Decent 1/2 plywood SOS for THTLP build.

[DJPhatman]

When I think about it... Since the number of plies is what's important, I guess you could have used 5-ply 5/8 BC exterior plywood. WAY cheaper, available anywhere, and probably no heavier than baltic birch. I should have thought about it earlier...

Stick to 1/2" (12mm) plywood. If you can find 5/8", you can find 1/2".

[mr.lussier]

When I think about it... Since the number of plies is what's important, I guess you could have used 5-ply 5/8 BC exterior plywood. WAY cheaper, available anywhere, and probably no heavier than baltic birch. I should have thought about it earlier...

Stick to 1/2" (12mm) plywood. If you can find 5/8", you can find 1/2".

Yeah I know... I use exclusively baltic birch myself, very nice material. The point was that construction plywood in half-inch is only 4 plies. 5/8 construction ply is probably an acceptable solution when costs or availabity is an issue. Pros are the very low cost and 4x8 format. Downside is it as heavy as baltic birch, while being no stronger than arauco (I guess). If it is true that you can source baltic birch anywhere in the world, it is also true that 5/8 BC ply is abundant as cordwood in north america.

I wouldn't do it myself, but I think it is an acceptable solution.

[But it Hertz]

Anyhoooo, the point is now mute!

With the info above anyone anywhere with access to Lowes in the USA can now get 15/32 Arauco at reasonable(ish) prices as long as they are prepared to wait a couple of days.

You are welcome

[Bruce Weldy]

Anyhoooo, the point is now mute!

Since the point is mute, trying to talk to it would be moot.

[But it Hertz]

Gaaaaah!

At least I know the difference between there, their and they're!

[Bruce Weldy]

At least I know the difference between there, their and they're!

And that would make you one of a dying breed of grammatically correct Americans.





(u no wut i meen?)

[But it Hertz]

So.... now that I have a Lowes account I get 5% discount on everything... including these sheets... so that's $38 per sheet. That's kinda cool, I'm happy with that

[jraut]

Thanks for the phone number to Blue Linx. I spend 15 minutes calling local places looking for Arauco, then found this post. Two minutes after calling Blue Linx I was transferred to a local distributor that said he just delivered a ton of 15/32" to a local lumber yard. $31 a sheet of Arauco instead of $30 for Lowes 4 ply ACX. Get to buy wood this week!

[But it Hertz]

Thanks for the phone number to Blue Linx. I spend 15 minutes calling local places looking for Arauco, then found this post. Two minutes after calling Blue Linx I was transferred to a local distributor that said he just delivered a ton of 15/32" to a local lumber yard. $31 a sheet of Arauco instead of $30 for Lowes 4 ply ACX. Get to buy wood this week!

Awesome! Glad I managed to help someone

[DJPhatman]

Thanks for the phone number to Blue Linx. I spend 15 minutes calling local places looking for Arauco, then found this post. Two minutes after calling Blue Linx I was transferred to a local distributor that said he just delivered a ton of 15/32" to a local lumber yard. $31 a sheet of Arauco instead of $30 for Lowes 4 ply ACX. Get to buy wood this week!

Please share the location, for the benefit of any nearby builders. Thanks.

[jraut]

Sure, it was Escondido Lumber, northern San Diego county.

[But it Hertz]

Well I got my Arauco tonight:

It appeared to be well packed but ....

It's hard not to be disappointed with the quality of what I received.

Every panel is warped... by at least an inch, it won't even lie flat on the floor.

I can see small voids in a couple of the sheets.

The C sides have knots that have fallen out so there are holes in the outside ply...

And the bottom sheet was messed up by the fork lift so a big chunk of one edge has been taken out / big marks.

Am I being too picky... should I quit bitching and just start building?

Sigh

[Bruce Weldy]

Well I got my Arauco tonight:

It appeared to be well packed but ....

It's hard not to be disappointed with the quality of what I received.

Every panel is warped... by at least an inch, it won't even lie flat on the floor.

I can see small voids in a couple of the sheets.

The C sides have knots that have fallen out so there are holes in the outside ply...

And the bottom sheet was messed up by the fork lift so a big chunk of one edge has been taken out / big marks.

Am I being too picky... should I quit bitching and just start building?

Sigh

That's why you should use baltic birch.....Haven't seen a warped piece yet. Even the stuff that's been sitting in the garage for a couple of years.

[But it Hertz]

That's why you should use baltic birch.....Haven't seen a warped piece yet. Even the stuff that's been sitting in the garage for a couple of years.

Yes I totally agree with you... but the THTLP is 72 inches tall and the batlic birch comes in 5x5 sheets. I didn't want to see joints.

[Bruce Weldy]

That's why you should use baltic birch.....Haven't seen a warped piece yet. Even the stuff that's been sitting in the garage for a couple of years.

Yes I totally agree with you... but the THTLP is 72 inches tall and the batlic birch comes in 5x5 sheets. I didn't want to see joints.

I can buy it in 4x8 sheets here in Texas....I like the 5x5 better, but it is available.