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View Full Version : 3 Ply versus 5 ply plywood



J Porter
11-06-2005, 1:07 AM
I've used some very nice baltic birch from Sloans which they tell me quarter inch stuff ONLY comes in 5 ply. I've also used some 3 ply plywood from a local manufacturer which I really like a lot. I have no idea what the wood is, but it looks good and takes stains very nicely.

The 3 ply is a lot easier to work with on the laser as I can cut quarter inch stuff using about 20 to 30% more speed. In reality the speed difference isn't much but every so often I get bad cuts in the 5 ply due to the glues that are used. Obviously, there's less glue in the 3 ply than in the 5 ply.

So I'm curious... What are you using? 3 ply? 5 ply?? Baltic birch? Something else?? Or do you even care as long as it looks good.

Joe Pelonio
11-06-2005, 3:21 PM
I use the 1/4" baltic from Rockler. It's 3 ply, two thin veneers with solid core, no voids. Cuts and engraves beautifully.

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