Balsa USA Birch Plywood

Discussion in 'Construction' started by Julian Barbera, Jan 3, 2020.

  1. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    Hey all, I've been shopping for some plywood(1/4, 1/8, 1/16) and have pretty much decided that Balsa USA can provide me all the sizes I need for a reasonable enough price. Here is the particular type of ply I have been looking at, can anyone provide me with any words of warning or affirmation? Thanks!
     
  2. thegeek

    thegeek Well-Known Member

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    Good stuff but at 6 inch wide limits you to a degree. I would go with 12 inch wide IMO. More plys better than less. Stay way clear of the Big Box ply that looks too clear and three ply ( core wood is scat), you do get what you pay for.

    Get the best wood you can afford because your labor is worth more and the end product is better, always.
     
  3. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    Thanks a bunch!
     
  4. SnipeHunter

    SnipeHunter Well-Known Member

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  5. bsgkid117

    bsgkid117 Vendor

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  6. Beaver

    Beaver 2020 Rookie of the Year Admiral (Supporter)

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    Also, check out Rockler.
     
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  7. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    I was looking at them, but I couldn’t find anything over 30 inches.
     
  8. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    The sheets are big, but not long enough and too wide! I want 48" long sheets, at least for the 1/8th and 1/16th.
     
  9. bsgkid117

    bsgkid117 Vendor

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    The sheets at woodcraft are 30x48. So what if they're too wide, rip the board down the middle now you've got two 15x48s.

    Their website isn't the easiest to navigate. If you've got one nearby, check them out.
     
  10. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    Thanks!
     
  11. Anvil_x

    Anvil_x Well-Known Member

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    +1 on this. So here's the deal. That scat plywood is basically just Poplar or Aspen core, with a veneer of something less crappy slapped over it. Genus Populus is *JUNK*. Never use it for any water-related application. it will fall apart after only a year or so.


    I get all of my plywood from Hobby Lobby and occasionally special order it through other sites like Rockler.

    I would suggest using rockler for everything you can. their products are top notch. I make my stringers, casemates, and the, for lack of a better term, baseboard of my hulls out of their 1/8" sugar maple.
     
  12. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    I can't seem to find too many places that offer 1/8th plywood 6" x 48" for a reasonable price. I need the 1/8th for a near 48" subdeck and don't want a two-piece subdeck.
     
  13. Anvil_x

    Anvil_x Well-Known Member

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    Okay yeah, I saw your note about that, but if I may, what ship are you building?

    there are work-arounds to getting the deck to the size you need. @McSpuds has a great SoDak wood build that shows one of them. there are also alternative materials that could help. but I'd need to know which ship you're doing.
     
  14. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    USS Omaha class. I just remembered she has a split deck so I can use two smaller pieces of wood. I will start build thread soon.
     
  15. Anvil_x

    Anvil_x Well-Known Member

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    Omaha!? NICE.

    gonna run quad sterns?

    I am really gonna enjoy that build thread. Where'd you get the plans?
     
  16. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    I'm a big gunner, that means no quad sterns for her. BUT, she is getting 6 torps and a dual bow gun!
    The plans are 1/192 Webb warships, I loaned them from the WWCC plan library and rescaled them. (That's a whole other story!)
     
  17. Nibbles1

    Nibbles1 Well-Known Member

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    I want to see you make that gun...
     
  18. Julian Barbera

    Julian Barbera Active Member

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    Wich one?
     
  19. Nibbles1

    Nibbles1 Well-Known Member

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    The dual bow turret
     
  20. Anvil_x

    Anvil_x Well-Known Member

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    Hey, mind if I get those resized plans? I can PM you my email