Do I need marine ply for my project?
So I got an email from a fella named Grant the other week, who had picked up on my mention of marine ply in the article DIY False Floor. An Alternative To Drawers.
I, like just about anyone else who’s been reading forums and other esteemed publications for the last few years or more; had come to believe that marine grade plywood is entirely waterproof and therefor the best option for longevity. Apparently this is not the case.
The most common argument I hear in favour of marine ply is the use of an expensive waterproof glue which will prevent the layers separating. That’s a fair assumption, how else could it be any better when it looks the same? Grant assures me that the only difference is that marine ply uses a “clear veneer” which is basically a better finished veneer with no knots. The idea being that if you are shaping a boat hull, you don’t want to be cutting or sanding a knot which may pop out later down the track (and probably sink your boat I guess!).
Okay, so who the heck is Grant to be telling us all this? Grant is the Timber Supply Manager at Hayters Timber & Paving Centre in Narellan, NSW. Grant has tested different grades of ply as backing boards for paving displays outside the shop. These sit outside the store 24/7 365 days a year and the marine ply has lasted no longer than the standard ply. Paint the edges to minimise water and moisture ingress and they both last just as long.
So there you go…Don’t go wasting your money on marine ply! And if you do, go see Grant at Hayters Timber & Paving centre so as he can talk you out of it. If you still want marine ply though, I’m sure he’ll gladly take your extra money to put towards his next adventure haha!
For further reading, here’s a few links that Grant turned up on the web. Thanks for all your efforts mate!
http://glen-l.com/designs/hankinson/plywoodbb.html –
http://sharpplywood.com.au/Facts-About-Plywood-pg17485.html –
http://www.woodworkforums.com/f187/plywood-vs-marine-plywood-104571 –
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5 Comments
Harry Fisher
May 06, 09:12JW
May 06, 15:11Alex Garner
May 09, 12:04Grant
September 19, 19:32BW
March 12, 08:25