I am from Latvia! One of the Baltic countries. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are on the south side of Baltic sea, and they are called Ballistic countries. I live and work in Southern California, and used this plywood for years. But once( approximately 2004) I saw the shipped pallet with stamp on it" MADE IN LATVIA " at my local hardwood lumber store "Mayan Hardwood"! Oh boy, was I proud of my little, tiny country making this plywood, and #1 country in the world is buying and using it! So good to be Latvian in America!
The author does like to from scratch, ruclips.net/user/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practise the full stack project, is still great.
@@WoodworkersSourcecom Everything you skimmed over I want to see a video about! For instance, the different grades of Baltic birch, all the different kinds of plywood, etc.
I don't even know how I stumbled across your video but I like you--you're believable, knowledgeable and not pretentious. I'm going to subscribe and see what else you have that I can learn from!
I know this is an advertising method; however, I am so pleased to see instruction on product that we would otherwise not have known. I for one applaud you for reaching out to those less knowledgeable and I always support Woodworkers source for quality product, verbal support, professional handling of machinery and now availablity of information on RUclips. Great job Sir (Corey).
Good way to prevent splintering the face of Baltic Birch, especially if you're cutting it using a circular saw is to set the blade so it just barely makes it through and put masking tape along the backside of the cut. i've also found it cuts well when you place it on a sheet of cheap 1" foam board insulation. Higher tooth count also helps.
Superb information for those that have very little idea about plywood, like me. Didn't even know there was a difference between stains and dyes. Make sure to watch till the end.
Using 1/2" and 3/4" baltic birch to build a cabinet with 8 drawers in it. I'm living and breathing baltic birch right now. This video was great. You lay out the information and keep it interesting!
Nice tip on the adhesive. My local supplier does 4x8 sheets. I just checked, and yes, it's exterior adhesive, at least on the B/BB I ordered. Took me a long time to find this supplier up in Baltimore. Getting full sheets of Baltic Birch delivered is a non-starter for most retailers, and most larger places don't want to deal with the public.
I just bought a sheet of 4x8 3/4 thick. It most likely has exterior adhesive. I am not a woodworker and am doing a project in which this will be use as a platform bed in a conversion van. I bought it because it was supposed tonneau the strongest thing you can find. Do I need to return and get a 5x5. Is there a huge difference in strength or something??
@@ryanperk7380 Just support it properly, like any other plywood. The plywood itself should be just fine. The only real difference is that the exterior adhesive is darker.
As a new woodworker myself, I find this video helpful. Going into the store to shop for wood can be intimidating, especially when staff start calling out the inches and u have a blank stare. I have to look at the wood first. Thank you
Fantastic information. I discovered Baltic Birch while building a custom game table. I needed a light weight but strong plywood and found Baltic Birch at my local Menards. It worked amazingly well. And my customer was extremely happy. From now on this will be the only plywood that I use for my projects. Thanks again for a wonderful video.
(FYI) A lot of birches are cut in Latvia. One of the Baltic countries.I am from Latvia, and we use plywood a lot. Its one of the common material in woodworking. Thx for you great video. I am new at your channel!!!
There is so much to love about this video. Fast-paced with so much useful information. As a retired forty year shop teacher, who worked many summers as a carpenter, always a pleasure listening to and watching someone who's got the goods. My first job out of high school (say . . . 1970) was as a video editor for a network television station. Man ! this is nicely put together: the pace, sequencing, just flows along without any noticeable dead spots. Baltic Birch? Wish I could have afforded it on my last project, (say, pension level budget) but really, how much longer will I have to live with this regret? The price is not that big a deal. Hey, the extra time it took dealing with the materials I chose to use, I would have had several pension cheques to cover the extra cost (not to mention the money I could have saved on sandpaper and rejected material). Enough. Gotta go hit that subscribe button . . .
Hey Mark, You're the man my friend. This presentation was flawless !! Content, clarity, speed, cadence, you've got it all. If you ever decide you want to move on from woodworking, you've got a second career just waiting for you. Hope you have more videos available on RUclips. Going to look now. Thanks again !
Good stuff, no garbage music or long filler introductions, just meat! The dye on Baltic Birch really opens up worlds for me. Thank you.I saw another one from woodworkers source on finishing quartersawn oak, the information from which I use almost daily. Subscribed.
