Suppliers in Australia

[pearcey]

Thought this might be worth an extra thread.

Basically I've spent the last 2 days trying to find baltic birch 15mm (no-one does 1/2 inch) in Western Australia with no luck. What have the WA builders used for their ply - Okoume or Marine ply? Or have you found a BB supplier.

I'm thinking of going with Okoume - looks OK...

pearcey

[Gregory East]

Australian hoop pine was recommended by Harley.

[pearcey]

Thanks - I rang up Austral Plywoods and there's a few stockists in Perth.
pearcey

[DJPhatman]

Ask for 12mm, not 15mm. No need for the extra weight!

[Harley]

Thanks - I rang up Austral Plywoods and there's a few stockists in Perth.
pearcey

It's as close in density as you'll get from a southern hemisphere ply withe decent specs. Austral is a good brand, that's what I use if I use Aust Hoop pine.

If you access to a good truck liner paint, you could go Italian Polar ( caravan ply ) which is light, but bruises easy - however with a truck lining paint, it will be OK so long s you don;t abuse your cabs, PLUS be very very light.

I made 2 DR300s for Alan Star in Perth out of Italian Poplar and they ended up an almost manageable weight. He ( or his friend??? ) also got 2 of Bill's DR300s out of BB so he could tell you the weight difference between the 2 plys.

IP is about 2/3 the cost of AHP.

[bitSmasher]

Let's turn this in to an "everything BFM in Australia" thread

[CafSentryGnome]

good i was hoping there would be one

[Harley]

Let's turn this in to an "everything BFM in Australia" thread

50% of my cab builds get shipped to OZ - so there's the finished product supply line sussed

[pmlow]

First build of 2 x Omni 10.5's I did with standard 12mm ply from Bunnings - around $45 a sheet. Turned out fine and easy to find a Bunnings near by. Havent used baltic birch or other recommended types of plywood (as mentioned it is hard to find in Aus), but with some filler and a good coat of paint it may work for you.

If you were in Sydney, I have found 12mm ply at advanced timber revesby for $27.50 a sheet, but havent yet used it. They advertise on ebay. Might try it for an omni 15.

What experience do others have with using any available ply ? As long as it is flat with no voids is it OK ? Or is it more a problem with the softwood used on the surface ?

[pearcey]

Have to admit I sort of hoped this would turn into an "everything BFM in Australia (and New Zealand)" thread, but was too shy to suggest it.

I found it more cost effective to get the drivers shipped from "Speaker Hardware" in the US than anywhere here; where did others get theirs? I am clearly heavily dependent on Bunnings at this point for all my woodworking supplies.

pearcey

[bitSmasher]

I scored six new Delta 12LF drivers on ebay for $75ea including delivery Wasn't posting on the forum then but should've been kind enough to share the bargain.
T39s here I come...
Have seen that Etone do a 12" driver that may work in the OT12, unfortunately budget dictates such a decision.
Will do some serious research in to wood suppliers in Sydney and post as I go, but want to make this a big project so will take my time and do it properly.

[Harley]

If you were in Sydney, I have found 12mm ply at advanced timber revesby for $27.50 a sheet, but haven't yet used it. They advertise on ebay. Might try it for an omni 15.

At that price, that just has to be Asian - most likely Indonesia. Avoid this stuff like the plague because you don;t know how bad it is until you start cutting into into it and using it.

Or, it could be reject construction ply - ply which hasn't made the grade and when you go to buy it they tell you "so long as you don't use thus for construction"

There's just no such thing as ply that has reasonable enough quality for BFM builds at a dirt cheap price. It's simply just not worth skimping dollars here just like you wouldn't skimp dollars on cheap drivers.

[horst]

If you were in Sydney, I have found 12mm ply at advanced timber revesby for $27.50 a sheet, but haven't yet used it. They advertise on ebay. Might try it for an omni 15.

At that price, that just has to be Asian - most likely Indonesia. Avoid this stuff like the plague because you don;t know how bad it is until you start cutting into into it and using it.

it's probably 4 or even 3 ply with really rough sides and is likely to be warped

try here
http://www.gunnersens.com.au/products/e ... ywood.html
Gunnersen is a wholesaler so you will have go through Bunnings to order from there but they have a fanatastic range

[CafSentryGnome]

are there any builders in Australia?

[Harley]

are there any builders in Australia?

With C.E.R. ( no duties) and not tax on eports, no import restrictions here, $NZ vs $AU exchange rate in your favour, and a lower relative labour rate, I can land a BFM cab cheaper into Australia than an Australian builder would need to charge to make ends meet - provided you can clear the goods yourself or know someone in the customs agency business who won't rip you off.