Plywood in Miami?

[fender3x]

I have been away from building for a while. When I last looked it was a huge pain to fine qualifying plywood in Miami. Hoping things have improved... I found 1/2" five ply radiata pine at Shell Lumber. This time looking for 1/4" 5 ply... Anyone know of a decent option in South Florida?

[David Raehn]

Amazon....

[DJPhatman]

Hi, fender3x! Nice to see you back posting! I'm now on the other side of the state from you, in Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte.

Google says these guys can get Baltic birch:

Wood-Chip Marine Lumber & Supplies

3301 South Andrews Ave
Bay #8
Ft. Lauderdale
Florida
33316

(954) 522-1481

[fender3x]

Thanks for the tip, DJP! I wrote to them...I'd heard about them from a friend builds boats, but had lost the contact.

I sent them an email, and will see if they can send me a photo of a side view. I am a little suspicious because their Baltic Birch comes in 4x8 sheets. I have seen other suppliers down here with something they call BB, but when you actually look at it it's the thin veneer stuff. I once got fooled by that, and as a result have a T39 with over 200 dowels in it... This is a better supplier tho, so with luck it'll be the good stuff. Also asked them about how many plies their fir and okoume plywood has. My boat builder friend likes the okoume...but not sure it's 5 ply.

Also talked to someone at Shell Lumber, which is about the best in Miami. They don't have it, but say that they might be able to get BB...

Do you have a good supplier in the Ft. Meyer's area?

[Bruce Weldy]

I am a little suspicious because their Baltic Birch comes in 4x8 sheets.

I get it in 4x8 here - the real stuff. But, I prefer the 5x5 as it's easier to handle alone.

[DJPhatman]

Do you have a good supplier in the Ft. Meyer's area?

No. Never looked. I no longer build or gig, due to severe heart and lung health issues. But, Google says that there is a reputable supplier in Tampa.

Craftsmen Supply
5011 E Busch Blvd
Tampa, FL 33617
Just 1 Mile East of Busch Gardens
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:30
Saturday 9:00 - 3:00
Sunday - Closed
(813) 988-4677
sales@craftsmensupply.com

[fender3x]

Well I have an email in...let's see what they say. Sorry to hear about the health issues, DJP. Doesn't compare to your issues, but one of the reasons I am building the J12L is to get a lighter cab. DR250 is lighter than commercial cabs, but if I can get one half the weight my back will be happier. Aging is not for wussies.

[fender3x]

Just did a bit of checking and want to see if I am in the ballpark. Called Wood Chip in Ft. Lauderdale. The sales guy told me that they have two kinds of plywood that might do the trick. One is Okume. He says it has five good plies, and is high quality, and runs about $69 per 5x8 sheet. The other is what he calls "interior birch" which runs about $20 per 5x8 sheet. He's not as sure about it's quality.

Shell lumber tells me they can order BB, but I am not sure at what price yet...

I'll be in Ft. L. in about a week, and will take a look then...but I am wondering...what should quality BB cost?

Any good recommendations if I need to order it? My go to place, Shell lumber, where I got 5 ply 1/2" radiata pine for my DR, has failed me...and it's generally thought of as the best lumber yard in Miami for specialty stuff...

[fender3x]

bump...

Any good links to BB suppliers? Any thoughts on what 4x8 or 5x5 1/4" plywood should cost?

[Bruce Weldy]

The best link to local suppliers is local businesses that buy BB.

Call cabinet shops and ask where they get theirs. I'll bet there is a supplier withing 20 miles that stocks BB to the rafters.....ya' just got to do the legwork to find 'em, because they don't advertise to the public, they sell to businesses mostly.

I pay around $30 for 5x5 1/2" Baltic Birch.

[fender3x]

Thanks for the pricing info. I called a bunch of cabinet makers. I couldn't find any that were using baltic birch. I went to about 20 lumber yards where they thought I might find it. So far no luck. That's why I was inquiring about internet sites that have good prices.

[fender3x]

For any other builders in the area I finally found a place that had 1/4" BB (as well as other widths). It's pricy. I paid $50 per 4x8 sheet, but I have not found an online source that would be cheaper.

Here it is...

Seafarer Marine, 3100 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33315, Phone 954-763-4263 http://www.seafarermarine.com.

They also have bending plywood.

Not far from where they make Duratex, interestingly enough.

Woodchip Marine says they have BB, but it's actually the cheap veneer stuff... they do have some Okume that looks like it would do the job, but 1/4" 4x8 sheets are $69.

I was in Ft.L anyway and used the opportunity to go to both places. But it's a good 50 mi from my house so if anyone comes up with a good source in Miami I hope you'll post!

[Bruce Weldy]

An update on Baltic Birch pricing.....

Just bought 5x5 1/2" BB this morning....$24.77/sheet

For the T24 drum monitor.