Comments from Europe: I've been working now several years with Baltic Birch, never knew that the dark glue lines meant 'waterproof'. We only have these panels available. When it comes to thickness there's also 27 mm available and some lumber yards sell 36 mm panels (two 18 mm panels industrially glued together). As a pro I pay about 22 EUR per square metre nowadays. Thanks for the movie!
thanks for this. I have been using and selling this stuff for a few years (I work in a woodworking store). I have been thinking of it as plywood as it was meant to be. The strength, stability and workability are so much better than conventional plywood that it is almost a different category of material. But you are right, it is a bit disappointing under finish. Now I understand why. So much useful information in this video.
Great video! Here in NC the Wurth Wood Group is my source for Baltic Birch. Their price isn't much more than a poor quality sheet from a home improvement store. I've decided to never purchase my ply from those box stores after my experience with Baltic Birch. I've started purchasing the 5/8 thickness for some projects instead of the heavier 3/4 when 1/2 isn't an option. It's nice to have the flexibility of that choice of thicknesses that the home stores don't offer. Thanks for the finishing tips for BB. Actually thanks for all your finishing suggestions. You have become my go to source for all my finishing needs. IMO this is the best no non-sense finishing channel on YT.
Baltic birch is a premium product at a premium price, but 5/8 for cabinets will give you the same performance as 3/4 in other plywoods. That helps to off set the price.
I have been woodworking for many years and it is a pleasure to hear someone that KNOWS HIS STUFF... Baltic Birch.. Great product... Nice informative video.. Thank you..
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Looked all around for a great plywood for an upcoming RV renovation, now I think I have found it. We will come to your store for our build. This is truly what businesses need to post about their products. Great content. Big Bear CA
Thanks for the video Mark! I've used Finnish "Baltic" Birch plywood (I'm over in Finland, so not Baltic and definitely not Russian!) for years to make all sorts of jigs and contraptions around the shop. I see plywood as more of an engineered product than as wood, especially given its different anisotropy to solid wood. Once you're able to start working with the material to produce clean sharp edges and work down to tenths of a mm, it definitely becomes more like engineering. My favourite has been my reduction pantograph for routing inlays for guitar fingerboards. It's solid, flex-free and accurate, yet made for pennies. We also get thicker gauges over here; 21mm, 24mm and 30mm being the daddies of the lot.
@@lunatik9696 I really can't speak to what gauges you guys get over in the states. I mean, at some point it becomes more valid to laminate sheets rather than import it full thickness for occasional jobs. I normally see gauges like 3, 4, 6, 6.5, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50mm. Grading varies from basic "well glued" which can have face voids, cracks and joins (but still be at thickness) through to various grades of acceptable faults/veneer joins, Dutchmen stamps and finally furniture grade which is immediately sandable and finishable. I guess that 5/4 would be "five quarters of an inch" or 32mm?
You do a great job of giving accurate useful information. I know that you are also trying to promote your business, but the content always comes out without any kind of commercial bias. If I lived near your stores, or if I didn't love my local hardwood store so much, I'd be bringing my little bit of business to you. Thanks for great videos!
There is no comparison between Baltic birch and other plywood. I live in NJ and there aren't many places near me that carry it as it is more expensive and the big box stores don't carry it. But it is worth the drive to pick it up when I can. All your videos are excellent and informative.
Great video! Just what I've needed. A friend of mine is redoing an old barn an making it into a 1bd house and their using this Birch wood. I never that they whomever would turn birch wood/trees into a plywood form. I lived in Maine for 6 yrs. We made scandals every some out of the outside stripes. Amazing. And I hope it's the same wood your talking about. If not I must sound like a coo coo for coco puffs! 😜🤣🤣
Just ordered Baltic Birch packs in 3/4" and 1/2". (today is 11-12-2021) Just no luck finding it in the Space Coast area of Florida. And tired of the junk sold at the Big Box stores. I remember seeing this video and thought what the heck, I'll give it a shot. Have to wait 2 weeks and the shipping was a bit much but it is what it is.
For holding down the 1/8” stock in my laser cutter I use the little round button magnets as the bed is metal. You can also stack them for a better magnetic hold. Love your videos!
This is the first video of yours I've seen, and your expertise is obvious and explanation is easy for newbs like me to understand. Thanks and keep them coming!
Mark, I just thoroughly enjoy your videos and your personable style. Man, I wish you guys had stores near me! Fortunately, I do have a pretty decent lumber mill / kiln / wood store near me. While they have mostly North American hardwoods, they do carry a limited number of exotics and (thankfully!!) Baltic birch ply with decent prices. I echo everything that was said about the poor quality of plywood in big box stores made by other folks here. It’s unbelievable! Thanks for all you do!
