Baltic Birch

Info/Disclaimer

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If you are expecting 1/8"(3mm) Baltic Birch that is as flat as MDF, then this is NOT it.  However, if you are looking for very reasonably flat sheets that are good for lasering, look no further.  For everyone, that have purchased from us or communicated with us in the past, please trust us when we say that this is a good product.  We wouldn't sell it if we wouldn't or haven't used it ourselves.  For this current batch, I literally sat EVERY sheet on the table to see how flat it was and see if it was a "good" sheet by our standard.  That was 1,950 sheets and several hours.

 

We are now stocking 1/8"(3mm) Baltic Birch again.  Please know that 1/8" material is PRONE to warping.  It is actually HIGHLY likely that it warps.  Baltic birch is composed of 3 layer or plies of Birch veneer.  This means the all three layers have would grain and can warp due to change moisture levels.  This is also why we carry MDF core materials.  They tend to be much flatter overall due to the MDF core. 

 

Please keep in mind that 1/8" material especially Baltic is very pliable.  Warps can normally be easily removed with hold down pins and when attached to other layers usually flattens out easily.  Each box will contain a piece of 1/8" MDF for cutting hold down pins.  The file can under our help section.

 

We try our best to quickly look over the sheets and remove ones that are heavily warped (normally ones that are twisted and standing on opposite corners).  I quickly perform a "flat table test" on most of the sheets that look "weird."  If the material lays on the table flat or fairly flat(maybe a corner slightly lifted), it is deemed a good sheet.  Fairly flat sheets are sheets that may need up to 4 hold down pins to achieve a perfectly flat to tray sheet but usually already has most of the sheet flat on the table. 

 

As for the sheets that aren't up to our "flat table test" standards, we will list them in the discount section for a reduced price.

 

Here is an article about Baltic Birch.  I'll also post an excerpt about laser cutting and Baltic in particular.

 

https://www.woodworkerssource.com/blog/woodworking-101/tips-tricks/your-ultimate-guide-to-baltic-birch-plywood-why-its-better-when-to-use-it/

 

7. It’s Just the Thing for Laser Cutting and Engraving

It’s one of the few types of wood that can come in large enough sheets and yet be consistently dense through its thickness to be cut with a laser. Anything from parts for architectural models to artwork to schmaltzy engraved knick-knacks.

The downside is that 1/8″ and 1/4″ thick Baltic birch can’t stay perfectly flat. It does cup or warp. It’s not because it’s bad plywood but just an effect of the size. It’s thin and wide. Not a good combo for getting wood to lay flat.

So what do you do? Make a frame or jig that presses it flat and fits your laser cutter. Sometimes all you need is to tape it down to a piece of MDF.