreton Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use 1/8” BB double stacked for fine fretwork. I used to use it for backers as well (now I find less expensive options). I also liked using BB for Steve Goods wooden weaved boxes. danny and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I mostly use BB ply for detailed projects where I need the advantages of strength and stability that it provides over solid wood, ie Christmas ornaments, portraits, some types of word art (overlay), etc. I use it in projects where I don't want to grain to compete with the cut image, such as backer boards. I also use it for other WW'ing projects; drawer bottoms, cabinet backs, shop jigs, templates, etc. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson142 Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 In the past I used it for fretwork...lately I'm looking at my dwindling supply and using it as an investment. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ctutor Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use thin stuff for Alex Fox's stacked projects where the layers make up the pattern. Need the strength for some of the very fine details OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 My biggest use is the Alex Fox's bowls or baskets. OCtoolguy, Old Joe and don watson 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweb Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use it for fret work, backers and Christmas ornaments, RJ OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use it when my wallet gets too fat. Be_O_Be, MarieC, kmmcrafts and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use it mostly for Steve Goods projects like boxes, crosses, and any other things that I build. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I pretty much use it only for fretwork pictures, in 1/4" and 1/8" thickness. I have used it a couple times in boxes, but usually I use hardwoods for boxes. I use very little of it now that it is running around $60 a 5'x5' sheet. Might as well by hardwoods. I also understand there are different grades of BB. From what I have seen locally lately we are getting mostly the poorer grades. OCtoolguy, MarieC and don watson 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieC Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use the 1/2 inch for dovetail drawers for cabinets. I also like to paint (artwork) on it (1/4 and 1/2 inch). OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 So far, I've only used it to make the Steve Good tissue box covers. I'm not a fretwork guy. If warping is an issue, I might use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 50 minutes ago, MarieC said: I use the 1/2 inch for dovetail drawers for cabinets. I also like to paint (artwork) on it (1/4 and 1/2 inch). The 1/2" makes great stock for drawers and other square ish containers. Especially if you use the quarter, quarter, quarter method. OCtoolguy and MarieC 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 I use it from portraits, ornaments, gift card holder, layered projects like Alex Fox's, and I also use it for backers. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preprius Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 wooden kinectic sculptures use BB alot. I have used 1/8" as backers for intarsia. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted May 1, 2023 Report Share Posted May 1, 2023 Only thing new I can add that hasn't already been said is jigsaw puzzles.. the kind where you laminate a photo to the 1/8 - 1/4 BBply and cut into a puzzle. I tried regular ply for that once and it was a disaster.. but the BBply has good strength and no voids. I don't make many puzzles anymore but noticed that one hadn't been mentioned yet. I use it for most the other things that others have mentioned already. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 All of the above. Plus geared clocks, that in theory, run on a pendulum. I say in theory because the one I made doesn’t run. But it is on my to do list to try making it again. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 I use it mostly for portraits. It has gotten expensive though. $40 for a 4x8 sheet. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessL Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 I just can't wait to try it! OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 6 hours ago, Fish said: I use it mostly for portraits. It has gotten expensive though. $40 for a 4x8 sheet. What thickness? I just bought 3 5X5 sheets of 1/2" for $42 per. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankEV Posted May 2, 2023 Report Share Posted May 2, 2023 (edited) I use the 1/4 BB ply exclusively for fretwork art type panel backers. I use 5/32 in thk solid core project panels for the cut panels. I find even the best quality 1/8 in thk BB Ply is not nice looking enough lacking grain and color. Also it does tends to warp and will not lay flat. Edited May 2, 2023 by FrankEV OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe W. Posted May 3, 2023 Report Share Posted May 3, 2023 I'd guess 98% of everything I've cut has been using Baltic Birch - mostly 1/4" with 1/8" second runner up and the rest 1/2". And about 98% of the patterns have been Steve Good patterns (thanks Steve). The wood has a uniform color. Cut easily, takes stain and finishes well. Is locally available in various sizes, compared to hardwood. The quality is better than other plywood available at the box stores (HD/Lowes). That's my 2 pennies worth. Gene Howe and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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