When I started buying plywood in any real quantity, I went to my local dealer, and I was just like Chris. I told the gentleman I was new to this and just a hobbyist. He was so nice and helped me by taking the time to show me how it all worked and that person created a life long customer just by being nice.
I am so impressed by your honesty. What an absolute great treat to watch your videos. You are quickly becoming my favorite woodworker. Keep up the great work.
One of the things I love about you Chris? You always seem excited that you GET to do this. Like you won the lottery and still can't believe that you do this for a living. Thanks for this.
Great info. Cabinet shops in my area offload their scraps/mistakes to a reclaimed building supply store. You can get great scraps of BB in 4x4ish sheets. Usually it'll have some kind of plastic laminate on it, but that can be a good thing if it's a look you can live with or if it just doesn't matter at all.
My local supplier is Peach State Lumber in Acworth GA. They're super helpful. You can walk around (except back in the stock area where the fork lifts are running) and look at all the wood without a problem. You'll get one or two guys asking if they can help, tell them what you want, they will either point at the wood you're looking for, or help you make a choice. Once purchased, they tell you to back up to the door and they load it up for you. They also have better prices for higher quality plywood than the big box stores.
You bring up some great points about lumber yards. When I was a teenager wanting to do woodworking projects, the lumber yard intimidated me. I brought my Grandfather with me. He was a union carpenter and was a guy that got along with the guys in the yard, no problem. He know his stuff and always treated the guys there nice. He treated everyone nicely, he just knew what he was doing at a yard. My first time solo experience was like you, I told them what I was working on and asked for help. They were great. And I got all that I needed and got it delivered.
Love your videos. I want to share a tip I got from Colin coldet a fellow woodworker that a video channel also he showed ancillary share with you take a scrap piece of 2x4 about 10" long. Find some scrap1x4 x 10" and screw them(2pieces needed)to the sides of the 2x4. Turn on its side find center of board 5",and measure up 1 and 1/4" from the bottom drill ahold thru all 3 boards that you can run a piece of all thread thru. Find some 6" wheels and attach. On inside of your new dolly find center of board on inside. Measure from center 3/4 on each side of center cut 2 pieces that will fit up to the 3/4"mark on each side.now when you need to carry plywood around in the shop you can use the dolly to wheel it there. It can carry 2ea 3/4 sheets just put dolly in center of plywood edge go to one end pick it up a little and push it where you need it. This really helps me im a retired army ranger I fell 100 ft down a mountain side and crushed the last 4 disks in my back. Abd the dolly is a life saver.
Here is Southern California, I get my Baltic Birch Plywood from a dealer called "Reel Lumber Service" and they are awesome. I walked in not know really what I was doing, I asked for some help, and I was given more than I could have expected. They will get me or anybody the size that you need (1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and any type of hardwood you could imagine). They will help you put it on your board cart, load the truck and deliver if that is what you need. The quality is amazing, and the service is otherworldly. I have not bought any plywood from a big box store ever since I found them...
Man, thank you for sharing this info but mostly at least for me thank you for sharing your kindness and friendly welcoming videos that you do. We need this more than ever in this time of hate and division so again thank you for sharing your human side. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Man, I can see the joy in your eyes to just be talking to people that want to listen about what you love... I pray everyone can find something as meaningful to them as you have. For the same reason, I subscribed to your channel when you did the video about your family and plans. Keep up the great content creation... I'm going to go back to watching the video now.
This! 💯💯💯 I had a very similar first experience at my local lumber yard. I walked in and said “hi, I’m tired of buying s$&#*y wood and I’ve never been to a store like this before. Can someone help me figure some things out?” I was introduced to everyone working there that day and given a full tour of the yard and their products. It blew me away how helpful and friendly everyone was. I strongly recommend everyone do the same!
I found a commercial plywood company up here in Baltimore (Chesapeake Plywood). They have a minimum purchase, but it's not bad. They even nicely loaded everything in my pickup, complete with protective cardboard. (They'll deliver as well if you prefer). Much nicer plywood than HD/Lowes for not much more, loaded right into my truck. The BB has stayed straight unlike the ski ramps you normally get. For this place, you order online, and then go into a front office on site, and get buzzed through the gate. You pull right into the loading dock. The only recommendation I have for places like this is to not waste their time. They're doing a huge amount of business with full pallets of plywood. So if you're going to ask questions, be sure to buy.
I use them as well. They upped their minimum purchase to $500 so that kind of sucks. I usually just buy some extra sheets of 3/4 ,1/2, and 1/4 that I know I’m gonna use. Great place though.
Hi Chris, Thanks and I purchase my plywood from Florida Southern Plywood. Absolutely, their delivery service is awesome. Now I just call and they deliver the plywood. They're 10 times better than our local Big Box Stores.
Chris, I stumbled on your channel because I'm going to build a library in my North JAX home and I'm looking for good materials! So thankful to find your content!!
I found your videos last year and I love them. I too have an artistic son. Your videos inspire me. This one was great like all the rest. Keep it up and thanks
Their is also a product called Appleply. Manufactured in the State of Oregon. Made of birch. Available in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" thickness. 4 by 8 sheets. In my opinion, better quality than baltic birch. I use to pay $140.00 per 3/4" sheet. (Pre covid). Available through specialty lumber suppliers.
Actually, it available directly from the Appleply Store in sizes ranging from 24" x 24" to 24" by 96" , They don't list a 4' x 8' for shipment; 48" x 48" is the biggest square. They also offer a 1 1/2" thickness.Five or six years ago I bought a 96" by 12", 2"-thick that I use as a sled in my thickness planer to flatten boards. It's a high quality product and they are good people to deal with.
Rockler caries 30"X60", at least the one I go to. Last year I bough a bunch on sale. If I remember correctly ~$30/sheet, which is $60 for a 5'x5'. I have picked up some good Canadian plywood from a locally owned lumber yard. I had a house once, which had a large amount of furniture grade plywood in it. The man who owned/built it, told me that when a plywood factory was closing there doors (around 40 years ago now) he bought several lots at auction, for relatively cheap.
Hey Chris, Thank you so much for sharing the love on plywood!! Keep up the amazing videos!! Oh... and I will be stealing the "Normal" analogy!! My family is SO NOT "Normal" too!
