Teak Faced ply.

[Guest]

Fancy trying my hand at some (not) fancy butt jointed and thoroughly bodged joinery this winter. In order to do this properly I feel it only right that I should butcher some expensive, teak or similar faced ply. And 'ere's my dilemma despite reading about this stuff, mentioned casually in loads of 'I made my own super yacht for £15' articles, my local B and Q just don't stock it...

Anyone know of a supplier in the Northwest?

While I'm on the subject I saw some really fancy biscuit jointed MDF joinery on Changing Rooms tonight, maybe that'd save me some money?

ta

Tony

 

[Viking]

MDF is not really suitable for 'boat-work' its not that water-proof 'marina-ply' or 'WPB ply' is best.
I dont know any suppliers in the north-west. but any good timber merchants (yellowpages) should be able to get it for you. You can use the 'biscuit' joint on ply as well. Find a good timber merchant they will give you lots of good advise.

 

[dickh]

I endorse what viking has said, another good supplier is Robbins Timber in Bristol who do mail order. A bit expensive but good quality ply. - www.robbins.co.uk
Good Luck!


dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[alex_rogers]

I've ordered wood from Robbins in the past and the service was very good. All came by post within a few days.

 

[ccscott49]

Page and taylors in Preston, have teak faced ply, or will order some for you, if not in stock, plus other exotic timbers, which ever ply you use, remember to seal the cut ends with epoxy, this will save the ply from drawing water/moisture up the grain. For interior work, don't bother with total "marine ply", WBP (water, boil proof) is plenty adequate. IMHO

 

[theia]

F.H Thomson are suppliers of all types of sheet materials. The branch I use is in Gateshead / Newcastle upon Tyne, but I would imagine that they have branches nationwide. They will 'bond' any veneer faced plywood onto any other plywood for a nominal cost. I have used 4mm. Teak & Chery faced plywood bonded onto 9mm. exterior grade plywood on two yachts now. 8' x 4' teak faced plywood from marine suppliers equates to about £120 per sheet. Same from Thomsons equates to about £25 - £30 including bonding.
PS. I'm told that you can get marine grade MDF but I've never tried it.

 

[boatone]

BoatsOnTheWeb and Boaters Photo Gallery

 

[DeLam]

Just one small but important point. Beware the difference between
faced and veneered ply. The veneer ply only has a very thin
layer of actual wood (Hence veneer) while faced has the outer ply of the wood.
This provides a much harder wearing surface. BUT faced ply is a lot more
expensive. You pay you money etc.

 

[spark]

I don't understand this craze for plywood. It's dreadful stuff to work with, splinters when you saw it, delaminates at the slightest provocation, and is ridiculously expensive. Real wood is much easier to use, makes a much nicer job and is a lot cheapr than marine ply.
T&G redwood floorboards make good solid panels for worktops, floorboards, bulkheads, etc.
Redwood v-lining (9mm or 16mm) is ideal for lighter duty panelling.
DAR (dressed all round) redwood comes in loads of different sizes for framing etc.
All are available from your local timber merchant.
Buy a biscuit jointer from www.axminster.co.uk and you can build just about any structure wthout having to think beyond simple butt joints.

 

[spark]

Oops.
Missed the "teak" bit. Probably because I don't like it down below. Too dark and dismal. If you want teak then you'll have to pay through the nose, even for a measly 1/16" lamination.

 

[Guest]

Thanks one and all. Any alternatice facing materials to teak if it is a bit dull down below?

 

[PBrooks]

An alternative to teak is cherry - looks very nice when oiled or varnished. Whatever you use, be careful when handling or working on it as the veneers are very thin...
As others have said, Robbins are a good source, but one of the bigger (and cheaper?) suppliers is Silvermans - nationwide service, I believe.

Good luck
Paul