Baltic Birch quality

[Rick Lee]

I've seen a few posts about different prices on BB but haven't seen any where the different grades are delineated...

So: When you go shopping for Baltic Birch plywood (usually in 5x5 sheets) you need to look for BB/BB, or "4 B". That means it has "footballs" on both sides of the sheet but structurally it is identical to B/BB (3 B) ply. The only time you need "3 B" (B/BB), which has footballs on only one side is if you're building for home use with the grain showing. The 3 B stuff seems to run about $10 more a sheet.

In the U.S. the majority of what is available is either BB/BB ply or B/BB ply. Both of these grades are specified as having no voids in the plys but they can have football shaped patches. If you're duratexing the cab there's no reason to get the more expensive B/BB. When you're checking prices make sure you ask if it's 3B or 4B.

[sine143]

good info right here. I went for the 3B last time, at 25 a sheet. 4b was 21, figured it wasnt worth it to lose quality for a measely 30 odd dollars on 8 sheets.

[Rick Lee]

In my neck of the woods 3B is $42... 4B is $33 (Chattanooga) or $27 (Nashville). I have both and the 4B actually seems to be better- only 1 or 2 footballs while the 3B has 8 or 9 on the BB side. My Chatty supplier said chinese stuff is about to go through the roof because of tariff rigamarole so I'm hoping that won't affect the BB prices negatively.

[sine143]

should be stocking up myself here in the next month or 2. probalby going to get about 20 sheets.