grant

hello - I'm new to the forum. I'm not much of a woodworker but I've been looking around and y'all seem to know what you're talking about and I bet y'all can help me with my question. =)

I'm a collage artist and I've been using MDF panels for about a year. They work well, don't warp, and they come in convenient sizes for my specific needs. But they're just too heavy considering the pieces hang on a wall with a single nail. Plus I'm not sure if the chemicals used in the panels will eventually damage my pieces.

I know of another collage artist that uses Baltic Birch (3/4" 11 ply). I've yet to find a local source for BB (Asheville, NC) and I was wondering if another, more readily available plywood would suit my needs. I'm looking for 3/4 inch material, lighter than MDF, will not warp (my pieces hang on a wall, just as a painting would). My pieces require lots of glue, which can get pretty wet until it dries.

If BB is the recommended wood, can anyone recommend a good online resource that will sell and ship 1 to 3 sheets at a time? Standard 60" x 60" is fine.

cabinetman

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

I don't order online, so can't help ya there. If you can find it locally the U.S. version of Baltic Birch is called "Apple Ply". But, you could get away with some good Maple ply, if you check out the sheet first. It's flat and pretty smooth. Here's another suggestion. Use a flat sheet of 1/2" plywood, and glue to the face a sheet of 1/4" hardboard (Masonite). That is super smooth. Just an idea.

skymaster

MDO plywood , also look for Ultralight mdf. A decent lumberyard should have them NOT home center stuff.
Asheville nice area, I went and visited that BIG house y'all have there

joesdad

Ditto on Skymaster's recommendation of MDF Ultralight. Same thickness, cheaper cost wise than the birch and a hell of a lot lighter than the home center MDF.

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AndyDuframe

Sorry I can't offer help for finding a BB supplier, but thought I'd pass on this interesting website with photos of some amazing furniture building using high-quality plywood (llike Baltic birch):

http://www.4-pli.com/furniture.php

If you can get a piece of plywood with really tight and clean plys, the patterns can be beautiful.

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