I worked in restaurants for 9 years under the same manager/owner. The best skill he taught me is to just play dumb and ask for help. I watched it open so many doors it was ridiculous. I've used it to great effect. "Can you help me, I'm trying to do X? Oh, you can't. Who would you suggest I go to for help?" Just do that until you get to the person that can help. It works better than complaining or yelling. I watched him get us into ticketed events, talk to congresspeople etc.
For anyone in the Kansas City market, I've been using Liberty Hardwoods which is right by Worlds of Fun. Great place, great people, great Baltic Birch!
I'm down in St. Johns, so glad I found this video I'm just getting into woodworking as a hobby, Thank you for the advice, put me down for a subscription :)
Chris, thank you, I traveled to Florida Southern Plywood Company from south of Savannah and purchased as much plywood I could fit into my storage building. I found the people there very pleasant and helpful. They were very familiar with this video and as a result of it have received many inquiries and even had a call from Michigan requesting they ship some to him. They had a tremendous stock of both plywood and slab lumber. I will definitely return when I need more! I have been looking for a dealer like Florida Southern Plywood Company for several years. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing Chris! First time when I bought a 5'x5' sheet of plywood was June of 2020. It was $60! Which was already high from original pricing. Last time I went it was $105! Just insane. I'm glad I bought it when I did vs now. I really needed a crosscut sled and and flattening jig. So I made a 2 in 1! I Does both! Really maximized my space on that one. Baltic birch is such a nice plywood! Just wish it was cheaper.
FL Southern Plywood has been a pleasure to deal with over the years. Even their employee wearing the Dallas Cowboys is mostly tolerable ;-). I haven't bought anything from them in the past couple of years, but when I need lumber I go see them. I found out about them when planning a plywood boat and nobody else I could find had marine grade plywood. The boat idea is mostly dead at this point, but I'm glad I found a "local", 50 miles away, supplier for my lumber needs. I don't currently use plywood in my projects so you don't have to worry about me buying them out and leaving you high and dry :-).
In Lubbock TX Pan-Tex Plywood was were we got our Plywood when I worked there in the late 90s. Great Place Nice people and they would deliver. There MDF was also very good.
I find that approach works in almost any situation. If you are willing to admit you don't know what you are talking about or what terminology to use. Being honest and slightly vulnerable usually gets good results
Thanks for the useful info... Yeah hardwood dealers carry plywood in the 5X5 size instead of the 4X8 size. I bought some nice plywood project size panels recently at my local Woodcraft to build a better drill press table. Can definitely tell a difference between it and what I find in big box stores. Less voids
Thank you for the info. I'm in Alabama and I was told by the manager from Home depot that they got the 3/4 Baltic birch and at the time it was 40.00 a sheet. After the fluck pandemic hit it went to 108.00 and back down to around 60.00. I was told they were getting lumber from Georgia, then had to get from Canada, then had to get from California. California baught all the could which was most and spent alot of money for it. The thing was it wasnt bought for us in Alabama, only a quarter was for us. They shipped to other states for double the price yes double because of the demand which they just bought from all these states to make it non existant in those areas. That still left it muck higher for the locals here at home. And believe me they are only keeping 50 sheets on the rack but have a ward full ready to ship out to other states. The mom and pop places has some kind of Chinese Baltic birch and is the same price as home depot. A hurricane through Georgia, fires in California, it's a game to them.im in desperate need of Baltic birch 3/4, that's what I build everything with I'll just have to wait till it comes down a bit more. I was also the supply and demand doesn't make a difference. Ather states will get it at double the price because they dont have a choice.
In the plywood business, can confirm that I’ve heard the same reasoning as you’ve heard. They aren’t shipping as much to the US as pre-covid. We might see some relief in pricing in the next year, fingers crossed.
I went to my local dealer in Ireland few days ago and got 2 sheets of 8 x 4 birch plywood, 1/2 inch and they charged me €150 ($170). They told me that USA bought all of the stock of birch plywood last year so that's why they had to raise price 4 times last year. Now it seems a bit fishy to me but that's what they told me. In comparison I bought 1 18mm (3/4 inch) birch ply beginning of last year for €66 ($75).
Humility will get you a long ways with folks with any kind of customer service at all. If you roll in at the busiest time of day on the busiest day of the year, you’re probably gonna have less luck than if you stroll in 2:30 Monday afternoon. Also, if you’re looking to drop a couple grand and they happen to be a Festool dealer, that probably doesn’t hurt. Thanks for the info and I enjoy the videos, wishing you great success.
I'm glad someone is finally talking about the baltic birch prices because its insane. I called about 3 weeks ago to get some baltic birch and they want 80 for a sheet of 1/2 and over a 100 for sheet of 3/4. My jaw dropped to the floor.
I just purchased 3 sheets of 3/4" "Baltic Birch Plywood" from the local Home Depot, they were the only one who had more than 1 sheet. Each sheet only has 7 plies, which isn't terrible, and definitely cabinet grade, but the cost was $70 per sheet. They were nice enough to notice that I was walking with a cane and loaded my truck for me which was a plus. Now if only they could have followed me home and helped unload it, because that is some heavy material. With a bum foot, it took me almost a half hour to unload each sheet, and here up North it was only 15 degrees out side, so it was more like an hour per sheet to warm back up for the next one. Thanks for sharing. I envy your source and your weather.
I'm a bit south of cleveland. I went to HD to get plywood (wow, the price!) and drywall. I have no issue getting the 4x8 sheet stock off of the racks; however, I purchased the "30% lighter" drywall. I went out in the parking lot to load the haul into my silverado and that's when I realized: "if this is 30% lighter, I must have gotten 70% weaker when I turned 60." Thank goodness someone in parking lot helped.
Sorry David, but you did not get Baltic Birch. Home Depot doesn't even carry it...at least none in my area do. A 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood sheet also has 13 plies so anything less is not BB. It would be nice if that was really Baltic Birch at $70, but if it's not near $100 for your 5x5 or 4x8, it ain't Baltic Birch.
I'd been thinking about buying the drill holder and putting them sideways to hold the drills in my garage shop. So glad you introduced the hammerhead!!!! Can't wait to get mine!!
I once got a couple overseas boxes (on pallets) that had that type of plywood on the bottom, and I kept those two 4'x4' pieces for installing on a work bench top, and I still need 3 more pieces!
This reminds me when I was a first year electrical apprentice going to the supply house for my journeymen had the same exact interaction I had no idea what I’m doing , luckily the guys laughed and helped me out and proceeded to bust my chops , now we are good friends. Getting into woodworking as a hobby this is a great channel!
