I, for one, have been very happy with ApplePly. It comes in 4'x8' sheets. For most jigs and smaller projects, I buy "shop" grade -- very few dings from strapping or handling and a significant price break.
I, for one, have been very happy with ApplePly. It comes in 4'x8' sheets. For most jigs and smaller projects, I buy "shop" grade -- very few dings from strapping or handling and a significant price break.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
I just bought 3 sheets of 1/2" and 3 sheets of 3/4" Baltic Birch from Terry Lumber in Peninsula Ohio a couple months ago.
It was 60" x 60" - and it was spot on at 1/2" and 3/4".
It's also a pleasure to work with something like that since it makes it so easy to measure and cut.
As far as why it's 5' X 5' - I have searched high and low and nobody seems to know why.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
I got this from a BB distributor. The sheets are actually produced in 5' x 10' sheets for use locally, but for shipping cost reasons, they're cut down to 5' x 5' for the export market.
With regards to quality, several years ago I came across a batch of BB plywood that was about 1/8" out of square. That caused no small amount of grief, so now I always give sheet goods a quick check before cutting just to be sure. I haven't had any BB since that was out, but I've found other sheet goods that were.
I can't imagine handling a sheet of 5 x 10 3/4 BB solo.... It's hard enough w/ a 4x8 sheet.
Wow this post has legs. The reason I asked is because a few years ago I did see Baltic birch ply at the local menards, 5x5 sheets. It was advertised as Baltic birch. But have not looked lately.
Not just the weight.. have you handled a 5x5? I am 5'9 (and mostly square, i.e. my ape index is 1) and I can't reach the top of the sheet, so it's a total pain to carry around. Let alone doubling it's length..
I can handle 5x5 Baltic birch with no trouble, but 5x10 would be difficult.
I've got a sheet of 1" 4x8 MDF in my garage, left over from a project years ago. I had to move it last year, and about killed myself. That stuff is really heavy!
Back in my mid 30's I worked for a company and we made office furniture for in house use. 5x12 3/4 mdf was feed through the panel saw from time to time. I handled it by myself, the rest of the guys were smarter and two carried it to the panel saw.
Fortunately not an every day occurrence as most was 30" by 10' or 4x8. Also I was maintenance electrician for the company and only had to work in the shop when they were behind bad, to make prototypes, or I had nothing else to do.
No way could I handle one of those big sheets now, struggle with 4x8 melamine now. 5x5 3/4 BB is not bad to handle as I do have the wing span to do it.
Ron
The 5 x 5 sheets also don't fit in my panel saw, which I learned the hard way. Ah, time to break out the track saw.
- After I ask a stranger if I can pet their dog and they say yes, I like to respond, "I'll keep that in mind" and walk off
- It's above my pay grade. Mongo only pawn in game of life.