Light Plywood

Devoman · 02-04-2006, 02:01 PM

I am wondering if anyone knows where I could purchase this plywood that Airstream uses?What is this stuff actually called?
It is the wood they made the cabinets and such for mine.
Thanks.

Chaplain Kent · 02-04-2006, 02:07 PM

Have you tried contacting the factory and asking what it is called and where you can purchase it?

Devoman · 02-04-2006, 02:22 PM

No not yet.I thought I could get a faster answer through here.

**CanoeStream** · 02-04-2006, 02:24 PM

I think 'Pahaska' John Irwin has mentioned the name before... Might try PM'ing him.

markdoane · 02-04-2006, 03:03 PM

Try asking for Poplar plywood. It comes with various veneers. I may also be called furniture panel plywood, or even 'Lightweight' plywood.

Poplar is a softwood that makes a light but sturdy core. I'm pretty sure you can get it (in limited sizes and thickness) at HD.

Tarheel · 02-04-2006, 03:12 PM

Mine has 1/4" 5MM ply for the cabinet bottoms it is oak and can be purchased anywhere. Yours is probably Ash as thats what they have been using for the last several years. Match the stain and you will be in business.

02-04-2006, 03:36 PM

Take a look at www.winwood-products.com. This in Poplar ply thats about 40% lighter than regular ply.

Over59 · 02-04-2006, 03:56 PM

Veneer core plywood likly. Being were you live it should be easy to get the stuff in a wide variety of face veneer, ie ash, teak, ect. Google it.

SmokelessJoe · 02-04-2006, 04:13 PM

Devoman:

This is probably what you are looking for. Balsa Plywood.

try www.noahsmarine.com

Sergei

3Ms75Argosy · 02-04-2006, 04:25 PM

there was an article in Dwell magazine about a house that used this material extensively through their house. Per the article, theatre houses use it to make props, as it's lighter than normal ply. Here's the link to my local distributer.
http://www.comptonlbr.com/ look under "building materials" for lite-ply. They have a hyperlink that lists it's weights for various thicknesses. It's also bendible in thinner thicknesses.
Marc

TomW · 02-04-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over59

Veneer core plywood likly ...

That's what mine is in my vintage Airstream. The kicker is finding it in a thickness that will match any Airstream-provided extrusions you may be using.

FWIW, my cherry veneer plywood is 3/16" thick.

Tom

LRPorter · 08-22-2006, 09:13 PM

I am a woodworker and have read and studied the available plywood. The strongest and perhaps the easiest to work with is Baltic birch. It is stronger than the plywood they use in the Argosy and will take stain beautifully. It costs a little more but it is worth it. The stuff in my Argosy is quite cheap and appears to be luan. Lu-an splinters and has a very thin veneer. Woodcraft usually stocks 1/4" Baltic birch and I can get it at my local small town lumber yard. Try it you will like it.

uwe · 08-22-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devoman

I am wondering if anyone knows where I could purchase this plywood that Airstream uses?What is this stuff actually called?
It is the wood they made the cabinets and such for mine.
Thanks.

I tried to find the lightest plywood in 1/4 in when shopping for materials for the 63 Overlander. As it turns out, the weight savings at this thickness are minimal. You might save 20-30lbs on the entire interior paneling.
The difference between oak, maple and birch in the 1/4in size is negligable.
Italian Poplar light ply is definitely the lightest variety that still has a nice look to it.