Baltic Birch (Void-less) is used by the top guitar and bass amplifier cabinet manufacturers like Mesa/Boogie, Marshall, Orange, etc. I've built quite a few myself too. It's readily available at the big-box stores and it's pretty easy to work with, although a bit heavy and expensive, at least for ply-wood.
Excellent video! Not all of us have a jointer, planer, drum sander, etc. but we still have (want) to make stuff. So sheet goods it is. Thanks for the info!
Good to see a straight forward, informative video without all the theatrics. The more I see someone doing a video with all the theatrics, the less credible they become to me. So thanks.
Nice Job. I'm making a lot of speakers and exploring all kinds of ply and making my own ply with curves for horn speakers. I think African Mahogany is really cool looking.
Many years ago, I got a Delta Contractor table saw. I did the initial upgrade, replacing the bearings (I think I used SKF) and tried improving the belt drive. Frankly, the hype over the twist-lock belts is over the top. So I used poly-vee sheeves, and what we usually call a serpentine belt. Okay, now it's smooth and quiet. Back when eBay had good stuff, I scored a couple of Marathon 2HP motors that had C-face mounts. I wanted one on the table saw, so I designed a platform made out of Baltic birch plywood. That stuff is only slightly less rigid than cast iron! It held the motor just fine. Wonderful stuff. No warp or twist, no voids.
Birch ply has been used in the manufacture of aircraft for many decades. A testament to its strength and versatility. Today it's found mainly in experimental or "homebuilts". While overshadowed by resin composite materials, it still has it's place.
Great info! I'm currently building a tool box out of Baltic Birch. Strong and durable just didn't know the back story on it. Using a sanding sealer and then a semi-gloss to finish it.
That was the greatest bedtime story ever! I like it. Makes me want to come see your store and shop. Great presentation, explanations and learning experience. I thought I knew most of it but didn't know about the exterior adhesive color. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mark. I’m a recent subscriber and have already learned a lot. Never too old to learn when you truly love woodworking. Many Thanks and keep up the great work!
Excellent explanation. People can read much faster than they talk, so I appreciate the efficient, rapid presentation as it makes it easier to process and integrate/remember salient points.
I'm in UK so things may be different. Ours seems to be from Finland. I used this for building small boats among other things and it has been used for car chassis (Marcos). It can be purchased in thicknesses from 1.5mm to 18mm (even thinner ones can be found - I have some 0.8mm). The thinner stuff can be used for curves. 8x4 can be obtained with the grain running across the sheet. Also you can buy it with softwood cores and birch outer. It is superb material to work with, it can be used with epoxy fillets. Drawbacks - if you store it anywhere that is the least bit damp you can get mould on the surface and it is expensive, but worth every penny!
Sand it, throw on half a dozen coats of home-made wipe-on poly and I'm good. I don't even cover the edges anymore, I burnish them with a 1/2" high-grade stainless steel bar in my router, after sanding, and coat with poly.
Great informative video! Just one thing about the thickness. The 1/2” is actually 15/32”. I know right pretty close. But for 1/2” dados that leaves a petty loose fit. 1/32” gap. Making a box with two side equates to 1/16” off. I am not making a spaceship, but that difference does play into the mix. I do love working with it though.
What should definitely get a mention is phenolic coated birch plywood. It's almost waterproof and the surface is really wear resistant. That's why it's used as trailer beds for example (well, at least here in Austria/Europe) or as the panels for flight/stage cases (in 7 or 9mm thickness). It is also a really nice material for jigs (especially if you need a really "slippery" surface). Almost nothing sticks to the smooth face, which is why I use it as a glue up table surface. Hardened glue just flakes off and paint can easily be removed either just mechanically with a plastic scraper or with a little solvent (the phenolic resists the usual solvents). And it also looks nice on cabinet doors and other shop furniture without any need for finish.
Mark this video was a grand slam home run! I have been wondering about Baltic Birch for a long time, and you just gave me a tremendous bunch of information about it. Now I’ve got to find a source so I can put it in my workshop. Thanks again
I watched this because I am buying a boat. The cabin has cheap, unfinished, exposed plywood that usually you spend lots of money on trying to cover it up. But I got to thinking... can't I just stain/gel/dye and clear coat the plywood itself? Naw, you can't do that. Why? No one does. Right?? Well I searched and found you. And yep, you can finish plywood and make it look nice with just a few coats of clear. Thanks for the video!
I recently used for workbench legs and rails by gluing multiple layers. Made for a very heavy and solid, all-Birch base and looks good with Tung Oil finish. Thanks!