Thats funny my first trip i went in ask asked for what I needed. I also told them what I was dealing with. Somone cheated a power panel with the wrong brand breaker switch. This same contractor did the house acrossed the street that burnt down from electrical problems. Cheap light switches cheap outlets all this crap got changed a lot of it was falling apart. And the lights would shut off as you walked down a hallway then come back on. You flip a light switch and could feel it was broken into 2 parts behind the cover plate. Im no license electrical but I change every socket and light switch in the house with top shelf brands. I didnt change the power panel but it should have been replaced with a larger 150 to 250 amp 40 space box like a GE becuse they still use copper bus bars. Cheating a job on qulity brand parts is asking for a fire by using budget crap. What you save .20 cents a box or .03 cents a socket. Its not worth the risk or danger.
I counted myself lucky to find any Baltic birch this last fall. I paid $108 per sheet buying in bulk. It took 2 weeks to get here and had to be sourced from 2 different wholesalers. Unfortunately even with a bulk order our local hardwood dealer still won't deliver for free. We run a CNC business as well and Baltic birch is the way to go.
Well dang. I recently started watching your channel and now see that you are in Jacksonville. We moved from Lake City to Colorado two years ago. Wish I would have found your channel when we were in Florida. Love your content! Keep it up!
“Normal is a setting on a dryer” hope you don’t mind me taking this it’s perfect! 😆 Unfortunately the closest dedicated hardwood dealer for me is in Alabama since I live in the panhandle. There are several lumberyards but they are focused on construction lumber, I have yet to check all of them out though.
Plywood is an immense subject. I'm in the UK. I used to buy a lot of birch plywood mostly Finnish with the grain running across the 8x4 sheet. It is expensive but the alternative is far eastern which is generally poorer quality. I would say you find your local timber yard and ask, if they don't stock it they'll usually tell you where you can get it. One tip, store it in the dry, it only needs to be in a slightly damp atmosphere (where I live the air is usually damp) and it will develop mould on the surface.
Thank you for the tips Chris! I'm new to woodworking. I noticed at the beginning of your video it shows wood from Roseburg, which is in Oregon, which is where I'm from. And I thought (why am I watching this video to find where I can get good quality plywood, when I live in Oregon??) LOL!! But I really appreciate you telling us how to talk to people who work at a lumber yard. And yes, workers at the big box stores....hard to find anyone with knowledge or who can help. Peace..
Gee your a good man Chris! I wish I was living a lot closer in the states I’d come volunteer my time to help since you are always helping every one else. Looking forward to digital files of the new holders since you don’t ship to Australia yet.
I've been using Baltic birch for 40 years. I use it for drawers and slide shelves. It's very stable. And, now it's hard to get. At least in NW CO. Good luck with your business.
Chris, heard you say you were a bakery manager for Publix for a long time. Interesting, I was the plant controller at your supplier for cakes in Georgia for a long time as well. Small world.
In the Houston area "Houston Hardwoods" carries the Baltic Birch Ply, $108 / $85 for the 3/4" A/B grade respectively. I stocked up about 18 months ago, I bought 4 sheets of each of the 3/4 and 1/2 inch at a much lower price, I'm glad I did. I will never go back to the USA plywood again. Great video, good luck with your business.
I was at a Woodcraft looking for 4x8 sheets of Baltic Birch. They didn’t carry it, but told me where they sourced it, and that’s how I found my source for Baltic Birch plywood in my area. Our dealer has a minimum purchase of $250, but with the increased cost of plywood, that isn’t much of a problem anymore, LOL.
2:31 Would be useful to learn all the grades. Shannon's Lumber Industry Update podcast has multiple episodes on plywood grading, how it's made, what defects to expect.
Definitely an incredible resource. Once I was listening to it at work and a few people were laughing that I was listening to a podcast called “Lumber Industry Update”. Well, it was the early episode about the fire at the Norte Dame cathedral and they were all gathered around listening to it for the rest of the episode, riveted!
Another big problem - the Texas freeze last year broke so many of the petrochemical processing, of which glues for plywood is one. So that screwed a lot of things up
Pretty interesting, Chris! Thanks! 😊 I tried buying plywood from a few places here, now I only buy from one of them. Best price, quality and they deliver. So... The perfect solution. 😊 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thanks man. I am just south of yah. Having a hard time finding a dealer. For now i am stuck with sandeply. As it is the only consistent finish grade lumber that is consistent at this time. Big box stores buy per spec from whoever they can make money on.
I bought a sheet of “premium” Baltic birch from Aetna, which is a block away from my shop. It cost me a little over $100.00. I put it in my sheet rack without really looking at it. When I eventually used it for the purpose intended is when I realized something was wrong. It had voids in it and the plys were not what quality Baltic is made of. This was the same stuff I could have bought for 42.00 at Home Depot. I couldn’t return it because it was cut and it was my bad for not inspecting it but I didn’t doubt the product because of where I purchased it and the price. Live and learn.
I got shafted with phony baltic birch as well. Loaded with voids. Big box like Menard's know exactly what they are doing. Luan used to be cheap and often laminated using water proof glues. Now it's replacement is laminated with what must be library paste. The US is getting lowest bidder trash and has been for going on 25 years.
@@gregsmith5695 I expect inferior Baltic at the box stores but when I pay premium price for premium plywood at Aetna Plywood, a supplier, I didn’t expect to get screwed.
@@rerawho It isn't baltic birch at all. They just label it as such. Not the same glue. Not the same plys or numbers of plys. You might blame local management not understanding the difference but this has been in 3 states at three different big box places. And yes I have tried local hardwood dealers. I get pointed to "just as good" which is the same as the big box trash. I'm just in the wrong place geographically. I see C/D X getting passed off for "marine ply" in Florida to the unsuspecting as well. How do they do that? The US has no standard for marine plywood. The Navy has a specification. Lloyd's of London has a specification but there is no standard that is actually regulated. Maybe that is a holdover from the days when you could build a good boat using the exterior grade plywood that was available at that time. 40 years ago now. Japan became a major market for US plywood in the late 70s and 80s. They wanted exterior grade with a very good face veneer. They used it once for concrete forms. Just once. Then it went to the landfill that expanded the airport into Tokyo bay. They were willing to pay more. We got used to building with trash.
