Replies

1. 
   james | Nov 13, 2008 05:48pm | #1

   P.A.L.S. should have this in the city... 415-648-7257 2035 newcomb ave.

    

   james

1. 
   rdasilva | Nov 14, 2008 04:27am | #4

   Called them, they do not carry phenolic ply.

2. 
   Dave45 | Nov 13, 2008 05:52pm | #2

   I'm not sure what "Phenolic" is, but you could try MacBeath Hardwood in SF or Berkeley.

   Another possibility would be Aura Hardwood. Aura has a store in San Jose, and a couple of others near the Bay Area.

1. 
   rdasilva | Nov 14, 2008 04:33am | #5

   Thanks, but I always check MacBeath first. They can order it (10 sheet minimum), but I only need a couple of sheets.Aura is a no-go as well.

1. 
   jeffs | Nov 14, 2008 09:32am | #7

   Maybe a couple of guys to go in with you on the 10 sheet minimum?

   I would be interested but likely only in one, maybe two sheets (I live on the pennisula)

   Jeff

1. 
   rdasilva | Nov 14, 2008 05:21pm | #8

   Hey Jeff... thats not a bad idea. If we can show MacBeath that there's a demand for the stuff, maybe they'll start to stock it.If anyone in the Bay Area is interested, post here with the quantity you're interested in and once we have a minimum order or close to it, I'll talk to MacBeath or another vendor about an order.If you don't know what phenolic ply is, take a look at the FW article here: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopPDF.aspx?id=30588It's probably the best material for shop-made jigs and work surfaces.

2. 
   Dave45 | Nov 14, 2008 05:40pm | #9

   If prefinished 1/2" "Baltic" Birch would be an acceptable substitute, Aura (in San Jose) sells it in 5' x 5' sheets, as well as narrower strips (12" & 18") with rounded and finished edges.I started using it this year for my drawer boxes and love the stuff. It's as stable as a rock, and the finish (whatever it is) is as slick and smooth as glass. My stain/finish time is much lower now that I don't have to shoot the drawer boxes. - lolI haven't tried using it for any jigs yet, but think that it would work quite well.

1. 
   rdasilva | Nov 14, 2008 06:33pm | #10

   Hi Dave- That's good stuff, but doesn't compare to phenolic in toughness and resistance to glue and finish spills. The ply *is* Baltic Birch with an impregnated phenolic face. The phenolic material is the same stuff they make billiard balls out of. Think Formica countertop.

1. 
   Dave45 | Nov 14, 2008 07:41pm | #11

   Oh well, it was just a thought. - lolIf you can't find the phenolic stuff, another "work around" might be to get 1/2" unfinished baltic birch and laminate Formica onto it.**DISCLAIMER** -
   Feel free to ignore my ideas if you wish. I've always been one of those "outside the box" thinkers who just can't resist coming up with Plans B, C, D, ......., etc when Plan A hit a snag. Many of them were quite successful, and others were catastrophic. - lol

3. 
   Woodman41 | Nov 14, 2008 04:20am | #3

   Definitely Plywood and Lumber Sales (PALS)

4. 
   rdasilva | Nov 14, 2008 04:39am | #6

   Thanks to all for the suggestions. I'm pretty much up on all the well known vendors in the area. I just haven't been able to find it. If anyone knows if a place actually stocks the stuff, I'd be truly grateful.

5. 
   DrChops | Nov 15, 2008 09:59pm | #12

   hi,
   went by the whitecap in livermore yesterday, and they definitely have (brown) phenolic faced (both sides) 11-ply 3/4" 4x8 sheets. i think the product is called "stayform". they have about a half-dozen or so in stock, and can get more "in a day". (they have the paper-faced stuff too, but that's a topic for breaktime. :-) i've had my eye on the phenolic for making shop cabinets. at $31.15 a sheet, it's about the same cost as raw baltic birch at higgins, and i don't have to put finish on it. hope this helps.
   cheers,
   bert

   if it's worth doing at all, then it's worth doing well.
1. 
   Woodman41 | Nov 16, 2008 06:34am | #13

   hmmm you might try a building supply that serves commercial contractors, stayform is used for reusable concrete forms. I hadn't even thought of that until your post, I might make a few calls myself as I've been meaning to build a new router table and phenolic could make a good top.

2. 
   rdasilva | Nov 16, 2008 08:21am | #14

   Thanks DrC, but as I mentioned in my opening post, I've seen the stuff at Whitecap and it is not of the quality I need. The stuff is standard fir ply with a phenolic paper facing. It's great for concrete forms, but not so great for shop jigs and fixtures. At $30/sheet, you get what you pay for. A sheet of solid birch ply phenolic (no voids) is typically $100 or more a sheet.

6. 
   xirebos | Nov 16, 2008 08:32pm | #15

   FWIW, Here in Dallas, the local Woodcraft store stocks a small amount of phenolic.

   Don't know if you've already tried there or were looking for a different version, but you could call one of the Bay Area stores or ask them to order some into the store to avoid shipping(?).

1. 
   rdasilva | Nov 17, 2008 03:19am | #16

   Yep, It's the right stuff. Woodcraft sells it here as well, but they only sell small pieces (24"x48") and they want $60 for that quarter sheet!

7. 
   gb93433 | Nov 17, 2008 03:21am | #17

   Are you looking for MDO?

1. 
   rdasilva | Nov 17, 2008 03:28am | #18

   No gb, what i'm looking for is covered in this article: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopPDF.aspx?id=30588

8. 
   user-3372194 | Oct 29, 2018 02:13pm | #19

   Hey there,  I know this post is a million years old,  but did OP ever get an answer?  I'm facing this same problem 10 years later!   Thanks  -Mai