Shop Talk: Choosing Sheet Goods

Over the years, I’ve used a lot of plywood for jigs, fixtures, and other shop projects. You already know there are many types of plywood to choose from. But how do you know which ones are best for use around the shop? To find out, let’s take a look at a few different ones you might want to consider.

[WalterRiggs]

It’s hilarious watching these exotic fancy plywoods all over YouTube for the last 10 years. Even in the Before Times, I never saw a piece of Baltic Birch for sale anywhere. All we have around here is (maybe) cabinet ply with 8-11 layers, floor/roof ply, marine ply (I’m near a coast) and plain MDF.

[christopherdekonstrukt]

$128 a sheet Baltic Birch for 3/4" 4 x 8' here in New Orleans. I did my kitchen cabinets in Home Depot Sande Ply for $70 a sheet.

[ewg]

I just made your weekend work bench using MDF for the top. Do you recommend using a lacquer or a sealant on it?

[FearsomeWarrior]

Couldn’t help noticing the cabinet on the right. Looks like a remix of the table saw accessory cabinet. Is that from a newer issue or maybe even PopularWoodworking?

[blogauthor]

You never mentioned the reason Baltic Birch is so expensive and hard to find is that much of it comes fro Russia. Shannon Lumber has a great series of podcasts on plywood to help you select a replacement for Baltic Birch

[jwar]

Baltic Birch getting so hard to get and costs first born to buy. I heard of Tigerply, but not available where I live.

[tundrawhisperer]

Guess I’m lucky, shit load of Baltic ply at my supplier. 😁👍🏻