Good source for marine plywood? mid-Atlantic

[Matt Cawthorne]

I am in the process of expanding the drawers to fill the available volume in my CD-36. I need a supplier of marine grade plywood. Any good sources that can ship cheaply or any good sources in the S.E. PA/DE area?



mcawthor@bellatlantic.net

[Bruce Bett]

Matt:

Marine plywood is distinguished from construction grade largely by the number and extent of voids allowed. That is to say it is stronger. For drawers or other non-structural work I'd use ab or ac plywood wich is avalible at any lumber yard.

Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD25 #496

I am in the process of expanding the drawers to fill the available volume in my CD-36. I need a supplier of marine grade plywood. Any good sources that can ship cheaply or any good sources in the S.E. PA/DE area?

bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us

[Matt]

Bruce,
Doesen't marine plywood use different (and hopefully more water resistant) glue?
Matt




mcawthor@bellatlantic.net

[john churchill]

I am in the process of expanding the drawers to fill the available volume in my CD-36. I need a supplier of marine grade plywood. Any good sources that can ship cheaply or any good sources in the S.E. PA/DE area?

i did just this project on my boat. i used 1/2" birch ply (avail @ home depot or lowe's) for the sides and 1/4" luaun for the bottom. i believe that Mr. Bett's post about the core is correct. using marine ply is probably overkill unless it is a frequently damp or wet area which most drawers are not. the above ply finishes out very nicely, stains easily and does not check like exterior (or marine) fir veneers. it is not too expensive and available in partial sheets.

[Jim Stull]

I am in the process of expanding the drawers to fill the available volume in my CD-36. I need a supplier of marine grade plywood. Any good sources that can ship cheaply or any good sources in the S.E. PA/DE area?

Matt
There was a good bit of dialog early last year on rec.boat.building about using luan for building boats. Glass and epoxy coated though. I was in the process of doing a lot of interior work on the boat so "in the interest of science" I cut a piece and placed it in the laundry tub for a month and kept it more or less wet. The plys never separated. I used it and am happy with the results. Don't know if all makers use the same glue but it is very cheap and a quick soak should provide confidence.
I agree with John, you can not get rid of the wild grain of fir plywood (exterior)and using it for woodwork is less than pleasing.
If you decide to go this way (luan), sort thru the sheets, there is a great diference from lot to lot in the face ply. Some are just ok and some are actually beautiful. I found that it took stain and varnish very well.
Jim



jtstull@icubed.com

[Bruce Bett]

Matt:

I can't answer for certain. It used to be true that "interior grade" plywoods used non-waterproof glue and would delaminate if left out in the weather. I havn't seen plywood do that in years. Certainly the construction grade can handle the moisture in the cabin.

Bruce

Bruce,
Doesen't marine plywood use different (and hopefully more water resistant) glue?
Matt

bettb@macomb.cc.mi.us

[Mike Quinlan]

A good source is Harbor Sales in Baltimore maryland. They are cheaper
than anyone else, and they deliver for free in most areas.But only to a business address. Contrary to many on this board, my feeling is; if you are going to go to the trouble of doing all the work, then do it with the best stuff.
The "glue" in marine and exterior plywood is heat set phenolic resin, not actualy glue in the strictest sence of the word.
Mike Q



Mikieq@erols.com

[J. Roe]

Exterior and marine ply do use different adhesives- marine ply uses a heat set resin that will withstand boiling water for some time. Certainly a test of adhesives, but unless you're looking to make tea in your drawer, it's overkill for some parts. Some marine (or other cabinet grade ply does have one other advantage- more plys. Five layers in 3/8" is stronger than three. How long do you want the part to last? Exterior ply will last 5-10 years as a dry cabin drawer, marine fir might last 15, and a premium marine ply would last 50. (I'd actually expect mechanical failure before rot) Let your wallet decide.



jroe@compuserve.com