If you have carbide knives in your jointer or planer I understand the damage is less a concern. I’ve used carbide router bits on the material and have had no issues. I have wrecked a couple sets of HSS jointer knives on this stuff before I realized what was happening. Make yourself a tapering/jointing sled for your table saw if you need to get dead flat edges for jigs or assembly table tops. As a newer woodworker you may not think you want to start out with this stuff but trust me and go with it, the quality and stability of this product is second to none, if it warps on you then you must really have mishandled it, you almost have to try. If cutting dados, check between different sheets, I have seen up to a mm in variation of thickness between two different sheet, so always check your router dado jig or dado stack set up between sheets. Leaving the edge exposed actually looks great on bookcases, embrace the look of the edge and even get creative with it.
been using baltic for decades for cabinetry (especially good for drawer boxes), for craft projects. It is on the extreme hard side of woods so cutting tools tend to dull quicker lathe work, it is extremely stable
Dude, I have been watching since your first video, and I always learn something. I really feel like I'm just spending some time with a good buddy who knows more about woodworking than I do. :D
Will General Finishes exterior 450 water based wood stain work, or do I need a gel stain? The customer wants it in Red Mahogany. What do you recommend?
hello i just purchased a new set of drums and they are made from birchwood 4 ply and they sound great ilike to tell you and the sound is warm fat solid a good drum sound
Fantastic - no BS, down to business
You got it, that's the whole idea 👍 thanks for watching.
Seriously. This is great. Thanks!
Yep, superb video thank you
Woodworkers Source cost
uhhh except the intro music and the BS
I am from Latvia! One of the Baltic countries. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia are on the south side of Baltic sea, and they are called Ballistic countries. I live and work in Southern California, and used this plywood for years. But once( approximately 2004) I saw the shipped pallet with stamp on it" MADE IN LATVIA " at my local hardwood lumber store "Mayan Hardwood"! Oh boy, was I proud of my little, tiny country making this plywood, and #1 country in the world is buying and using it! So good to be Latvian in America!
The author does like to from scratch, ruclips.net/user/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practise the full stack project, is still great.
I watch at least 20 woodworking shows on RUclips , that was the was the most informative I have ever watched in 5 years. Thanks
Mark always does great videos, Cliff. They also have great wood products at Woodworkers Source as well.
Happy to help! Thanks
You could do a whole series on plywood and I would watch every minute of it. Great production and information once again! Thank you!
Right on. Thank you much!
@@WoodworkersSourcecom Everything you skimmed over I want to see a video about! For instance, the different grades of Baltic birch, all the different kinds of plywood, etc.
Same! :D
@@TheArtificiallyIntelligent 😫 b
I don't even know how I stumbled across your video but I like you--you're believable, knowledgeable and not pretentious. I'm going to subscribe and see what else you have that I can learn from!
I know this is an advertising method; however, I am so pleased to see instruction on product that we would otherwise not have known. I for one applaud you for reaching out to those less knowledgeable and I always support Woodworkers source for quality product, verbal support, professional handling of machinery and now availablity of information on RUclips. Great job Sir (Corey).
Hard to believe that some people downvoted this video. Thanks for this information. Particularly on the interior vs exterior adhesive.
Apparently jealousy of one's product knowledge is a real thing.
Good way to prevent splintering the face of Baltic Birch, especially if you're cutting it using a circular saw is to set the blade so it just barely makes it through and put masking tape along the backside of the cut. i've also found it cuts well when you place it on a sheet of cheap 1" foam board insulation. Higher tooth count also helps.
I just really like this guy. I watch basically every video they put up.
You'll be invited to Thanksgiving dinner 🦃
Superb information for those that have very little idea about plywood, like me. Didn't even know there was a difference between stains and dyes. Make sure to watch till the end.
Very well said. Most folks have no idea about baltic birch.
Using 1/2" and 3/4" baltic birch to build a cabinet with 8 drawers in it. I'm living and breathing baltic birch right now. This video was great. You lay out the information and keep it interesting!
It’s a really good product, I’m using 1/2” for drawer boxes and I’m loving it.
Nice tip on the adhesive. My local supplier does 4x8 sheets. I just checked, and yes, it's exterior adhesive, at least on the B/BB I ordered.
Took me a long time to find this supplier up in Baltimore. Getting full sheets of Baltic Birch delivered is a non-starter for most retailers, and most larger places don't want to deal with the public.
I just bought a sheet of 4x8 3/4 thick. It most likely has exterior adhesive. I am not a woodworker and am doing a project in which this will be use as a platform bed in a conversion van. I bought it because it was supposed tonneau the strongest thing you can find. Do I need to return and get a 5x5. Is there a huge difference in strength or something??