@@gregsmith5695 yes, agrees. I should rephrase. I didn’t expect to get fake Baltic for over $100.00 at Aetna like the fake crap at the box stores. Before I knew the difference many years ago, I built a torsion box work table. I still use it but since have found voids the hard way. The Baltic veneer was as thin as toilet paper.
@11:30, not to mention they are only open M-F from 7:30 - 5:00. For those of us that have full time jobs, that makes it even tougher to get stuff from them. BTW, I learned about FSP through you last year. Watched one of your videos about your new shop, heard you mentioned where you lived and asked the question.
I live in the low desert southwest near the Colorado River. Nothing but sand for 150 miles in any direction. I want some of that plywood! Woe is me. LOL!
Chris! I’m totally familiar with Baltic birch. All of the best professional sound speaker cabinets are made from it because of its tone. Great overview again. Let’s all Get Back! I’m ready!
I import containers of Baltic Birch into a few ports on the east and gulf coasts, just the freight rates from shipping truckloads from the ports into different states can add another $5-$10 dollars per sheet since trucking rates are so high due to trucking shortages.
I keep meaning to swing by FSP but being in the navy i tend to have longer work days and makes it harder to swing in there. The Woodcraft over on Beach is a great store. Everyone there have been awesome. Keep up the good work.
I have a local supplier that sells both a variety of plywood and hardwoods and they sell Sawstop saws, Festool, and CMT products. If you have one close by, then you want to go there as the prices will be better and you get to lean on their knowledge
Keep being you Chris. Doing awesome! Ordered the Marine maker block when you launched. Figured “fan boy” buy. DUDE, I reach for it over all the others. The time you placed to the handled and just sanding before you ship. A+
Thank you for your useful information I have a small wood shop just make stuff for myself cannot find any good plywood where I live at I live in strasburg Virginia
I get mine from a dude in the Gentilly in the middle of the hood in New Orleans. I have to wear a bullet proof vest and strap up but it worth it for $40 a sheet for 3/4" Baltic Birch.
Great video man. Anderson Lumber Company in St Pete is my go to. Just picked up some oak plywood and a few sheets of baltic birch for an upcoming commission project.
Great video. I’m glad to see another good wood worker here in the 904. There is another source for birch plywood on the west side. Look on market place.
Thank you for making this video. I want to validate your hesitancy in sharing this information with others. I think it speaks very highly of your character that you would decide to share this information. So many of us have a scarcity mentality, but if I were asked to bet, I am guessing that being generous with your knowledge will ultimately be a win win for you and your viewers. I have been interested in woodworking, etc. for most of my life, but since being an adult, I have mostly lived in cities where space is at a premium. I recently discovered makerspaces, which is allowing me to get serious about pursuing this interest. I don’t know why, or how I have known that Baltic birch is a premium product. Maybe it is because I tend to be drawn to high end, timeless, contemporary design, where I think Baltic birch is often used. I honestly don’t know. It appears you made this video prior to the beginning of the Ukraine Russian war. I have several questions that I’m guessing others may have as well and would make a great follow up video. Where are all these birch trees that are being used for the Baltic birch? If I had to guess since I have sometimes heard it referred to as Russian birch, most of it is from Russia? I know Russia is a huge country. Do they simply have so much forested land that they effectively have an unlimited supply? I hope I am wrong about this, but I am guessing that they have very few environmental standards, which is worrisome for several reason, but will it eventually run out? Another obvious question to me anyway is why doesn’t a company or two companies or three make something similar or equivalent to it in the United States or somewhere close? I recall you did a video about another product that was similar, but ultimately still not as good. It makes me wonder why a Canadian company for instants is not producing something similar to Baltic birch, or even better. I don’t expect you to answer all these questions to me directly. I do think it would be a great video. If anyone knows the answer to any of these questions, feel free to respond to my comment. I am genuinely curious. Thank you again.
Just as an aside, sometimes baltic birch comes in 4x8 sheets instead of the traditional 5x5's. I have never run into a circumstance where 4x8 sheets were sold for the same or less than 5x5 ones on a per square foot basis. So buy the 5x5
When I started buying plywood in any real quantity, I went to my local dealer, and I was just like Chris. I told the gentleman I was new to this and just a hobbyist. He was so nice and helped me by taking the time to show me how it all worked and that person created a life long customer just by being nice.
I am so impressed by your honesty. What an absolute great treat to watch your videos. You are quickly becoming my favorite woodworker. Keep up the great work.
One of the things I love about you Chris? You always seem excited that you GET to do this. Like you won the lottery and still can't believe that you do this for a living. Thanks for this.
Florida Southern Plywood is great. My experience with Adam was similar, he’s a good guy. I’ve also found the warehouse guys to be very helpful.
Great info. Cabinet shops in my area offload their scraps/mistakes to a reclaimed building supply store. You can get great scraps of BB in 4x4ish sheets. Usually it'll have some kind of plastic laminate on it, but that can be a good thing if it's a look you can live with or if it just doesn't matter at all.
"Once you get a sheet, you will know."
So true, my man. Thanks for doing what you do. Love the clamp holders.
My local supplier is Peach State Lumber in Acworth GA. They're super helpful. You can walk around (except back in the stock area where the fork lifts are running) and look at all the wood without a problem. You'll get one or two guys asking if they can help, tell them what you want, they will either point at the wood you're looking for, or help you make a choice. Once purchased, they tell you to back up to the door and they load it up for you. They also have better prices for higher quality plywood than the big box stores.
Agree with you. I started buying my lumber from Peach State. Treated me great. Got what I needed. No sweat.
Do they carry the outdoor plywood?
Agree! But I havent been thewre for a long time, because we moved "up north" ....
Thanks for the info. I’m in Dallas, I’ll go check them out!
me 2 its a great place i love going to the warehouse and seeing the variety
You bring up some great points about lumber yards. When I was a teenager wanting to do woodworking projects, the lumber yard intimidated me. I brought my Grandfather with me. He was a union carpenter and was a guy that got along with the guys in the yard, no problem. He know his stuff and always treated the guys there nice. He treated everyone nicely, he just knew what he was doing at a yard. My first time solo experience was like you, I told them what I was working on and asked for help. They were great. And I got all that I needed and got it delivered.
