Good Plywood Supplier in Auckland?

Helpful hints on how to build 'em, and where to get the stuff you need.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Ollie
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Good Plywood Supplier in Auckland?

#1 Post by Ollie »

Hi guys. First time on the forum here. Question is aimed at Harley, whats a good supplier of good ply in the Auckland area neighbour?!

glenfolly
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:09 am
Location: New Plymouth, New Zealand

#2 Post by glenfolly »

Hi Ollie,
No -sorry I'm not Harley but I am a fellow Kiwi.

I'm currently building some 20" Titan 39s.
I had the same agonising question about what ply to use.
I found several suppliers of quality ply in Auckland but to get a few sheets to New Plymouth(200 miles south) was going to be an extra $120 - a bit rich for me.
The first two T39s are being made out of 12mm Veneer Ply from Mitre10 Mega(a big NZ DIY chain store). It is an untreated imported ply and is not certified for NZ structural use. But hey, I'm not building a house you know !
It is 7 layers with a thin 0.2mm veneer each side(9 layers).
I tried to find out exactly what kind of wood it is but didn't get a convincing answer other than it may be imported tropical Kauri. It is almost white or pale yellow in colour.
Looking at the stacks of ply sitting in the shop, this stuff seemed to be much less warped that the Radiata Pine ply that is the only alternative available in little country hick towns like this (beautiful place-just limited choice).

Because it is veneered, I followed advise from others on this forum and made a jig that allows me to router off the 0.2mm veneer from the side panels at the glue joints to maintain joint strength.

Aside from being 7-ply the big attraction was the price at $44 including GST for a 1200x2400 sheet.They have a fabulous big table saw and even cut it all up into 19" wide strips at no extra charge. They did a nice job, it is all accurate to the last mm and as I don't have a table saw, I was well pleased.
It does have a few small voids in it but I dont think that will be a problem. The layers seem to be well glued and I've had no problems with layer splitting.

I thought initially that it may have been quite light weight ply but having finished the cut out and adding in the BP102s sourced from Leland it tips my bathroom scales at nearly 90 pounds a cab without the glue or finishing. Ye gads !

For the next two Titan 39s I think I will use plain old every day use Radiata Pine Ply. It looks a bit rough but it is 5 ply and we use it to build houses don't we ? Warpage will not really be a problem with the Titans because of the way they are designed it all pulls straight at glue-up. Hopefully it will be lighter than 90 lbs.
glenfolly

User avatar
Harley
Posts: 5758
Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 2:45 pm
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand - Authorised BFM Cab Builder

#3 Post by Harley »

glenfolly wrote:.It is an untreated imported ply and is not certified for NZ structural use. ....
The reason it's not certified for construction use is that it delaminates after time and is full of cavities

Ollie - try Plytech in Bowden Road Mt Wellington. The absolute best is Australian Hoop Pine. PLytech also have a new range of BB grade construction ply from douglas fir. I have not seen it in 8x4 sheet form but the samples I have look promising.


I use Italian Poplar but it is quite soft and is no good for painting because of that - it needs to be carpeted.

Plyman out at The Consourse, Henderson is also another good source. Delivery to your door will cost between $35 - $45 so best get a mate with a long wheel base van and pick it up yourself.

What cab are you building?
ImageSemi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.

Ollie
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

#4 Post by Ollie »

Thanks for the info guys. I had heard Plyman advertising on radio & was going to check them out.
By the way I should have introduced myself. I live in Greenlane, Auckland and spotted the filtzmaurice site while searching on the net one day. Have been watching the forums with interest for a while.
I am intending to build a pair of T24's as a starter, to compliment a small PA I have. Haven't really done any wood work since the primary & secondary school days. Kiwis's will know what I mean.
Have built plenty of projects out of metal over the years, but this will be the first wood project for some time so looking forward to the challenge of working with the different material for a change!

User avatar
Harley
Posts: 5758
Joined: Mon May 08, 2006 2:45 pm
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand - Authorised BFM Cab Builder

#5 Post by Harley »

Ollie wrote:..I live in Greenlane, ......I am intending to build a pair of T24's as a starter, to compliment a small PA I have. .....!
I play at G.C.C. in Marewa Rd every now and again and live 5 mins from you in Mt Wellington!

You're welcome to come around and see my set-up.

You'll find my phone no in the Telecom Internet white pages - Rutland Road.
ImageSemi-retired: Former Australia and New Zealand Authorised BFM cab builder.

Ollie
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

#6 Post by Ollie »

Harley wrote:
Ollie wrote:..I live in Greenlane, ......I am intending to build a pair of T24's as a starter, to compliment a small PA I have. .....!
I play at G.C.C. in Marewa Rd every now and again and live 5 mins from you in Mt Wellington!
Thats pretty amazing... 800 m away, plus my daughter is performing there with the Excel group in 3 weeks time. I will give you a call. Cheers

You're welcome to come around and see my set-up.

You'll find my phone no in the Telecom Internet white pages - Rutland Road.

Ollie
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

#7 Post by Ollie »

Harley, I might be missing something here! What name are you under in the phone book?

User avatar
AntonZ
Posts: 2687
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 6:00 am
Location: NL

#8 Post by AntonZ »

Ollie, I sent you Harley's surname by PM.

User avatar
DJPhatman
Posts: 5411
Joined: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:08 am
Location: Warren, MI
Contact:

#9 Post by DJPhatman »

It's posted on Bill's website, under cabinet builders
I know money often seals the deal, but seriously, quality is an investment, not an expense... Grant Bunter
Accept the fact that airtight and well-braced are more important than pretty on the inside. Bill Fitzmaurice

Ollie
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

#10 Post by Ollie »

Thanks guys, I am on to it now.

Post Reply