backing board

[125 CSL]

Just interested in what everyone else is using as backing board.

Right now I am using a 3 ply hardwood plywood. Light weight and strong, but I always end up with some chip out.

[Rob]

I was lucky to find some 3mm MDF (1/8th inch or so I guess) at the recycling centre and bought a load of it for $10 but am starting to run out now.

Rob

[bandaideman]

Nice buy Rob. I use 1/8 or 1/16 inch ply light on one side and darker on other. chip out is an issue so slow and easy is good and stack if doing a bunch of the same thing.  I got a bunch from a friend who had it and gave me a bunch of 3x3 foot squares and I too am running out so will be looking for something. I will be moving soon I hope if the house sells and will wait until I can check out the new area. 

[dgman]

It depends on the look I'm after. If the backer board is going to be painted, I will use 1/8" Baltic Birch plywood. Quite often I will use 1/4" hardwoods to get the color I'm looking for.

[kmmcrafts]

For color I had been using foam sheet backers.. sheets at the hobby / crafts stores are typically $1 a sheet.. I can cut with scissors.. I typically use this on portraits cut from 1/8 ply.. I also use it on wall plaques / signs but cut from thicker wood.. as the foam doesn't really add any stability to the piece like another piece of painted wood backer would.. 

Not a big fan of painting backers.. while they look nice.. I just don't like cluttering up my shelves with assorted colors of paints.. and there is always that one person that wants a oddball color that you don't have on hand and may never use again, LOL.. I've gotten to a point lately that I only use contrasting plywoods for backers.. But that said I really do like the look of some projects that are painted and have considered the whole painting plywood backers.. Would be cheaper for my projects as I can paint quite a lot of BB ply for the cost of a sheet of walnut ply like I have been doing..

  

[Lucky2]

What I generally use, is 1/8" birch plywood. Not the Baltic Birch, just regular everyday birch plywood. Sometimes I'll use !/8" oak, but only if it makes the project look better.

Len

[amazingkevin]

6 hours ago, 125 CSL said:

Just interested in what everyone else is using as backing board.

Right now I am using a 3 ply hardwood plywood. Light weight and strong, but I always end up with some chip out.

What ever i have on hand ,cabinet backer ,thin wood etc

[lawson56]

I myself use 1/4 birch plywood. I use to use black poster board,wasn't strong enough.

[Tommy Johnson]

I use the 1/4" or 1/2" Baltic Birch depending on the thickness of the piece I'm putting it on. 

[Scrappile]

I use flat black poster paper most the time.

[heppnerguy]

I use many items that are listed above, additional info would probably just be more confusing, so i would suggest you give some of these a try and then use the one you enjoy the best for you. All above work

 

Dick

heppnerguy