@@ryanperk7380 Just support it properly, like any other plywood. The plywood itself should be just fine. The only real difference is that the exterior adhesive is darker.
Production, content, tone, speed, delivery, all excellent. Thanks for the great video.
Giancarlo Espinosa thank you!!
Good video. Man the price has gone up on the Baltic Burch it's $220 a sheet now.
Love this thanks for posting. Working with Baltic birch for first time on a coffee table project.
As a new woodworker myself, I find this video helpful. Going into the store to shop for wood can be intimidating, especially when staff start calling out the inches and u have a blank stare. I have to look at the wood first. Thank you
Fantastic information. I discovered Baltic Birch while building a custom game table. I needed a light weight but strong plywood and found Baltic Birch at my local Menards. It worked amazingly well. And my customer was extremely happy. From now on this will be the only plywood that I use for my projects. Thanks again for a wonderful video.
I'm building birch plywood cabinets and your video was right on time. Thanks!
Excellent to the point no stupid showmanship just easily digestible knowledge!!!
Really like how you educate: Fast, informative, fun. Keep up the great work!
Good deal thanks for watching 👍
(FYI) A lot of birches are cut in Latvia. One of the Baltic countries.I am from Latvia, and we use plywood a lot. Its one of the common material in woodworking. Thx for you great video. I am new at your channel!!!
Are the prices there a big different in the price in a sheet of birch plywood because of that?
There is so much to love about this video. Fast-paced with so much useful information. As a retired forty year shop teacher, who worked many summers as a carpenter, always a pleasure listening to and watching someone who's got the goods. My first job out of high school (say . . . 1970) was as a video editor for a network television station. Man ! this is nicely put together: the pace, sequencing, just flows along without any noticeable dead spots. Baltic Birch? Wish I could have afforded it on my last project, (say, pension level budget) but really, how much longer will I have to live with this regret? The price is not that big a deal. Hey, the extra time it took dealing with the materials I chose to use, I would have had several pension cheques to cover the extra cost (not to mention the money I could have saved on sandpaper and rejected material). Enough. Gotta go hit that subscribe button . . .
Hey Mark, You're the man my friend. This presentation was flawless !! Content, clarity, speed, cadence, you've got it all. If you ever decide you want to move on from woodworking, you've got a second career just waiting for you. Hope you have more videos available on RUclips. Going to look now. Thanks again !
Good stuff, no garbage music or long filler introductions, just meat! The dye on Baltic Birch really opens up worlds for me. Thank you.I saw another one from woodworkers source on finishing quartersawn oak, the information from which I use almost daily. Subscribed.
Comments from Europe: I've been working now several years with Baltic Birch, never knew that the dark glue lines meant 'waterproof'. We only have these panels available. When it comes to thickness there's also 27 mm available and some lumber yards sell 36 mm panels (two 18 mm panels industrially glued together). As a pro I pay about 22 EUR per square metre nowadays. Thanks for the movie!
He didn’t say the dark glue lines are “waterproof”, he said that it was exterior grade glue. There is a difference.
@@critter469 To mee it looks like same thing. That's fenolic glue🇧🇷👍
thanks for this. I have been using and selling this stuff for a few years (I work in a woodworking store). I have been thinking of it as plywood as it was meant to be. The strength, stability and workability are so much better than conventional plywood that it is almost a different category of material. But you are right, it is a bit disappointing under finish. Now I understand why. So much useful information in this video.
Happy to help
What a great video, so much info and so concisely presented. If I lived closer, I'd shop at your store just for this.
These videos are hands down the best woodworking content on youtube!
Great video! Here in NC the Wurth Wood Group is my source for Baltic Birch. Their price isn't much more than a poor quality sheet from a home improvement store. I've decided to never purchase my ply from those box stores after my experience with Baltic Birch. I've started purchasing the 5/8 thickness for some projects instead of the heavier 3/4 when 1/2 isn't an option. It's nice to have the flexibility of that choice of thicknesses that the home stores don't offer. Thanks for the finishing tips for BB. Actually thanks for all your finishing suggestions. You have become my go to source for all my finishing needs. IMO this is the best no non-sense finishing channel on YT.
Baltic birch is a premium product at a premium price, but 5/8 for cabinets will give you the same performance as 3/4 in other plywoods. That helps to off set the price.
I have been woodworking for many years and it is a pleasure to hear someone that KNOWS HIS STUFF... Baltic Birch.. Great product... Nice informative video.. Thank you..
