Progress and plywood questions

[Sokramiketes]

I looked up the last prices I paid for Baltic Birch from a lumber supplier in 2006... still working through the pile.

1/8" 5x5 foot sheet...$7.14
1/4" 5x5 foot sheet...$11.04
3/4" 5x5 foot sheet...$27.44

Tax included in those numbers.  The 3/4" is pricey, but those ends are the one place I can't handle any warpage, and I can get almost 25 modules worth out of the one sheet.  When a module of that quality can be constructed for under $10 worth of materials... why pinch the extra couple bucks when you may be putting $100 worth of scenery and structures on top?

I won't argue that I'm not a snob... because I probably am.  But why paint a masterpiece on a stretched bed sheet when canvas is so much more inspiring to work on?

[kiwi_al]

Thanks Mike,
I  was just curious.

Alister

[Ryan87]

I won't argue that I'm not a snob... because I probably am.  But why paint a masterpiece on a stretched bed sheet when canvas is so much more inspiring to work on?

What cheap motel room have you visited.  ;D

Our N Trak club built a portable layout (4'x6') about 12 years ago out of Baltic birch, This layout has been abused more than anything I've seen. It's been exposed to -20 degree weather for months, damp basements, heat and has been banged around as much as a boxer. It's still as square and as pretty as the day it was built. Compare that to some of the earlier moduals built of pine  :-[

Mind you for moduals, now we use 3/8" fir and it works great. (not quite as nice looking as Baltic birch but almost as sturdy)

[Ian MacMillan]

Both my Home Depot and Lowes carry birch plywood regularly up here, but it is not in the building supplies section with the rest of the wood. They have her in 4'x8' sheets in the Kitchen section (for making cabinet doors)

[Mark5]

Damn ... Birch. My layout is doomed - I just bought some plywood without thinking about Birch ...

[Sokramiketes]

Even Birch Beer is better than Rootbeer.

[Ian MacMillan]

Even Birch Beer is better than Rootbeer.

Second that!

[railbuilderdave]

I made some progress on my LAJ layout this week:  the insulated garage door was installed, allowing my garage to become climate controlled.  I sealed up most of the exposed insulation with sheetrock, and primed most of the walls.  This should cut down on the dust significantly.

So I went out to the big box diy stores in search of Birch plywood and came up empty handed.  A search on Lowes and Home Depot websites shows that no stores near me even carry birch plywood.  So, where can I get it?

Tom,
Why do you want Birch and not the cheaper type of plywood? Sounds like you are well on your way to doing more with this hobby then just painting.

Cant' wait to see pict of your progress.
dave

[tom mann]

Tom,
Why do you want Birch and not the cheaper type of plywood? Sounds like you are well on your way to doing more with this hobby then just painting.

Cant' wait to see pict of your progress.
dave

Mainly my experience with it...A piece I had from years back in the garage is still straight.