Thread: Finnish Birch

Finland is on the Baltic sea...hence here in Au they probably decided to call it Finnish rather than Baltic but I think you will find it is the same product.

I agree that Baltic Birch ply is is sourced from Finland and the Russian states. and the square sheets point to it being the same stuff.

When you see a sheet, it should be formed from veneers about 1.5mm thick maximum, so has typically around twice as many plys in the layup than a local style ply. (For thin sheets, the veneers will be very thin, 3mm in 5 ply is common so ply thickness is typically .6mm, and the finished sheet is available in sizes to below 1mm finished). There should be a good surface finish both sides, and no voids (cavities) in the exposed edges of the full sheet or items cut from the sheet.

I think you'll find these are trade names and may or may not come from Finland or the Baltic states, or contain any birch. One of their competitors goes by the helpful name of Apple Ply, as in good old apple pie. You guessed it. No apple and no pie.

Anyway, these plywoods use many more cores than the stuff we get down under, and have much less voids as well. Very nice stuff.

That said, where did you find some and how much was it.

Originally Posted by dcooper

Has anyone used "Finnish Birch " at all? I've noticed in a lot of the US magazines, they use "Baltic Birch". I've inquired at several local ply places and it seems they only have "Finnish Birch", but it only comes in 1200 x 1200 sheets, so I'm a bit reluctant to lash out and buy it if it doesn't give a good result. Thanks.

It's great stuff very stable and i have not had any trouble with voids. In fact it's the only ply I will NOW use. Costs a bit more but well worth it with very little wastage. Lucky if you can get it in 1200 x 1200 best I can do is 1200 X 2400.

cheers


Steve

You got that right...VERY expensive! I've been quoted $153 for a 1220x1220 x 4mm sheet from a place here on the North side of Brisbane.Don't know how that compares with elsewhere. Wouldn't want to be making any "Ooops, slips!" at that price!

Originally Posted by dcooper

You got that right...VERY expensive! I've been quoted $153 for a 1220x1220 x 4mm sheet from a place here on the North side of Brisbane.Don't know how that compares with elsewhere. Wouldn't want to be making any "Ooops, slips!" at that price!

That's a wee bit over the top

I buy from DMK, 1200 x 2400 x 12 $96. 1200 x 2400x10 $90.00 1200 x 2400 x 19 $150.00 or the thin stuff 1200 x 2400 x 1.5mm is $60.00

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve....DMK? who are they,am in Brisvegas.

John M

Originally Posted by ravna

Hi Steve....DMK? who are they,am in Brisvegas.

John M

Hi John

Don't know? I buy from either Biggera Waters of Burleigh, But for what they were charging could be worth a trip down the coast.


Cheers

Steve

Hi John, I'm in Brisvegas too. I've emailed DMK and asked if they have an agent in Bris. or would they deliver. I will post their reply when/if I receive one.
Regards, Des Copoer

Thanks Des....Just Googled DMK up and they only seem to be down the coast. I have also found Amerind lately and am about to call them for pricing, see http://www.amerind.com.au/

John