Thank you for watching
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Looked all around for a great plywood for an upcoming RV renovation, now I think I have found it. We will come to your store for our build. This is truly what businesses need to post about their products. Great content. Big Bear CA
Thanks for the video Mark! I've used Finnish "Baltic" Birch plywood (I'm over in Finland, so not Baltic and definitely not Russian!) for years to make all sorts of jigs and contraptions around the shop. I see plywood as more of an engineered product than as wood, especially given its different anisotropy to solid wood. Once you're able to start working with the material to produce clean sharp edges and work down to tenths of a mm, it definitely becomes more like engineering. My favourite has been my reduction pantograph for routing inlays for guitar fingerboards. It's solid, flex-free and accurate, yet made for pennies. We also get thicker gauges over here; 21mm, 24mm and 30mm being the daddies of the lot.
That's fantastic to know about the thicker options, too. Thanks
I have heard about 5/4 Baltic birch, but never could find it.
@@lunatik9696 I really can't speak to what gauges you guys get over in the states. I mean, at some point it becomes more valid to laminate sheets rather than import it full thickness for occasional jobs. I normally see gauges like 3, 4, 6, 6.5, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50mm. Grading varies from basic "well glued" which can have face voids, cracks and joins (but still be at thickness) through to various grades of acceptable faults/veneer joins, Dutchmen stamps and finally furniture grade which is immediately sandable and finishable. I guess that 5/4 would be "five quarters of an inch" or 32mm?
Super video. Precisely informative, straight to the point. Thank you.
You do a great job of giving accurate useful information. I know that you are also trying to promote your business, but the content always comes out without any kind of commercial bias. If I lived near your stores, or if I didn't love my local hardwood store so much, I'd be bringing my little bit of business to you. Thanks for great videos!
We certainly ca appreciate that! Thanks -
There is no comparison between Baltic birch and other plywood. I live in NJ and there aren't many places near me that carry it as it is more expensive and the big box stores don't carry it. But it is worth the drive to pick it up when I can. All your videos are excellent and informative.
Great video! Just what I've needed. A friend of mine is redoing an old barn an making it into a 1bd house and their using this Birch wood. I never that they whomever would turn birch wood/trees into a plywood form. I lived in Maine for 6 yrs. We made scandals every some out of the outside stripes. Amazing. And I hope it's the same wood your talking about. If not I must sound like a coo coo for coco puffs! 😜🤣🤣
Just ordered Baltic Birch packs in 3/4" and 1/2". (today is 11-12-2021) Just no luck finding it in the Space Coast area of Florida. And tired of the junk sold at the Big Box stores. I remember seeing this video and thought what the heck, I'll give it a shot. Have to wait 2 weeks and the shipping was a bit much but it is what it is.
For holding down the 1/8” stock in my laser cutter I use the little round button magnets as the bed is metal. You can also stack them for a better magnetic hold.
Love your videos!
This is the first video of yours I've seen, and your expertise is obvious and explanation is easy for newbs like me to understand. Thanks and keep them coming!
Great to hear thanks Mike
Mark, I just thoroughly enjoy your videos and your personable style. Man, I wish you guys had stores near me! Fortunately, I do have a pretty decent lumber mill / kiln / wood store near me. While they have mostly North American hardwoods, they do carry a limited number of exotics and (thankfully!!) Baltic birch ply with decent prices. I echo everything that was said about the poor quality of plywood in big box stores made by other folks here. It’s unbelievable! Thanks for all you do!
Thanks for the kind words👍
Best, simplest, clearest, most enthusiastic presentation about baltic birch I've ever seen. Thank you.
New wood worker here…Your videos are very informative….Great video as always…
Good article. I won’t used the home store plywoods anymore for cabinets. I’ve had to deal with so many voids and it comprises the quality.
Baltic Birch (Void-less) is used by the top guitar and bass amplifier cabinet manufacturers like Mesa/Boogie, Marshall, Orange, etc. I've built quite a few myself too. It's readily available at the big-box stores and it's pretty easy to work with, although a bit heavy and expensive, at least for ply-wood.
One of the most informative and well done RUclips things I have ever watched. Thanks.
I use birch for the top of my workbenches and jigs. Excellent material.
Excellent video!
Not all of us have a jointer, planer, drum sander, etc. but we still have (want) to make stuff.
So sheet goods it is. Thanks for the info!
Good to see a straight forward, informative video without all the theatrics. The more I see someone doing a video with all the theatrics, the less credible they become to me. So thanks.
