Where to buy which plywood?

[jim gilmore]

I'm looking to start off in about a week when I get the new printer.
So i need some 1/8 and 3/16 and either 1/64 or 1/32 plywood.
Buy which plywood do I want?
Is it 7 ply thats the better or is there something else ?
Second part of the question is whoim carries or sells it online.
I did not see any on Sam's stuff or RSM.
And lone star has no plywood available on there listing.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Jim.  SIG sells 1/64" birch ply, made in Finland.  I have a local source of Russian ply, which in 1/4" contains 5 ply, and is of superb quality.  Possibly not available everywhere, but I would start with shops that sell hardwood for cabinet-makers.

Floyd

[wwwarbird]

 It all depends on where and how you are using it in the model. You always want to keep weight in mind as you go. I like Sig's plywood, plus it's usually available at my "local" (110 miles away) hobby shop. I usually use the Sig 1/8" 5-ply four my nose doublers on profiles. Bud Nosen wood is good too, and usually a little cheaper from what I've seen.

[john e. holliday]

I have just came from the Balsa USA site.  They have both lite ply and aircraft grade(desired) in all sizes.  Of course you may order more stuff from as they have quite a site.

[Tim Wescott]

My local Michaels craft store has Midwest plywood in (IIRC) everything except 1/16 (1/64, 1/32, 1/8, 1/4 -- but no 1/16).  It's my emergency source...

[Paul Smith]

I have just came from the Balsa USA site.  They have both lite ply and aircraft grade(desired) in all sizes.  Of course you may order more stuff from as they have quite a site.

I echo Doc's recommendation of Balsa USA.  I typically put in an order for some of every size, then I can build or repair whenever the need strikes.  It's usually a year or so until I run short of anything, then I put in another order to replenish my bench stock.  Delivery is generally one or two days unless I order on a postal holiday.

[wwwarbird]

My local Michaels craft store has Midwest plywood in (IIRC) everything except 1/16 (1/64, 1/32, 1/8, 1/4 -- but no 1/16).  It's my emergency source...

 "Emergency" would be the key word here, the prices are usually ridiculously high at those "crafty" types of places. There is an Ace Hardware here in town that has one of those stand up Midwest balsa selection towers. Only $4.00 for a 1/4" square by 36" stick!!!

[Ward Van Duzer]

Beware! My local Michaels now carries some other brand than Midwest. Don't know whether Midwest has sold out or what,,,BUT, The new company (a popular hobby company whose name escapes me) now brands its wood with a 2 inch by 3 inch sticker that when removed leaves a 2 inch by 3 inch sticky surface that can't be cleaned, glued, or painted.

W. 

[wwwarbird]

 A lot of the Sig wood comes with those pesky stickers on them too. You can warm them up with your heat gun, peel slowly, and they'll usually come right off with the glue and all.

[Bill Little]

Beware! My local Michaels now carries some other brand than Midwest. Don't know whether Midwest has sold out or what,,,BUT, The new company (a popular hobby company whose name escapes me) now brands its wood with a 2 inch by 3 inch sticker that when removed leaves a 2 inch by 3 inch sticky surface that can't be cleaned, glued, or painted.

W. 

Hi Ward,

Another company also uses the *sticky* stickers.  The name escapes me right now (and I am too lazy to go into the basement and dig it out! LOL!!), but it is a mess!  I think I used lacquer thinner to remove the residue, but it was messy.......

Bill

[phil c]

Right now, "lite" ply is the most variable because it comes from so many sources.  The most consistent I've found is 3 ply poplar lite ply made in Italy.  Lonestar carries(d) it.  Other sources have been up to twice as dense, and proportionatly stronger.  The stuff used in ARF's is all over the place in terms of strength, bonding between the layers, grain and knots, etc.

[George]

I just checked the National Balsa site. They seem to have birch plywood in various thicknesses and number of plys (in some cases), 12" width, and up to 48" lengths. They also have lite-ply (poplar), all three ply, in 6" and 12" width and up to 24" length.

I have not yet ordered from National Balsa, my last ply order came from Balsa USA.

Many options. 

George

[Bill Heher]

Just a reminder- Michaels usually has a coupon in Sunday ad for 40 or 50 % off 1 regular priced item. This makes that $4 piece of 1/8" x 3 x 12 piece of ply 2 bucks, and no waiting / shipping costs.

[Dick Byron]

I have found woodworking stores carry large sheets of good ply. Prices are very good as is the quality.

[Dennis Holler]

I have bought plywood at hobby lobby, a 12X24" X18" thick three ply was 6.99 and I didn't mind using it on a couple of planes that I'll be learning to fly with .....I figure they won't lat too long! LL~They also had some Midwest in 1/16" that was 4.99 a sheet for 6X12 inches!