Thread: Australian plywood sources - again

You could also try Drive Marine who were at the Sydney Wood Show over a few years, I spoke to the owner who seemed a top bloke and they supply all sorts of ply to the boating industry and the like.
DRIVE Marine Services

Does anyone know a reliable source of 2mm Plywood, not a common size and I know getting hoop pine in that size is neigh impossible, I have a large contract to produce around 100 model houses which utilize 2mm sheets but I'd rather not go down the MDF route as lasering MDF produces some nasty gases and will clog my filter up in no time at all.

I've seen a few sites for aircraft grade and A/A ply in 2mm but the cost per/sheet just completely strips away any margin I will have on the product

I'm looking for B/B or even B/C grade, most of the models are painted after being cut

Good aye all,

Have you looked at the BoatCraft Pacific online store. It probably has the largest range of plywood in Australia from the cheap chinese / asian stuff that Bunnings sells to top of the shelf Lloyds certified Mourikis Gaboon from Greece with Lloyds certification to meeting BS1088 standard. There is also bending plywood and the Birch from 0.4mm to 6mm thickness. If in NSW DRIVE Marine Services has access to the this full range at the same prices.

By the way a certain Plywood salesman told me that all of the plywood we rejected went to the major Hardware stores as they have no idea how to tell the quality as everything is sold on price.

Give it a go.

Dave

Originally Posted by LaserJack

Does anyone know a reliable source of 2mm Plywood, not a common size and I know getting hoop pine in that size is neigh impossible, I have a large contract to produce around 100 model houses which utilize 2mm sheets but I'd rather not go down the MDF route as lasering MDF produces some nasty gases and will clog my filter up in no time at all.

I've seen a few sites for aircraft grade and A/A ply in 2mm but the cost per/sheet just completely strips away any margin I will have on the product

I'm looking for B/B or even B/C grade, most of the models are painted after being cut

2mm ply is a pretty specialised product, aircraft/marine ply is likely the only option and it doesn't come cheap

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

2mm ply is a pretty specialised product, aircraft/marine ply is likely the only option and it doesn't come cheap

Thanks, I have found my local balsa supplier sells Bassply in 2mm, going to see if that is structurally strong enough for the kits, another option i found was Plyco in Melbourne who offered me a double veneer on a core which will net 2.2mm for around $66 a full sheet.

That's pretty good. Plyco are good for odd materials, they've started doing an ultra-bendy ply for us that we've been trying to track down for about 5 years

Originally Posted by Dave Giddings

By the way a certain Plywood salesman told me that all of the plywood we rejected went to the major Hardware stores as they have no idea how to tell the quality as everything is sold on price.

Thanks Dave, that's good info which I'll follow up. It sounds like you're in the plywood import industry?
Apart from the obvious quality considerations - it would be really nice to know where good sustainable plywood actually originates from, is the wood plantation? how many thousand km has it been shipped, how many child labourers were maimed per m2 during sheet production, etc. Is there a import standard or labelling scheme?
Been busy at work lately and haven't been able to get on the phone to any of these companies prior to closing time.
Cheers
- Mick

If you want something like the "Baltic Birch" ply used in the USA, you need to ask for "Multi-Ply" in Australia. There are some importers of birch ply, but it is often very expensive. There is some cheaper Russian (as opposed to Scandinavian) birch ply around. Last I looked it was possible to get 18mm at about $180 for a 1220 x 2440 sheet. 12mm was about $145.

The multi-ply has the same characteristics - many more laminations for a given thickness of ply that regular plywood. The laminations will be about 1.2mm to 1.4mm thick. Regular ply uis about twice that. Australian multi-ply is often hoop pine. Austral is one manufacturer, Gunnersons another, but others also make it. You should be able to get A-C and B-B grades. A-C will have a A grade core with almost no voids, but it will be pricey. B-B will be fine for jigs & workshop furniture etc.

I think DKM Forest Product were retailing Baltic ply, and also Bruynzeel in Sydney.

Marine ply won't give you that edge finish that I suspect you are looking for. It is also not (as many think) waterproof! It has a very high grade core and usually high grade A-A surfaces, as its important for marine use that bending is uniform, impact resistance id good and there are no checks or voids that would retain moisture and promote decay. Its also often available in select species that are suitable for marine use. It usually uses a grade of glue that is water resistant - such as a phenolic resin. But is still requires faces and edges to be properly coated for exterior use or it will delaminate.