Nice Job. I'm making a lot of speakers and exploring all kinds of ply and making my own ply with curves for horn speakers. I think African Mahogany is really cool looking.
I like the way BB looks.. for its purpose, it may not be figured and whatnot but... I like the utilitarian look in the shop
Many years ago, I got a Delta Contractor table saw. I did the initial upgrade, replacing the bearings (I think I used SKF) and tried improving the belt drive. Frankly, the hype over the twist-lock belts is over the top. So I used poly-vee sheeves, and what we usually call a serpentine belt. Okay, now it's smooth and quiet. Back when eBay had good stuff, I scored a couple of Marathon 2HP motors that had C-face mounts. I wanted one on the table saw, so I designed a platform made out of Baltic birch plywood. That stuff is only slightly less rigid than cast iron! It held the motor just fine. Wonderful stuff. No warp or twist, no voids.
Birch ply has been used in the manufacture of aircraft for many decades. A testament to its strength and versatility. Today it's found mainly in experimental or "homebuilts". While overshadowed by resin composite materials, it still has it's place.
Great info! I'm currently building a tool box out of Baltic Birch. Strong and durable just didn't know the back story on it. Using a sanding sealer and then a semi-gloss to finish it.
Awesome! thanks for watching
Use a water based product otherwise it will turn a honey yellow.
@@recipio6561 I noticed, I used lacquer and it gave it a yellow tint.
As a new woodworker, that was a great video for me to use in my future projects!
Thanks
Dave
Thank you so much I been trying to find out the name of this type of plywood
Great spokesman !
Nice job bro. No hesitation, lots of information and good explanations.
Thanks for all the info on Baltic Burch.
You bet, thank you
Good job 👍 explaining, no bull, no jokes, just the facts... Have a sheet of BB out in my shop right now, love the way it “works”. Just subscribed.
Fantastic video. Direct and concise information. Thank you so much. Exactly the information I needed.
Excellent information delivery. Educational and entertaining.
That was the greatest bedtime story ever!
I like it. Makes me want to come see your store and shop.
Great presentation, explanations and learning experience. I thought I knew most of it but didn't know about the exterior adhesive color. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! Thank you!
Thanks Mark. I’m a recent subscriber and have already learned a lot. Never too old to learn when you truly love woodworking.
Many Thanks and keep up the great work!
You got it, thank you
Nice video. I like this plywood... the best choice for campervan. Still strong in 12mm, easy to screw! And love the look and touched « oily »
Excellent explanation. People can read much faster than they talk, so I appreciate the efficient, rapid presentation as it makes it easier to process and integrate/remember salient points.
I’ve been a long-time fan of Baltic Birch. When other variation I recall seeing was plywood with Apple at least on the final veneer
One really cool feature of birch in general - soft feel to touch. Makes for ''comfy'' feeling drawer dandles, stools etc.
Baltic birch is the cats meow when making cabinets. Great info on the material, thanks
Great info. Honest and straight forward
I'm in UK so things may be different. Ours seems to be from Finland. I used this for building small boats among other things and it has been used for car chassis (Marcos). It can be purchased in thicknesses from 1.5mm to 18mm (even thinner ones can be found - I have some 0.8mm). The thinner stuff can be used for curves. 8x4 can be obtained with the grain running across the sheet. Also you can buy it with softwood cores and birch outer. It is superb material to work with, it can be used with epoxy fillets. Drawbacks - if you store it anywhere that is the least bit damp you can get mould on the surface and it is expensive, but worth every penny!
Like many of the previous comments, this is very informative........excellent presentation 👍
Thank you Marc. The first time I worked with BB was 5 years ago. Since I haven't bought anything else for sheet goods.
Anyone else actually like how Baltic birch looks
yup
having used it all my life, i didn't know it was supposed to be ugly (i am from a baltic state, i have this birch growing in my back yard even ... :D)
I prefer it
Sand it, throw on half a dozen coats of home-made wipe-on poly and I'm good. I don't even cover the edges anymore, I burnish them with a 1/2" high-grade stainless steel bar in my router, after sanding, and coat with poly.
I like it!
This video took time to research, story board, film and edit. Much appreciated... Learned a good deal. TY!!
Great informative video! Just one thing about the thickness. The 1/2” is actually 15/32”. I know right pretty close. But for 1/2” dados that leaves a petty loose fit. 1/32” gap. Making a box with two side equates to 1/16” off. I am not making a spaceship, but that difference does play into the mix. I do love working with it though.