The
Love your videos. I want to share a tip I got from Colin coldet a fellow woodworker that a video channel also he showed ancillary share with you take a scrap piece of 2x4 about 10" long. Find some scrap1x4 x 10" and screw them(2pieces needed)to the sides of the 2x4. Turn on its side find center of board 5",and measure up 1 and 1/4" from the bottom drill ahold thru all 3 boards that you can run a piece of all thread thru. Find some 6" wheels and attach. On inside of your new dolly find center of board on inside. Measure from center 3/4 on each side of center cut 2 pieces that will fit up to the 3/4"mark on each side.now when you need to carry plywood around in the shop you can use the dolly to wheel it there. It can carry 2ea 3/4 sheets just put dolly in center of plywood edge go to one end pick it up a little and push it where you need it. This really helps me im a retired army ranger I fell 100 ft down a mountain side and crushed the last 4 disks in my back. Abd the dolly is a life saver.
Here is Southern California, I get my Baltic Birch Plywood from a dealer called "Reel Lumber Service" and they are awesome. I walked in not know really what I was doing, I asked for some help, and I was given more than I could have expected. They will get me or anybody the size that you need (1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and any type of hardwood you could imagine). They will help you put it on your board cart, load the truck and deliver if that is what you need. The quality is amazing, and the service is otherworldly. I have not bought any plywood from a big box store ever since I found them...
Man, thank you for sharing this info but mostly at least for me thank you for sharing your kindness and friendly welcoming videos that you do. We need this more than ever in this time of hate and division so again thank you for sharing your human side.
Cheers from Wisconsin!
Man, I can see the joy in your eyes to just be talking to people that want to listen about what you love... I pray everyone can find something as meaningful to them as you have. For the same reason, I subscribed to your channel when you did the video about your family and plans.
Keep up the great content creation... I'm going to go back to watching the video now.
This is a very timely video. I asked on a forum - earlier today - about the process of buying wood for beginners and got shot down for my ignorance.
That’s a shame. Wow
Disclosing you don’t KNOW stuff but are willing to listen and learn WORKS like a miracle.
This! 💯💯💯 I had a very similar first experience at my local lumber yard. I walked in and said “hi, I’m tired of buying s$&#*y wood and I’ve never been to a store like this before. Can someone help me figure some things out?”
I was introduced to everyone working there that day and given a full tour of the yard and their products. It blew me away how helpful and friendly everyone was.
I strongly recommend everyone do the same!
I found a commercial plywood company up here in Baltimore (Chesapeake Plywood). They have a minimum purchase, but it's not bad. They even nicely loaded everything in my pickup, complete with protective cardboard. (They'll deliver as well if you prefer). Much nicer plywood than HD/Lowes for not much more, loaded right into my truck. The BB has stayed straight unlike the ski ramps you normally get.
For this place, you order online, and then go into a front office on site, and get buzzed through the gate. You pull right into the loading dock.
The only recommendation I have for places like this is to not waste their time. They're doing a huge amount of business with full pallets of plywood. So if you're going to ask questions, be sure to buy.
I use them as well. They upped their minimum purchase to $500 so that kind of sucks. I usually just buy some extra sheets of 3/4 ,1/2, and 1/4 that I know I’m gonna use. Great place though.
@@trbarnett Unfortunately, it's not hard to rack up $500 in plywood these days.
Hi Chris,
Thanks and I purchase my plywood from Florida Southern Plywood. Absolutely, their delivery service is awesome. Now I just call and they deliver the plywood. They're 10 times better than our local Big Box Stores.
What do they charge you for shipping?
@@Zamboni-0805 $25.00
Appreciate your honesty and willingness to help others out. I'm west of Atlanta, so no worries about me 🙂
Chris, I stumbled on your channel because I'm going to build a library in my North JAX home and I'm looking for good materials! So thankful to find your content!!
I found your videos last year and I love them. I too have an artistic son. Your videos inspire me. This one was great like all the rest. Keep it up and thanks
Their is also a product called Appleply. Manufactured in the State of Oregon. Made of birch. Available in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" thickness. 4 by 8 sheets. In my opinion, better quality than baltic birch. I use to pay $140.00 per 3/4" sheet. (Pre covid). Available through specialty lumber suppliers.
We have Appleply here in Cali. Expensive, but nice plywood
Actually, it available directly from the Appleply Store in sizes ranging from 24" x 24" to 24" by 96" , They don't list a 4' x 8' for shipment; 48" x 48" is the biggest square. They also offer a 1 1/2" thickness.Five or six years ago I bought a 96" by 12", 2"-thick that I use as a sled in my thickness planer to flatten boards. It's a high quality product and they are good people to deal with.
Rockler caries 30"X60", at least the one I go to. Last year I bough a bunch on sale. If I remember correctly ~$30/sheet, which is $60 for a 5'x5'. I have picked up some good Canadian plywood from a locally owned lumber yard.
I had a house once, which had a large amount of furniture grade plywood in it. The man who owned/built it, told me that when a plywood factory was closing there doors (around 40 years ago now) he bought several lots at auction, for relatively cheap.
God Bless you and your family, Chris! Learned a lot from your channel and glad it's paying off for you!
Hey Chris, Thank you so much for sharing the love on plywood!! Keep up the amazing videos!!
Oh... and I will be stealing the "Normal" analogy!! My family is SO NOT "Normal" too!
I worked in restaurants for 9 years under the same manager/owner. The best skill he taught me is to just play dumb and ask for help. I watched it open so many doors it was ridiculous. I've used it to great effect. "Can you help me, I'm trying to do X? Oh, you can't. Who would you suggest I go to for help?" Just do that until you get to the person that can help. It works better than complaining or yelling. I watched him get us into ticketed events, talk to congresspeople etc.
There’s a great episode of the Making It podcast where they discuss this, I think the episode title is “Help me, I’m an idiot”
Great tips. I've been using Baltic/Russian Birch for a long time. It is my go-to for building projects and drawers.
I've used FSP for 40 years. Good folks.
For anyone in the Kansas City market, I've been using Liberty Hardwoods which is right by Worlds of Fun. Great place, great people, great Baltic Birch!
I'm down in St. Johns, so glad I found this video I'm just getting into woodworking as a hobby, Thank you for the advice, put me down for a subscription :)
Chris, thank you, I traveled to Florida Southern Plywood Company from south of Savannah and purchased as much plywood I could fit into my storage building. I found the people there very pleasant and helpful. They were very familiar with this video and as a result of it have received many inquiries and even had a call from Michigan requesting they ship some to him.
They had a tremendous stock of both plywood and slab lumber. I will definitely return when I need more! I have been looking for a dealer like Florida Southern Plywood Company for several years. Thanks again!
