It is unfortunate that substandard products find their way to market. From a woodworker's perspective, it is a shame that we end up with sheet goods that do not meet expected standards. I would think aside from making a profit, that these economies would want to establish a reputation for quality. Having a poor reputation is worse than not having one at all.

Anyway, I am glad you were able to recover your investment, but you still lost time and effort in this transaction. I guess paying $70 a sheet for good sheet goods looks pretty good given the options.

Dalec

 

Don't burn it! It might contain lead….

 

Hi Dadoo,

Thanks for the post. I just bought some maple plywood at Home Depot for 46.88 a sheet. I looked at it but couldn't seen any tag on it. I suspect that it is the same thing that you bought at Lowe's. I will watch it and see if it develops the problems that you had.

But at least you got good service at Lowe's. A lot of stores would not have credited you with the cut sheet.

 

Don't feed it to your dog! It might contain melamine…

 

I have a similar story of "Birch Plywood" that I bought from my local orange box. A 2'x4' sheet cost me $15 and some change. After I cut it to the dimensions I wanted, it just curled up like a potato chip! I have jut about resigned myself to using heavy carcinogenic MDF

Incidentally, I bought the more expensive birch plywood from one of the wood working supplies chain. The 20"x30" sheet I bought looked worse than the other and the cuts were badly chipped. Luckily, they have remained usable.

I have to say, quality plywood is pretty much unavailable or extremely expensive. I just hope that the smega stores get the message and stop carrying junk.

 

Wow Dadoo, that sucks more than a dust collector. A huge thanks for letting us know. Use it to make a satellite dish… no shaping involved. Or maybe one of those modern one-piece chairs? Or maybe an outfeed table for my tortoise shell table saw?

 

Thanks for the warning!

 

First, shame on me, I knew better after reading horror stories about this stuff. Now I've used exactly one sheet of this crap and I will do without before using it ever again. Trouble is, I bought it from my "real" cabinet supply company. Sheesh! Apparently shame is in shorter supply than crappy plywood.

always,
J.C.

 

once again. proof that really cheap is usually expensive.

 

Motthunter is correct.

If you want nice fresh oats you have to pay the price. If you wants oats that have already been through the horse they are much cheaper.

 

GOOD Posting it is definitely worthwhile knowledge to share with all
- Thanks

 

I'm pretty sure that Lowes and Home Depot only carry China plywood now. I only use the stuff for shop projects now. I buy the $100+ plywood for other projects at my local hardwood supply house. Maybe we should start a write in campaign to see if we can get HD or Lowes to bring in some quality lumber?

 

I like what Mr. Herron said about getting our local discount hardware stores to stock some better quality, cabinet grade ply. Unfortunately if they switch over the better quality stuff they no longer are a discount hardware and Wally World will edge them out as they have all the other small speciality sotres. Personally I can't afford expensive stuff. I guess this ply may be OK for small projects that do not have long sheets that can twist or curl. I also noticed that the finished layer is very thin. "Do Not" sand should be stamped on it. Any sanding of this ply will burn right through the outer layer and leave a fatal blemish only suitable for painting.

 

Chinese plywood is also sneeking into sheathing grade plywood for floors, construction etc. It's also complete garbage.+

 

I can't believe the things they market as "select, cabinet grade, and A/C" at those big box scores. I go there and their select plywood had at least 5 places where they cutout the veneer and replaced it. They didn't even try to match the veneer either. on half of them the repairs grain was running in the opposite direction. It's a shame.

 

We have a place here in my town called Sommerville plywood, when I need a good piece of plywood this is where I go. I haven't had any problems with them yet…

 

living in the city stinks because i have to get that big store plywood. also when i want any hardwoods other than the average Mahog, Cherry, Maple, Poplar, and Oak I have to special order it from a lumberyard in NH. I haven't tried their plywood yet but i hope to someday. I'm sick of what these big box stores sell as select for anything wood related. It's a disgrace.

 

"Made in China" plywood has me really perplexed - it's an extremely heavy product - how could it possibly be economical to ship wood across the Pacific and truck it all over North America? The only thing I can think of is that there must be a lot of pollution in the cheap production of plywood and the regulations in the USA and Canada must be prohibitive.

 

I sent a complaint to HD about the plywood and they are sending me a $20 gift certificate. Maybe if all 6,000 lumberjocks sent in a complaint every few weeks HD would get tired of handing out $120,000 in gift certificates and bring in some decent plywood.

 

Hi Dadoo;

Kind of intentionally misleading how they have Samling USA, LLC.

This is just the name of the Limited Liability Corporation.

Sorry to hear about your wasted time, and cabinets that warped on you.

Lee

 

I keep pleading with everybody to vote with your wallets.
You cant convince the "big guns" that they are hurting you unless you hurt them. That's why they call them the Borg.
When the sales drop off you will get their attention- not until.

Bob

 

I agree with Dave Herron. I had a bad experience at Lowes (and i mean really bad) and they sent me a 50$ gift card. Thats how i got my brad nailer.

 

i agree with bob #2 , they only speak one language . numbers

 

I've been spoiled having a great hardwood/plywood place close in Reno. I have heard the main problem with the Chinese plywood is moisture content. They are in such a hurry to make a shipment they don't dry out the layers uniformly. They also use inferior glues. Wallets say it in volumns.

 

I agree with Bob#2, that the money talks. Problem is in a lot of areas you may not have other alternatives. Then what do you do?

Luckily here we have a hardwood company that carries plywood as well. Their stuff is good, and what I usually buy. And, of all things, their shop grade Oak plywood is actually cheaper than HD or Lowe's.