Mark, your videos are so well made, enjoyable to watch and offer a wealth of good information in each segment.
Excellent production and presentation
I’m new to woodworking and this has been one of the most helpful and informative videos I’ve come across so far! Instant sub
That's so great to hear! Welcome to the good times.
Same here! Mark nails it. So easy to watch and understand.
Mark I always watch and enjoy your videos. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Extremely helpful -- thanks for the resource!!
so now that its hard to find and pricey what would you recommend?
that 'score' tip is awesome. great vijeo
What should definitely get a mention is phenolic coated birch plywood. It's almost waterproof and the surface is really wear resistant. That's why it's used as trailer beds for example (well, at least here in Austria/Europe) or as the panels for flight/stage cases (in 7 or 9mm thickness). It is also a really nice material for jigs (especially if you need a really "slippery" surface). Almost nothing sticks to the smooth face, which is why I use it as a glue up table surface. Hardened glue just flakes off and paint can easily be removed either just mechanically with a plastic scraper or with a little solvent (the phenolic resists the usual solvents). And it also looks nice on cabinet doors and other shop furniture without any need for finish.
Very ncie point, the phenolic material is wonderful. Thanks.
I have looked for this material and can not find any sources in the Atlanta area. Any recommendations?
Mark this video was a grand slam home run! I have been wondering about Baltic Birch for a long time, and you just gave me a tremendous bunch of information about it. Now I’ve got to find a source so I can put it in my workshop. Thanks again
Best tutorial I have ever seen on plywood. Thank you
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
This is the only channel I subscribed after watching one video. And I'm not even a woodworker.
I love Baltic birch. Absolutely worth the higher price. Way less tear out and the lack of voids is fantastic
Awesome video bud I had to rebuild my Marshall amp shell using this stuff. Its super solid and easy to work with.
Really quality video man. Instant subscription. Keep it up!
Awesome thank you!
I watched this because I am buying a boat. The cabin has cheap, unfinished, exposed plywood that usually you spend lots of money on trying to cover it up. But I got to thinking... can't I just stain/gel/dye and clear coat the plywood itself? Naw, you can't do that. Why? No one does. Right?? Well I searched and found you. And yep, you can finish plywood and make it look nice with just a few coats of clear. Thanks for the video!
I recently used for workbench legs and rails by gluing multiple layers. Made for a very heavy and solid, all-Birch base and looks good with Tung Oil finish. Thanks!
If you have carbide knives in your jointer or planer I understand the damage is less a concern. I’ve used carbide router bits on the material and have had no issues. I have wrecked a couple sets of HSS jointer knives on this stuff before I realized what was happening. Make yourself a tapering/jointing sled for your table saw if you need to get dead flat edges for jigs or assembly table tops. As a newer woodworker you may not think you want to start out with this stuff but trust me and go with it, the quality and stability of this product is second to none, if it warps on you then you must really have mishandled it, you almost have to try. If cutting dados, check between different sheets, I have seen up to a mm in variation of thickness between two different sheet, so always check your router dado jig or dado stack set up between sheets. Leaving the edge exposed actually looks great on bookcases, embrace the look of the edge and even get creative with it.
been using baltic for decades for cabinetry (especially good for drawer boxes), for craft projects. It is on the extreme hard side of woods so cutting tools tend to dull quicker lathe work, it is extremely stable
And I just found this channel 👍🏼👍🏼great info...thanks 🔥🔥👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I really appreciate your videos. As a new woodworker, your info is very helpful
Dude, I have been watching since your first video, and I always learn something. I really feel like I'm just spending some time with a good buddy who knows more about woodworking than I do. :D
It's good to have ya here 👍
No doubt about it, Jim, how awesome would it be to be Mark`s next door neighbor!
@@harrydavis6903 Bring beer ..... if you need a hint 😇
Lots of good information here. Thanks!
Thanks for the scoring tip. I had Lowe's cut a section off and the splintered ends were horrible! Glad I had it cut longer than I needed.
Ah.... what a bummer! But yes a little scoring goes a long way if you don’t have the right blade at the time.
Great video, and awesome timing!!! I need to make a toy box and was considering Baltic birch plywood.
Will General Finishes exterior 450 water based wood stain work, or do I need a gel stain? The customer wants it in Red Mahogany. What do you recommend?
@@swcreations4u83 - Veneer maybe?
Red Mahogany veneer? I’ve never applied a veneer. How well does it hold up?
hello i just purchased a new set of drums and they are made from birchwood 4 ply and they sound great ilike to tell you and the sound is warm fat solid a good drum sound