Good post Ross - the confusion between Birch and Russian ply seems evident in quite a few youtube videos. In fact it seems the terms are used interchangeably and it good to actually know what the Australian version is. I'm not that hung up on edge finish although obviously I don't want the edge to start crumbling away, I believe BB grade is probably what I'm targeting for face quality.
Formwork ply seems like a potential alternative too - seems flat, tough and water resistant - any downsides to working with this material?
Cheers
- Mick

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

That's pretty good. Plyco are good for odd materials, they've started doing an ultra-bendy ply for us that we've been trying to track down for about 5 years

Plyco have been a great company for me to deal with so far, they have just opened up a new range of laserply to suit the growing laser cutting and engraving market which is great for me as before i had to get my supplies from interstate or worse case overseas

Mick
Just saw your thread on ply. Depending on what you want to build the Bunnings/Masters stock is OK if you can find B/C grade. I wanted to use birch ply for a cabinet so bought from DMK at Burleigh Heads - they have a good selection and are specialist birch imports - see www.dmkforestproducts.com.au.

cheers
charlie

Marine ply so-called is designed to meet a standard, usually BS1088 or the Australian AS/NZS 2272 which is a much higher standard. Basically, ply confirming to the AS/NZS must be AA and use formaldehyde glues, no voids etc etc etc. Usually hoop pine, and usually the most expensive available.

So for 'dress finish' in light pine colour, it's an excellent choice, but also can be stained to the stain of your choice IF you know what you're doing with stains. IF....

Most other 'marine' plys are at least BC and sometimes AB faced, with zero/minimal voids and utilise Exterior A-bond (formaldehyde-based) 100% waterproof glue.

So while it's correct to say that 'marine ply' is not "strictly speaking" completely waterproof, as someone else pointed out, the edges still need treating with epoxy or similar waterproofing to prevent wicking from the end grain especially, but generally speaking, even Bunnings stuff is OK.

I've used Bunnings 6mm BC and found small voids, but been able to work around them. I made a point of checking with the supply departemtnt and they guaranteed all Bunnings 'marine ply' uses A-bond glues. But that's all they'd guarantee.

Boatcraft Pacific I've used as well and been very impressed with their service and prices, and quality. Their mid-price-range stuff that's BS1088 (the British marine ply standard) is fine. I've had a dozen or more sheets in different thicknesses and no voids or dodgy sections so far.

For boatbuilding purposes, it's fine, and they additionally sell their own brand of epoxy, Bote-Cote, which knocks most other brands into the weeds on price and usability. 2:1 ratio makes mixing a cinch.

They ship anywhere and virtually insist you use two 3mm 'disposable' mdf sheets top and bottom of your order to protect it, which is more than some places will do.

So if I need 6mm I usally get it from Bunnings, saving the freight and hassle, but if I need 3mm or 4mm I get it from Boatcraft and either collect it while visiting with family in Brisbane or have it shipped.

Living where I do near Port Macquarie, it's not next day delivery, but I'm never that badly organised that this is an issue.

Originally Posted by WelderMick

Good post Ross - the confusion between Birch and Russian ply seems evident in quite a few youtube videos. In fact it seems the terms are used interchangeably and it good to actually know what the Australian version is. I'm not that hung up on edge finish although obviously I don't want the edge to start crumbling away, I believe BB grade is probably what I'm targeting for face quality.
Formwork ply seems like a potential alternative too - seems flat, tough and water resistant - any downsides to working with this material?
Cheers
- Mick

I guess it really depends on what you want to achieve. The reason people like the Birch ply/multi-ply material for jigs is that more laminations for a given thickness make it more stable and rigid. It also looks cool

Form ply is coated with a resin impregnated paper to make it easier to remove from the concrete - i.e. non-stick. So it may not be ideal if you want to glue it or put a finish on it. It will be more expensive that your basic construction ply, so unless you really need it for its properties, use a cheaper material Construction ply also has an A grade exterior quality glue for lamination. There are four types of glue bonds for ply laminations are defined and specified in "AS 2754.1 Adhesives for plywood Manufacture". The bond types are A, B, C and D, in decreasing order of durability under conditions of fully exposed weather conditions.

Also, Form Ply can have an A, B or C glue type - construction grade must have A - so if you want durability you are probably better with construction ply. As per my earlier comments - irrespective - if its for outdoor use you MUST seal the ply properly, in particular the edges.

Thanks for all the extra info guys. I really had no idea about the intricacies of the whole plywood scene. I've been a metalworker for ages, but only recently developing an interest for woodwork projects. My previous wood experience has been focussed on treated pine and a drop saw.
Cheers
- Mick