Baltic Birch At MDF Prices

If the first thing you notice upon cutting into same is that unmistakable stink of "fish glue", you shouldn't have long to wait.

I have been finding that Chinese Birch plywood at my local supplier for a bit less. It is great paint grade material for building cabinets. Sanded extra smooth if it is the same stuff.

Which one were you at? I was at the West Allis HD today and didn't see it. Or did you buy it all?

Mike

Maybe I'm out of the loop but the only Baltic Birch ply I've ever seen was 5 by 5. and the skids were stamped with Russian. The Oriental imposter is garbage. It warps, delaminates, provides inconsistant thickness within the same sheet and looks at you crosseyed when leaving the HD...no pun intended

Unfortunately some of that refuse found its way into my shop and into my cabinets...I've regreted it ever since.

Da False.

Nope.

UA100

In this case I am using Baltic as a generic term. It puts it right away as to what we are talking about.

Did you mean to say slant eyed?

So far so good. I've cut enough Baltic (the real stuff) to almost be able to grade it from across the room. The piece I bought will become a cart for a rotary phase convertor and maybe another thing or two of little consequence for the shoppe. I figured I'd wait before using it for something substantial.

UA100

$29.99? That's pretty high for MDF, isn't it?

-- Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland snipped-for-privacy@charm.net

I learned a few years back that true Baltic Birch plywood was originally from Northern Europe and that which came from Russia was a cheaper made and quality "Baltic Birch". Baltic Birch has become a common name used now days for a plywood that looks like the original Baltic Birch plywood. Appleply being the American version that commonly comes in 4x8 sheets.

but your saw will want more an hour after cutting it..

Mac

I saw 4x8 and 4x10 (IIRC) at a big hardwood dealer in the city. Same lil' blue furrin stamp.

Check your local laws on false advertising. Around these parts, if it's labeled "Baltic Birch" it has to be real Baltic birch and if it isn't, you can force them to replace it with the real stuff at their expense.

Mike

The yards selling 2x4's may be in for a big surprise. It is a term and most of the time the substitute for Baltic Birch is normally indicated. When I go to my local yard and ask for Baltic Birch they quickly let me know that what they sell is Russian plywood.

I find this type plywood referred to as Baltic Birch as a Circle Saw is often referred to as a Skil Saw, an adjustable wrench as a Crescent wrench, a Hex wrench referred to as an Allen wrench, an Adjustable line trimmer referred to as a Weed Eater.

Usually the company or region that first introduces a particular item has its name used to describe look alike products.

Re-read the first line.

UA100

Like Trojan?

Barry

My local Home Depots (2) in Savannah had something labeled maple/birch plywood for sale last May. I purchased 5 sheets of it for 29.99 each and built some great looking workshop cabinets and a big rolling cart. Wish I had purchased a skid of it as it was fairly void free and had fairly thick surface plys. Have not seen it again but will be first in line. Baltic Burch it ain't but great value.

"Beware of Greeks bearing Trojans."

But if they _advertise_ a Skil Saw and sell a B&D, and you wanted a Skil Saw, you'd complain, no?

What folks refer to and what is advertised are two different things. If you ask for Baltic and they tell you they have Russion, then they are doing the right thing. If they advertise Baltic and sell something else, that's false advertising. No one should be surprised.

Mike

Correct. I did not see any mention of an Advertisement until your post. I was under the impression that what we were takling about was not found in an ad.