Dovetails

Adam Hollohan · Post by **Adam Hollohan** » Tue, Sep 11 2007, 6:18PM

We are also thinking about starting to cut dovetails. I have heard recently that 1/2 inch baltic birch price is going up pretty rapidily. Currently I can purchase it between 34 to 40 dollars for a sheet of 5*5. Wondering what people are charging per drawer (standard 16 inches wide) that are cut on the CNC and has anyone found a subsitute for baltic birth, preferably something prefinished.

Nick M Singer · Post by **Nick M Singer** » Tue, Sep 11 2007, 10:39PM

Adam we have had a problem in that 12mm Birch is simply unavailable in this country. I was able to locate the last 40 sheets a week ago in Cape Town and that is that. It is so expensive nobody wants to bring it in apparently. I have used a high quality Marine ply as an alternative at half the cost.

Adam Hollohan · Post by **Adam Hollohan** » Wed, Sep 12 2007, 5:44AM

What supplier did you get your marine plywood from.
We currently buy a lot of material from Richeleu and Robert Burry. What is your cost per sheet. Also wondering if anyone pre finishes their plywood before it is cut on the router?

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Wed, Sep 12 2007, 8:35AM

It will help to know where you are at Adam.

Forrest

Michael S Murray · Post by **Michael S Murray** » Wed, Sep 12 2007, 9:10AM

I posted a thread a while back about a source for 5/8 baltic in 4x8 sheets. It is still available for any one interested. I bought 6 bunks for my own use. Last I heard they had about 90 units left. E-mail me if any one needs info.

Mark Hesketh · Post by **Mark Hesketh** » Wed, Sep 12 2007, 2:21PM

my supplier told me that something happened to the processing in russia for the baltic birch, and that's why it is getting scarce right now. I know we were told it would simply be unavailable for a month or so some time ago. not sure if they have everything running smooth again or not.

we just ran a bunch of jobs with pre-finished 3/4 plywood. not drawers, but more-or-less the same process. everything seemed to cut fine. we use a 1/2\" compression bit for all our outline cuts and it left a good edge. i was able to cut 120+ sheets with each bit as well, which was great since the melamine we usually cut usually kills the bits a whole lot faster than that.

Nick M Singer · Post by **Nick M Singer** » Wed, Sep 12 2007, 11:11PM

In answere to your question about finishing Adam, I find it a good idea to prefinish the ply because it firstly improves the vacuum hold, and secondly it makes finishing the drawers so much easier.