How to Buy Baltic Birch Plywood
Baltic birch plywood, or Russian birch, is a light-color wood that is a low-cost but has higher veneer quality than American Baltic. The plywood is graded with Russian building standards, which are unlike American standards. When purchasing Baltic birch plywood, it is important to understand the grades to determine which is appropriate for your woodworking project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure the area that you are using the plywood for and determine which size Baltic birch plywood size will work best. Baltic birch is typically available in 5-by-5-foot sizes, but is also available in 4-by-8-foot sizes. The smaller size is appropriate for small woodworking jobs, whereas the larger sheets are more appropriate for entire walls.
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Purchase the proper thickness of Baltic birch plywood depending on what you are using it for. Baltic birch plywood is available in the following thicknesses, 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch. If you are using the plywood for a drawer slide or other tight spot, use a tape measure to ensure you purchase a thickness that will fit.
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Buy Baltic birch plywood that has a "B" grade if you will leave it unpainted, or will stain it with a semi-transparent coating. This is the highest grade and is pre-sanded.
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Buy "BB" or "CP" grade Baltic birch plywood for projects where appearance does not matter or where the plywood will be painted. Although these plywoods are still durable, they often have patches, knots and streaks, which affect the aesthetic appearance.
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Save money by purchasing "shop grade" or "C" grade Baltic birch plywood, which is a slightly damaged product with cracks at the side. These are sold at a discount but you can easily cut off the damaged sections and use the remainder of the wood.
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