Marine plywood off-cuts for washboards

[rex_seadog]

Does anyone know where I can obtain sufficient marine ply to make new washboards? I live near Birmingham and the local suppliers will, understanably, only supply full sheets. I need two pieces about 22 x 11 inches, ideally 3/8inch thick although it may now have to be 10mm which is a bit on the thick side. The boat is down in Totnes and I would have thought that boat repairers would have had some off-cuts but so far I've drawn a blank.

In the past I have used exterior grade ply (in fact salvaged from old packing cases) and with the edges epoxied this performed well. However, 2 years ago the exterior grade that I bought was full of voids and despite going to enormous trouble in trying to fill these from the edge with what seemed like a gallon of resin they have now started to delaminate. I'm told by the wood yard that there was a dodgy load of plywood coming from China at about that time with the core made of floor sweepings.

 

[Tranona]

If you can't get ply, consider having them made from Acrylic or Polycarbonate. A local signmaker can machine them up for you and they will be similar price to good ply - and no more varnishing or rot!

 

[colind3782]

Coincidentally, I walked in to our local timber merchants today asking for an offcut of 12mm ply to make a replacment washboard and the yard guy even cut the piece to to the rough size for me to finish. Total price £4.08.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Robbins Timber sell marine ply in 1/4 sheets. Price list available below. They do delivery. The marine ply is manufactured to a standard. All the information is on the web site. Reliable company with a good reputation.

http://www.robbins.co.uk/pdf/Marine_Pricelist.pdf

 

[northwind]

Baltic birch is also worth considering, its hardwood, void free and the glue is waterproof.

You can stain to a colour of your choice...

 

[rex_seadog]

Many thanks for all the suggestions - several leads to follow.

 

[waterbuffalo]

Have you tried Wheelers Timber in Erdington?

http://www.wheelerstimber-builders.co.uk/

 

[Slycat]

Anyone got a similar link for Belfast ?

 

[dgadee]

Anyone got a similar link for Belfast ?

Ray Graham's in newtownards has marine plywood. Grumpiest place in Uk - they are trained never to smile.

 

[SAMYL]

Ray Graham's in newtownards has marine plywood. Grumpiest place in Uk - they are trained never to smile.

I would agree with that..............

 

[oldbilbo]

I have scores of clear Baltic birch sheet offcuts, 3mm by 1200 by ( typically ) 300mm from a furniture manufacturer. Don't ask why....

This is good stuff, and will do your washboards if you epoxy-glue several together. You're welcome to collect, free, what you need for the job when next you're passing near Bath.

 

[reeac]

My Sadler 29's washboards are marine ply but the lower edge of the bottom one has a strip of solid teak [I think] attached presumably as that will be better able to cope with sitting in residual water in wet conditions. After 24 years it looks fine.