Thanks for sharing Chris! First time when I bought a 5'x5' sheet of plywood was June of 2020. It was $60! Which was already high from original pricing. Last time I went it was $105! Just insane. I'm glad I bought it when I did vs now. I really needed a crosscut sled and and flattening jig. So I made a 2 in 1! I Does both! Really maximized my space on that one. Baltic birch is such a nice plywood! Just wish it was cheaper.
Prices are similar in Europe as well.
FL Southern Plywood has been a pleasure to deal with over the years. Even their employee wearing the Dallas Cowboys is mostly tolerable ;-). I haven't bought anything from them in the past couple of years, but when I need lumber I go see them. I found out about them when planning a plywood boat and nobody else I could find had marine grade plywood. The boat idea is mostly dead at this point, but I'm glad I found a "local", 50 miles away, supplier for my lumber needs.
I don't currently use plywood in my projects so you don't have to worry about me buying them out and leaving you high and dry :-).
Liked this. Liked how you are reminding people to be humble.
In Lubbock TX Pan-Tex Plywood was were we got our Plywood when I worked there in the late 90s. Great Place Nice people and they would deliver. There MDF was also very good.
Baltic birch is scarce because you bought it all! Look at those stacks!! 😀
I find that approach works in almost any situation. If you are willing to admit you don't know what you are talking about or what terminology to use. Being honest and slightly vulnerable usually gets good results
FL Southern is awesome. lol and funny thing Woodcraft was the one who told me about them as well
Thanks for the useful info... Yeah hardwood dealers carry plywood in the 5X5 size instead of the 4X8 size. I bought some nice plywood project size panels recently at my local Woodcraft to build a better drill press table. Can definitely tell a difference between it and what I find in big box stores. Less voids
Real BB Pwd typically comes in 5x5 vs 4x8
@@justinjones9255 possibly a shipping / supply chain thing - we definitely have proper BB here in Europe in 4x8 (1220x2440) sheets :)
Thank you for the info. I'm in Alabama and I was told by the manager from Home depot that they got the 3/4 Baltic birch and at the time it was 40.00 a sheet. After the fluck pandemic hit it went to 108.00 and back down to around 60.00. I was told they were getting lumber from Georgia, then had to get from Canada, then had to get from California. California baught all the could which was most and spent alot of money for it. The thing was it wasnt bought for us in Alabama, only a quarter was for us. They shipped to other states for double the price yes double because of the demand which they just bought from all these states to make it non existant in those areas. That still left it muck higher for the locals here at home. And believe me they are only keeping 50 sheets on the rack but have a ward full ready to ship out to other states. The mom and pop places has some kind of Chinese Baltic birch and is the same price as home depot. A hurricane through Georgia, fires in California, it's a game to them.im in desperate need of Baltic birch 3/4, that's what I build everything with I'll just have to wait till it comes down a bit more. I was also the supply and demand doesn't make a difference. Ather states will get it at double the price because they dont have a choice.
Baltic Birch almost has the strength to weight ratio of steel, it also has shock resistance but low decay resistance and fungi love it
In the plywood business, can confirm that I’ve heard the same reasoning as you’ve heard. They aren’t shipping as much to the US as pre-covid. We might see some relief in pricing in the next year, fingers crossed.
I lived in the Jacksonville area for over 20 years and had no idea the SFPC carried Baltic Birch Plywood!!
I went to my local dealer in Ireland few days ago and got 2 sheets of 8 x 4 birch plywood, 1/2 inch and they charged me €150 ($170). They told me that USA bought all of the stock of birch plywood last year so that's why they had to raise price 4 times last year. Now it seems a bit fishy to me but that's what they told me. In comparison I bought 1 18mm (3/4 inch) birch ply beginning of last year for €66 ($75).
Humility will get you a long ways with folks with any kind of customer service at all. If you roll in at the busiest time of day on the busiest day of the year, you’re probably gonna have less luck than if you stroll in 2:30 Monday afternoon. Also, if you’re looking to drop a couple grand and they happen to be a Festool dealer, that probably doesn’t hurt.
Thanks for the info and I enjoy the videos, wishing you great success.
In the Greater Chicagoland area I get my Baltic birch ply From Owl hardwood has 3 stores and they deliver
I like Owls okay but I miss the big lumber yard experience.
You are spot on with how to deal with suppliers. I work for a HVAC supply house, and what you are saying is 100% right
I'm glad someone is finally talking about the baltic birch prices because its insane. I called about 3 weeks ago to get some baltic birch and they want 80 for a sheet of 1/2 and over a 100 for sheet of 3/4. My jaw dropped to the floor.
got a quote for 3/4 inch birch (the guy didn't know what "baltic" birch is) for 150$
I live in Michigan. I have a number of suppliers near me. I've been using it to build cabinets for years.
I just purchased 3 sheets of 3/4" "Baltic Birch Plywood" from the local Home Depot, they were the only one who had more than 1 sheet. Each sheet only has 7 plies, which isn't terrible, and definitely cabinet grade, but the cost was $70 per sheet. They were nice enough to notice that I was walking with a cane and loaded my truck for me which was a plus. Now if only they could have followed me home and helped unload it, because that is some heavy material. With a bum foot, it took me almost a half hour to unload each sheet, and here up North it was only 15 degrees out side, so it was more like an hour per sheet to warm back up for the next one. Thanks for sharing. I envy your source and your weather.
I'm a bit south of cleveland. I went to HD to get plywood (wow, the price!) and drywall. I have no issue getting the 4x8 sheet stock off of the racks; however, I purchased the "30% lighter" drywall. I went out in the parking lot to load the haul into my silverado and that's when I realized: "if this is 30% lighter, I must have gotten 70% weaker when I turned 60." Thank goodness someone in parking lot helped.
Is it BALTIC birch plywood, or just birch plywood?
Sorry David, but you did not get Baltic Birch. Home Depot doesn't even carry it...at least none in my area do. A 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood sheet also has 13 plies so anything less is not BB. It would be nice if that was really Baltic Birch at $70, but if it's not near $100 for your 5x5 or 4x8, it ain't Baltic Birch.
I'd been thinking about buying the drill holder and putting them sideways to hold the drills in my garage shop. So glad you introduced the hammerhead!!!! Can't wait to get mine!!
First video of yours I’ve watched and just wanna say thanks for the humility as well as the info.
