Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jul 03, 2006 06:19am | #1

   Baltic Birch comes in several grades of quality.   Your supplier probably stocks a grade which permits surface patches.   Are you building drawer boxes with an applied front?  If so, you can often arrange your cutting so that surface imperfections are out of view on the front or rear of the drawer box.

1. 
   MBaybut | Jul 03, 2006 06:26am | #2

   Thanks,
   Yes, I've managed to do that and work around it. So I should tell them I want top grade?
   Mike

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jul 03, 2006 07:07am | #3

   You can talk to your supplier and see what he's got, but my sources stock only one grade of Baltic Birch.   There are also other similar products which generally offer better quality, albeit at a higher price.   In my area, we see Finn Ply and Apple Ply.  Finn Ply is from Finland, and made from the same birch as Baltic Birch.   However, it is an 4'x8' panel instead of the 5'x5' of Baltic Birch.   Apple Ply is maple (despite the name), and is made in North America.  It too is 4x8.

   Another issue with Baltic Birch is whether it is flat.   In the last few years, the Baltic Birch in my local dealers has often been warped.   FinnPly and ApplePly tend to have less warp.   If you're making drawer sides, flatness is a very good thing.

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 04, 2006 07:39pm | #7

   The "Best" grade of baltic birch is B/B. Baltic birch is not intended for clear coating on exterior showing surfaces. The "B" face grade would not normally allow patches but does allow the veneer to be made up of multiple pieces. There should be no voids.Are you sure you actually recieved "baltic birch"? There are some chinese baltic birch around that is not very good.Howie.........

2. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 03, 2006 11:24pm | #4

   No info in your profile, would make it easier for supply info to know where you are located.

    

   In the NW, I get OKUME - which is in 4x8 sheets and not too bad on price - I usually get at least 1 good face

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
1. 
   MBaybut | Jul 03, 2006 11:35pm | #5

   Rick,
   Yes sorry about the profile. I'll update it now.
   Thanks.

1. 
   Ricks503 | Jul 04, 2006 12:13am | #6

   I did not mean to harp on that, but with the international composition of this forum, it makes it easier for us to give advise (and opinions) on woodworking issues and suppliers. Wood has differant movement issues in Salt Lake City than it does in Houston or in Amsterdam...1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

3. 
   jazzdogg | Jul 05, 2006 12:28am | #8

   I had a student last semester who went to the local big box and bought birch ply, not knowing that Baltic birch is a horse of an entirely different color - it was full of voids, slightly warped, and the stamps said it was made in China. He couldn't understand why so many of us spoke so highly of BB when the product he purchased was clearly sub-standard; he was chagrined to find that what he bought was not BB .

   Any chance you bought regular old birch ply?

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   MBaybut | Jul 05, 2006 10:18am | #10

   I went back to the supplier and asked them if they had any other grades of BB. They didn't, and went on to admit about it not being very good. It was definatly BB as per reciept and 5x5 sheet size.
   Mike

4. 
   wrudiger | Jul 05, 2006 08:19am | #9

   I've used the Appleply for drawers (51 of 'em, actually) in the kitchen.  Very few voids, and none of the footballs. 

   Another thing to consider - prefinished.  The finish I get is called Nova, and has 2 coats of UV-cure clear epoxy.  The stuff's tuff and beats the heck out of finishing all those drawers (just need to brush on the top edge - goes pretty fast).  Oh yea, and prefinished drawer bottoms :-)