laminate on Birch ply ?

[davin]

Hello all.

Just bought some very expensive Birch ply, and some fairly expensive formica type laminate (to make some desk tops).

As I was leaving the supplier with the laminate he said " I dont think you are meant to use laminate on Birch ply,I don`t think contact adhesive will work, as the ply surface isn`t uniform enough".
Gulp.
I have done it before no problem ( with ply and MDF). But now I am a bit worried...
Any other opinions

Davin

 

[davin]

OK OK I realise that its not a real wood question.
Just pretend that it`s for a router table top and not a piece of furniture.



Davin

 

[dickm]

Can't see why there should be any problem. If it's good quality birch ply, then the surface should be at least as good as the sort of blockboard with a veneer face that used often to be used as a base for formica (I'm old enough to remember it!)

 

[mtr1]

Sounds like nonsense to me, never had a problem using good quality birch ply for your application.

 

[joiner_sim]

I would say that there will be no problem laminating birch ply. I haven't been laminating for more than 6 months but from experience I'd say it'd be okay, although not laminated birch ply myself.

I've laminated fire doors and had no problems.... I did give the doors surface a quick fine sand first though.

 

[Jake]

MDF is a better substrate.

 

[jimi43]

If it is good birch ply it should be flat. I used it for making amp cabinets and it was as flat as a pancake.

If it isn't they should take it back and you should find a supplier who sells flat stuff.

Jim

 

[JoinerySolutions]

You still need to put a balancer laminate on the opposite side too.

What type of ply did you get the multicore birch ply for cabinetmaking and pattern making or some type of shuttering ply with lots of voids from knotholes and such?

Rob.

 

[davin]

Thanks for the replies.

I will go ahead and use ply. I would use mdf, but need the ply to show on the edge.
What do others use to spread the contact adhesive with? I am just using a serrated spreader, but If I am going to be doing a lot of this what could I be looking at regards application?

It should be good quality, (probably Russian or Latvian).
Prices ranged form an eyewatering £70 +vat to a slightly less shocking (but equaly eyewatering!) £42 +.
Where do others source ply? Im in East Sussex but travel to Kent a lot (and London if I can`t avoid it)

Thanks Davin

 

[JanneKi]

It is doable, form ply is exactly that. You can find details for example from here:

http://www.koskisen.com/products/plywoo ... rk-plywood

There's a PDF-file there that you can download. It's basically the same thing you will be doing, except you will laminate the (hopefully both sides!) ply yourself.

 

[davin]

Thanks Janne.

I have seen Koskisen products before. Very high quality, But I cant find a supplier in the UK.
Thanks for the link though.
Any snow in Oulu yet ?
I will be in Helsinki next week (unfortunately for a funeral) And I will try and find out how much birch ply costs there,sadly easy jet hand luggage restrictions will not let me bring back a few sheets.

Thanks again
Davin

 

[Jake]

OK, if edges are important - I've been there, mentally, never consummated, this is where I got to. As I say, never consummated, and they may well say you need to buy 1/10/100 pallets before supply begins. But, the nicest plywood I have ever seen is here:

[gollum mode on]

 

[George_N]

My router table top is B&Q birch ply, which I laminated on both sides with "Formica" laminate. I used Evo-Stick contact cement to attach the laminate. Four years on and still no problems. I reckon a router table top gets a lot more wear than the average desk so you should have no problems with laminate on good quality birch ply.

 

[Jake]

Oh thanks for reminding me.

[/gollum mode]

http://www.ltlewis.co.uk/

Check the fineplys for instance. Probably £200 a sheet or something, I've never troubled to inquire.

 

[davin]

Thanks for the link Jake.


I remember making a string board for a piano restorer a few years ago.
It was 50mm thick Beech ply.
His final words on leaving me where, "don`t mess it up, that Beech ply costs £300 a sheet!)
No pressure then

davin