I once got a couple overseas boxes (on pallets) that had that type of plywood on the bottom, and I kept those two 4'x4' pieces for installing on a work bench top, and I still need 3 more pieces!
This reminds me when I was a first year electrical apprentice going to the supply house for my journeymen had the same exact interaction I had no idea what I’m doing , luckily the guys laughed and helped me out and proceeded to bust my chops , now we are good friends. Getting into woodworking as a hobby this is a great channel!
Thats funny my first trip i went in ask asked for what I needed.
I also told them what I was dealing with.
Somone cheated a power panel with the wrong brand breaker switch.
This same contractor did the house acrossed the street that burnt down from electrical problems. Cheap light switches cheap outlets all this crap got changed a lot of it was falling apart.
And the lights would shut off as you walked down a hallway then come back on. You flip a light switch and could feel it was broken into 2 parts behind the cover plate. Im no license electrical but I change every socket and light switch in the house with top shelf brands.
I didnt change the power panel but it should have been replaced with a larger 150 to 250 amp 40 space box like a GE becuse they still use copper bus bars.
Cheating a job on qulity brand parts is asking for a fire by using budget crap.
What you save .20 cents a box or .03 cents a socket. Its not worth the risk or danger.
Chris, I watched your video with great enthusiasm, a d found it to be very informative.
Well done! Keep up the excellent work!
I counted myself lucky to find any Baltic birch this last fall. I paid $108 per sheet buying in bulk. It took 2 weeks to get here and had to be sourced from 2 different wholesalers. Unfortunately even with a bulk order our local hardwood dealer still won't deliver for free. We run a CNC business as well and Baltic birch is the way to go.
Well dang. I recently started watching your channel and now see that you are in Jacksonville. We moved from Lake City to Colorado two years ago. Wish I would have found your channel when we were in Florida. Love your content! Keep it up!
“Normal is a setting on a dryer” hope you don’t mind me taking this it’s perfect! 😆 Unfortunately the closest dedicated hardwood dealer for me is in Alabama since I live in the panhandle. There are several lumberyards but they are focused on construction lumber, I have yet to check all of them out though.
Plywood is an immense subject. I'm in the UK. I used to buy a lot of birch plywood mostly Finnish with the grain running across the 8x4 sheet. It is expensive but the alternative is far eastern which is generally poorer quality. I would say you find your local timber yard and ask, if they don't stock it they'll usually tell you where you can get it. One tip, store it in the dry, it only needs to be in a slightly damp atmosphere (where I live the air is usually damp) and it will develop mould on the surface.
Appreciate you Sir.... thank you.
Found a local dealer here in CA just by using some key words mentioned in the video.
Great feedback!
Thank you for the tips Chris! I'm new to woodworking. I noticed at the beginning of your video it shows wood from Roseburg, which is in Oregon, which is where I'm from. And I thought (why am I watching this video to find where I can get good quality plywood, when I live in Oregon??) LOL!! But I really appreciate you telling us how to talk to people who work at a lumber yard. And yes, workers at the big box stores....hard to find anyone with knowledge or who can help. Peace..
because rosy doesnt make 11 ply birch,, ( hi from oregon too), 3/4 ply is 7 ply and full of voids from the usa
Gee your a good man Chris! I wish I was living a lot closer in the states I’d come volunteer my time to help since you are always helping every one else.
Looking forward to digital files of the new holders since you don’t ship to Australia yet.
I wish I had one close to me. Lowes and HD are just not the same. Thanks for the video.
I've been using Baltic birch for 40 years. I use it for drawers and slide shelves. It's very stable. And, now it's hard to get. At least in NW CO.
Good luck with your business.
Always a good idea to be humble.
Chris, heard you say you were a bakery manager for Publix for a long time. Interesting, I was the plant controller at your supplier for cakes in Georgia for a long time as well. Small world.
Chris sounds like a good guy. Thanks for info. My dealer was very helpful. These guys can be very very helpful.
Great channel. Keep up the good work
In the Houston area "Houston Hardwoods" carries the Baltic Birch Ply, $108 / $85 for the 3/4" A/B grade respectively. I stocked up about 18 months ago, I bought 4 sheets of each of the 3/4 and 1/2 inch at a much lower price, I'm glad I did. I will never go back to the USA plywood again. Great video, good luck with your business.
Just found this video and am glad I did. what a great video! Thank you so much for putting this out there.
I was at a Woodcraft looking for 4x8 sheets of Baltic Birch. They didn’t carry it, but told me where they sourced it, and that’s how I found my source for Baltic Birch plywood in my area. Our dealer has a minimum purchase of $250, but with the increased cost of plywood, that isn’t much of a problem anymore, LOL.
Scratch a line on your saw bed with a scribe point. It's a pretty good tip. Scribe both sides of the blade(s). Good luck.
Best in town…. I use them for all my wood needs
2:31 Would be useful to learn all the grades. Shannon's Lumber Industry Update podcast has multiple episodes on plywood grading, how it's made, what defects to expect.
Definitely an incredible resource. Once I was listening to it at work and a few people were laughing that I was listening to a podcast called “Lumber Industry Update”. Well, it was the early episode about the fire at the Norte Dame cathedral and they were all gathered around listening to it for the rest of the episode, riveted!
Another big problem - the Texas freeze last year broke so many of the petrochemical processing, of which glues for plywood is one. So that screwed a lot of things up
Pretty interesting, Chris! Thanks! 😊
I tried buying plywood from a few places here, now I only buy from one of them. Best price, quality and they deliver. So... The perfect solution. 😊
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thanks man. I am just south of yah. Having a hard time finding a dealer. For now i am stuck with sandeply. As it is the only consistent finish grade lumber that is consistent at this time.
Big box stores buy per spec from whoever they can make money on.
The place to go in North East Atlanta is Suwanee Lumber.
Heard a lot of good things about them
Thank you for the info. Good to hear from another FL brother. Keep up the good work. Love the content!!!
I bought a sheet of “premium” Baltic birch from Aetna, which is a block away from my shop. It cost me a little over $100.00. I put it in my sheet rack without really looking at it. When I eventually used it for the purpose intended is when I realized something was wrong. It had voids in it and the plys were not what quality Baltic is made of. This was the same stuff I could have bought for 42.00 at Home Depot. I couldn’t return it because it was cut and it was my bad for not inspecting it but I didn’t doubt the product because of where I purchased it and the price. Live and learn.
