Arauco Ply

[Zack Brock]

So what I'm hearing is arauco ply isn't the best option, BB if I want to have a cab that lasts. This will be the last cab I ever own...until I build a second one atleast.

Other plywood will last just as long in a cab, especially if you paint it with Duratex. As Bill says in the plans, don't waste money on the more expensive woods - just about any good looking sheet of plywood with 5 equal plies is good enough. Here in Florida we are the land of the replanted pine tree. Lots of softwood pine plywood available. I can get it as low as $12 a sheet.

Oddly enough, Arauco isn't available within 250 miles of here so I couldn't build a cab out of it if I tried.

Baltic Birch is available but in the near $50 range a sheet. If a customer wants it, I'll build it that way, but not without them paying for the additional cost.

[bzb]

So what I'm hearing is arauco ply isn't the best option, BB if I want to have a cab that lasts. This will be the last cab I ever own...until I build a second one atleast.

It's plywood, it'll last for decades as long as it's not left in the rain.

The issues with Arauco or pine are simply that it is soft and susceptible to warping, and screws sink in it.

If you can work around those issues, it's just a panel of wood just like BB.

[JoeVictim]

How exactly does warping affect the cab? Soft wood, as in it dents up easily, right? At my local Lowes, It runs about $28 a sheet. That seems $$$ when someone is getting birch for $19 a sheet.

In the same sense, highend cab builders can't be wrong can they? Most of the Schroeder, EA, Bergs, etc., use BB. Looks like there is a ton of lumber yards locally so I might call a few up. New builds in my area have stopped so hopefully the law of supply and demand works in my favor. Waiting to sell off some gear, then I can start shopping.

[Scott Brochu]

In the same sense, highend cab builders can't be wrong can they?

We are all highend builders here including you for taking a look outside the box.

[DJPhatman]

How exactly does warping affect the cab? Soft wood, as in it dents up easily, right? At my local Lowes, It runs about $28 a sheet. That seems $$$ when someone is getting birch for $19 a sheet.

In the same sense, highend cab builders can't be wrong can they? Most of the Schroeder, EA, Bergs, etc., use BB. Looks like there is a ton of lumber yards locally so I might call a few up. New builds in my area have stopped so hopefully the law of supply and demand works in my favor. Waiting to sell off some gear, then I can start shopping.

They also use 3/4" Baltic Birch, to strengthen their "design" to reduce panel flex. And, they also "design" 4X10, 8X10 and 2 15" over 2" cabs, telling the masses "This is what you should use!"

[bzb]

How exactly does warping affect the cab? Soft wood, as in it dents up easily, right? At my local Lowes, It runs about $28 a sheet. That seems $$$ when someone is getting birch for $19 a sheet.

In the same sense, highend cab builders can't be wrong can they? Most of the Schroeder, EA, Bergs, etc., use BB. Looks like there is a ton of lumber yards locally so I might call a few up. New builds in my area have stopped so hopefully the law of supply and demand works in my favor. Waiting to sell off some gear, then I can start shopping.

Warping affects your build, not the cab itself. Warped panels means more time cutting, aligning, and bracing the panels while the glue sets. Luckily, Bill's designs are very forgiving for minor deviations.

It seems popular to use Arauco for the internal parts, and BB for the external. Using BB externally ensures that the box is straight and square. Using Arauco internally reduces weight.

Pine will dent a bit easier than BB, but no wood (except English Oak ) is Superman.

BB is also used in skateboards. It's strong, reliable stuff, no doubt. But I somehow doubt you'll be finding BB panels for $19 a sheet in Colorado. You will, however, get deals on cedar compared to me in the South

[JoeVictim]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. If I cannot get a decent deal on BB, I may do Arauco for the internals. That makes so much sense. I just need to go through the plans to see how much of each I would need.

[ben.in.salzburg]

Here in Austria (you know, Mozart and Arnieville),

I can only get CEIBA plywood. It is no voids. It is very clean/smooth. It is extremely light.

But is CEIBA as stiff as recommended? I am wondering whether extra bracing might be necessary. I have certainly needed to protect corners as my cabinets didn't like being dragged over concrete.

I am happy with the sound, but wondering whether the wood used should be more hard-wearing.

Ben

[Greg Plouvier]

JoeVictim - I see you are in Co Springs. Check with Wellco Hardwoods. That's where I buy my baltic. Not sure but you might have to be a business owner with a resale license to buy there. They have the best price I've found and it's 11 ply 1/2" - really nice stuff.

[JoeVictim]

JoeVictim - I see you are in Co Springs. Check with Wellco Hardwoods. That's where I buy my baltic. Not sure but you might have to be a business owner with a resale license to buy there. They have the best price I've found and it's 11 ply 1/2" - really nice stuff.

Yep, just called them. They did give me a number for a distributor CO Lumber. Going to give them a call.

What is an average price?

[sine143]

Darn... So I picked up 2 sheets of Arauco to build my otops, but I've been talking to a guy about baltic birch

Price for the 2 sheets of auraco total = $50

Just got a price quote from my guy. 20.50 a 5x5 sheet of 5 ply, waterproof laminate glue, baltic birch.

Darn.

[JoeVictim]

I just got quoted $46 for a 5x5'. Not sure how normal that is up this way. I still need to check the plans to see how much wood is need for the externals.

[David Carter]

Just got a price quote from my guy. 20.50 a 5x5 sheet of 5 ply, waterproof laminate glue, baltic birch.

Makes me wonder whether it's really baltic birch. I thought all the good baltic birch was at least 9 plies for the 1/2" stuff.

[sine143]

Havnt actually seen it, but the guy does supply for most cabinet builders in the area, and actually asked me if I was building kitchen cabinets or speaker enclosures, before I brought it up. I'll go check it out next week. Might just buy like 10 sheets to keep myself stocked.

[Greg Plouvier]

I just got quoted $46 for a 5x5'. Not sure how normal that is up this way. I still need to check the plans to see how much wood is need for the externals.

Yeah - CO lumber is high. I'll be picking up some more from Wellco next week - I could grab a couple for you if you want - maybe we could meet somewhere in CS. I can't say what they're selling it to me for but it's under $30. Let me know on that.