Different Plywoods

[gm280]

Okay folks, I am not trying to get into any huge arguments with this question, but simply wanting some additional info. I see a lot of folks talk about using Arauco Plywood bought from Lowe?s. Problem is I don?t see any of that stuff in my area after looking a few time now. I know it can be ordered, and that has been suggested to me before, but has anybody used anything else like Birch Veneer ply? I know that is usually used in higher end furniture building as is their Oak Veneer and other hardwood veneers as well. Those plywoods are very nice quality (I have used them in the past but not for transoms or boat flooring) but I don?t know if either of those hardwood plies would suffice or not. They are all void free or nearly void free and many more plies then regular exterior plywoods. Just wondering... Thanks for any additional info and hope this doesn't turn ugly... :embarassed: :facepalm:

 

[GWPSR]

Re: Different Plywoods

You're looking for an exterior grade, non-treated plywood (contains the letter 'X' in the grade) if you're shopping at a big box store. To minimize the voids and have a face requiring less prep, seek the lowest letter on each side - ABX, ACX, BCX. Most inexpensive sheathing is CDX and will have a very irregular face on one side, a common face on the other, and may contain voids in the layers, which you can sometimes see along the edges.

Some here like MDO (Medium Density Overlay), a plywood with a resin coating on the two finished sides. Road signs are commonly made from this material.

Furniture grade plywood will usually be manufactured with interior glues, not suitable for marine applications.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Different Plywoods

You're looking for an exterior grade, non-treated plywood (contains the letter 'X' in the grade) if you're shopping at a big box store. To minimize the voids and have a face requiring less prep, seek the lowest letter on each side - ABX, ACX, BCX. Most inexpensive sheathing is CDX and will have a very irregular face on one side, a common face on the other, and may contain voids in the layers, which you can sometimes see along the edges.

Some here like MDO (Medium Density Overlay), a plywood with a resin coating on the two finished sides. Road signs are commonly made from this material.

Furniture grade plywood will usually be manufactured with interior glues, not suitable for marine applications.

Ayuh,.... 'n hardwoods tend to Rot, rather quickly, especially Birch...

 

[matt167]

Re: Different Plywoods

ACX, BCX, or marine grade doug fir ( all same thing, different grades ) is what you want if you can't get Arucco ply. BS1088/6566 Meranti and Okume plywood could also be used and you may have a supplier in your location, but that stuff is extremely expensive.

 

[colbyt]

Re: Different Plywoods

Just in case you sitting on the fence, I agree with the all the posts above. The exterior glue is a must.

Not sure what you plan to use it for. Sanding the edges of a transom and getting a good paint or epoxy job will add greatly to the lifespan. Raw edges act like a wick.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Different Plywoods

Go to a Quality Lumber yard and ask for Floor Underlayment. Its Fir and uses 100% Waterproof Glue.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Different Plywoods

Do you have any Menards stores in your area? Neither Lowe's or Home Depot had it......... Thats were i had to get the Arauco plywood.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Different Plywoods

I had to get mine at Home Depot but the local yards and Mccoys had exterior glue plywood as well. Lowes does not carry anything with exterior glue in it even online or in their computer system. Atleast the sales person I had helping me couldn't find it so I bought it at HD they lost a sale because of it.

 

[matt167]

Re: Different Plywoods

Go to a Quality Lumber yard and ask for Floor Underlayment. Its Fir and uses 100% Waterproof Glue.

Not always. Sureply is a popular underlayment but uses birch and poplar

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Different Plywoods

Not always. Sureply is a popular underlayment but uses birch and poplar

Wouldn't pass code in Oklahoma.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Different Plywoods

Lowes does not carry anything with exterior glue in it even online or in their computer system. Atleast the sales person I had helping me couldn't find it

I think that's why you couldn't find it as I've seen all sorts of exterior plywood at Lowes.

 

[matt167]

Re: Different Plywoods

Depends on the Lowes. Both my local Lowes only sell B/C grade project panels. Zero exterior sheathing except OSB. For Underlayment, they have Sureply and Ironply

 

[gm280]

Re: Different Plywoods

Ha everybody thanks for the replies and helpful info. I guess I didn't even think about the cabinet grade plywoods not being exterior glued. My fault for such a stupid question. I should have caught that myself. But again you all came through with great ideas...thanks again... I will research such types now and get some bought for the transom and flooring in my project boat... :joyous:

 

[matt167]

Re: Different Plywoods

Wouldn't pass code in Oklahoma.

I see. Here in NY it does. I buy it all the time for projects because it's cheap and has a nice grain on the face. Cheaper than louan plywood, but it finishes quicker. Never actually used it as underlayment tho, but that's what it's for

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Different Plywoods

Okay folks, I am not trying to get into any huge arguments with this question, but simply wanting some additional info. I see a lot of folks talk about using Arauco Plywood bought from Lowe’s. Problem is I don’t see any of that stuff in my area after looking a few time now. I know it can be ordered, and that has been suggested to me before, but has anybody used anything else like Birch Veneer ply? I know that is usually used in higher end furniture building as is their Oak Veneer and other hardwood veneers as well. Those plywoods are very nice quality (I have used them in the past but not for transoms or boat flooring) but I don’t know if either of those hardwood plies would suffice or not. They are all void free or nearly void free and many more plies then regular exterior plywoods. Just wondering... Thanks for any additional info and hope this doesn't turn ugly... :embarassed: :facepalm:

Its more important to Prep your plywood with resin coatings than to find a better ply for the project.

I will tell you or anyone else on these kind of threads .. you better have that ply stop drinking resin Before you apply the wood for stringers or bulkheads.

It only gets ugly when posters suggest that you can slap a few sheets of EX or even MG into your boat and then start glassing to it. ... Its not that simple ! You Must prep whatever Ply you decide to use.

If you dont resin coat and properly prep your ply then your are in for a world of drainage and waste of good glass.. your lams will suck and you will have problems.

The nature of good wood is you make your cuts ( Measure with a micrometer .. mark with a crayon .. and cut with a chainsaw ) will mean nothing if your wood turns out to be a conductive for a working longbow.

Get a good ply that will not warp on ya when you cut it .. prep it right and you should be ok with your lams..

YD.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Different Plywoods

So then my question becomes what to use when replacing bench seat type ply that one wants to finish in a varnish and have the wood grain show through? I had this on replaced seats where after a season or two the varnish is peeling and the grain is lifting.

 

[joelybob]

Re: Different Plywoods

marine grade plywood is not that bad priced for what you get. I used it for my transom that is some tough plywood. strenght is what you want

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Different Plywoods

marine grade plywood is not that bad priced for what you get. I used it for my transom that is some tough plywood. strenght is what you want

In this instance I don't really need the structural strength as much as something that will hold a finish.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Different Plywoods

So then my question becomes what to use when replacing bench seat type ply that one wants to finish in a varnish and have the wood grain show through? I had this on replaced seats where after a season or two the varnish is peeling and the grain is lifting.

Try using a good grain ply and some Minwax Spar Varnish .

YD.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Different Plywoods

YD, What do you see as good grain? As I recall the ply I used was ACX sanded one side with a Minwax Spar finish.
Does wood type have any bearing on how well the finish will hold up?