I got shafted with phony baltic birch as well. Loaded with voids. Big box like Menard's know exactly what they are doing.
Luan used to be cheap and often laminated using water proof glues. Now it's replacement is laminated with what must be library paste. The US is getting lowest bidder trash and has been for going on 25 years.
@@gregsmith5695 I expect inferior Baltic at the box stores but when I pay premium price for premium plywood at Aetna Plywood, a supplier, I didn’t expect to get screwed.
@@rerawho It isn't baltic birch at all. They just label it as such. Not the same glue. Not the same plys or numbers of plys. You might blame local management not understanding the difference but this has been in 3 states at three different big box places. And yes I have tried local hardwood dealers. I get pointed to "just as good" which is the same as the big box trash. I'm just in the wrong place geographically.
I see C/D X getting passed off for "marine ply" in Florida to the unsuspecting as well. How do they do that? The US has no standard for marine plywood. The Navy has a specification. Lloyd's of London has a specification but there is no standard that is actually regulated.
Maybe that is a holdover from the days when you could build a good boat using the exterior grade plywood that was available at that time. 40 years ago now. Japan became a major market for US plywood in the late 70s and 80s. They wanted exterior grade with a very good face veneer. They used it once for concrete forms. Just once. Then it went to the landfill that expanded the airport into Tokyo bay. They were willing to pay more. We got used to building with trash.
@@gregsmith5695 yes, agrees. I should rephrase. I didn’t expect to get fake Baltic for over $100.00 at Aetna like the fake crap at the box stores. Before I knew the difference many years ago, I built a torsion box work table. I still use it but since have found voids the hard way. The Baltic veneer was as thin as toilet paper.
'normal is a setting on a dryer' 👍You should make a t-shirt saying that!
@11:30, not to mention they are only open M-F from 7:30 - 5:00. For those of us that have full time jobs, that makes it even tougher to get stuff from them. BTW, I learned about FSP through you last year. Watched one of your videos about your new shop, heard you mentioned where you lived and asked the question.
Well now you have gone and done it. My secret lumber stash is out Florida Southern here in Jax is great.
I live in the low desert southwest near the Colorado River. Nothing but sand for 150 miles in any direction. I want some of that plywood! Woe is me. LOL!
Chris! I’m totally familiar with Baltic birch. All of the best professional sound speaker cabinets are made from it because of its tone. Great overview again. Let’s all Get Back! I’m ready!
Thanks for blowing up my source....
I import containers of Baltic Birch into a few ports on the east and gulf coasts, just the freight rates from shipping truckloads from the ports into different states can add another $5-$10 dollars per sheet since trucking rates are so high due to trucking shortages.
As always great video love the honest straightforward talk. thank you
I keep meaning to swing by FSP but being in the navy i tend to have longer work days and makes it harder to swing in there. The Woodcraft over on Beach is a great store. Everyone there have been awesome. Keep up the good work.
I have a local supplier that sells both a variety of plywood and hardwoods and they sell Sawstop saws, Festool, and CMT products. If you have one close by, then you want to go there as the prices will be better and you get to lean on their knowledge
Keep being you Chris. Doing awesome! Ordered the Marine maker block when you launched. Figured “fan boy” buy. DUDE, I reach for it over all the others. The time you placed to the handled and just sanding before you ship. A+
I just paid $130 a sheet for 3/4 Baltic birch last week in New Hampshire.
Thank you for your useful information I have a small wood shop just make stuff for myself cannot find any good plywood where I live at I live in strasburg Virginia
I get mine from a dude in the Gentilly in the middle of the hood in New Orleans. I have to wear a bullet proof vest and strap up but it worth it for $40 a sheet for 3/4" Baltic Birch.
Florida Southern Ply is my “go to” dealer! Adam and all the guys have been great to work with. Hope to bump into you there again. 👍
Just paid $149 for 18MM 4X8 and $119 for 12MM 4X8 today. The 1/4" 5X5 was $49.99. Scottsdale, AZ.
Great video man. Anderson Lumber Company in St Pete is my go to. Just picked up some oak plywood and a few sheets of baltic birch for an upcoming commission project.
That step down, when you walk in the office always gets me ;-) even after I read the sign on the door.
@@damnemail haha. You know it. I quit going in that way.
11:13 Gotta love flatbread trucks :)
Great video. I’m glad to see another good wood worker here in the 904. There is another source for birch plywood on the west side. Look on market place.
904 here also, what source is that? Thanks man!
Thank you for making this video. I want to validate your hesitancy in sharing this information with others. I think it speaks very highly of your character that you would decide to share this information. So many of us have a scarcity mentality, but if I were asked to bet, I am guessing that being generous with your knowledge will ultimately be a win win for you and your viewers. I have been interested in woodworking, etc. for most of my life, but since being an adult, I have mostly lived in cities where space is at a premium. I recently discovered makerspaces, which is allowing me to get serious about pursuing this interest. I don’t know why, or how I have known that Baltic birch is a premium product. Maybe it is because I tend to be drawn to high end, timeless, contemporary design, where I think Baltic birch is often used. I honestly don’t know. It appears you made this video prior to the beginning of the Ukraine Russian war. I have several questions that I’m guessing others may have as well and would make a great follow up video. Where are all these birch trees that are being used for the Baltic birch? If I had to guess since I have sometimes heard it referred to as Russian birch, most of it is from Russia? I know Russia is a huge country. Do they simply have so much forested land that they effectively have an unlimited supply? I hope I am wrong about this, but I am guessing that they have very few environmental standards, which is worrisome for several reason, but will it eventually run out? Another obvious question to me anyway is why doesn’t a company or two companies or three make something similar or equivalent to it in the United States or somewhere close? I recall you did a video about another product that was similar, but ultimately still not as good. It makes me wonder why a Canadian company for instants is not producing something similar to Baltic birch, or even better. I don’t expect you to answer all these questions to me directly. I do think it would be a great video. If anyone knows the answer to any of these questions, feel free to respond to my comment. I am genuinely curious. Thank you again.
Great info provided with a great attitude! Thank you.
Just as an aside, sometimes baltic birch comes in 4x8 sheets instead of the traditional 5x5's. I have never run into a circumstance where 4x8 sheets were sold for the same or less than 5x5 ones on a per square foot basis. So buy the 5x5
The 4ft x 8ft sheets have exterior glue, so if you are making something that will be outside, get the 4ft x 8ft sheets.