Tear out on thin ply wood

[timelett]

I was given a bunch of things ply wood pieces ,I noticed tearing on the top and bottom layers ,would it help to treat the wood with something before cutting?

[barb.j.enders]

I would try pre-sanding and then apply tape on top and bottom.  

It could just be lousy plywood for scrolling.

[kmmcrafts]

Are you sanding before you attach a pattern? Where are you getting tear out? near drilling points, around the cutouts or just when peeling off the pattern. These questions might help pinpoint a problem..

I have noticed as my Baltic birch ply sits around and gets some different weather seasons cycled through it gets a bit of raised grain on the surface.. IF I don't pre-sand before applying the pattern then it'll tear off fibers of wood and sometimes are bigger pieces and cause chip out throughout the entire piece but especially bad near cut areas and or drilled areas.. 

This fall I started experimenting with sealing up the plywood as soon as I purchase it.. Not really knowing if it'll help or hinder I also used various finishes.. I've got Polycurlic, Lacquer, and Shellac on several of the pieces just to see how this impacts the plywood and the projects I make with it too..

Might be just the humidity of the Michigan weather but even if I sand a piece and get it ready for a project then get side tracked with a order of something else so set the sanded ply aside for a few weeks I'll have to lightly hit it again with the sander.. so hoping the pre -finishing will at least help with that. So far the sheets I've sanded and finished 5-6 weeks ago is still doing great.. one downside I see so far is I finished both sides and if it's a piece I need to glue a backer to.. well... the glued piece isn't holding all that great like it does with raw bare wood.. so I may have to consider only finishing the top side.  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I think the first thing you need to answer is what type plywood.? Plywood comes in many types. For scrolling many people like to use Baltic Birch or Finish Birch plywood. next tell us where and how it is lifting? I suggest a light sanding before doing any project is always a good idea. I do not recommend sealing the plywood. No need to. This will interfeer when you want to finish it or if you are making a projects that requires gluing. If you are painting and really want to seal it then clear dewaxed shellac would be my choice. Again tell us how and when it is lifting. If because you attached a pattern then you need to change method. Low tack painters tape under the pattern will help or repositonable spray adhesive will help. There are other methods too. 

[Denny Knappen]

It may also be the blade tpi.  Rule of thumb is 3 teeth in contact with the wood at all times.  Maybe use a blade with more teeth per inch (tpi).

[timelett]

It could be the material or the wood has been setting around for some time, I noticed the top ply coming loose on the project I was cutting, can ply wood go bad after sitting around? It never has gotten wet I will sand a sample and see.

Edited November 13, 2025 by timelett

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

3 hours ago, timelett said:

It could be the material or the wood has been setting around for some time, I noticed the top ply coming loose on the project I was cutting, can ply wood go bad after sitting around? It never has gotten wet I will sand a sample and see.

Moisture can do it. Again you do not say what type plywood. But moisture and temp changes cam delaminate plywood. As well as grade of BB plywood. There has always been talk in the woodworking community that BB coming out of China is a poor grade. Storing properly will help but nothing is full proof. 

[timelett]

Not being able to tell what I have, I can only guess if it is good quality ply or cheap stuff,I am working on a project from Steve Goods patterns, by the way is their a way to donate to his site without going through pay pal? For the face I will use half in hard maple and purple heart on another part.Making the butterfly clock.

[Scrappile]

Could be Baltic Birch, there are different grades of BB and I am finding it very hard to obtain the best grades anymore.

[Hudson River Rick]

@Scrappile

You are absolutely correct on your statement about BB plwood.  I just bought a bunch of it and itis real junk compared to what I bout 3 years ago.  Makes you wonder if it really is BALTIC BIRCH, or some loacl made knockoff.

Rick

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, Hudson River Rick said:

@Scrappile

You are absolutely correct on your statement about BB plwood.  I just bought a bunch of it and itis real junk compared to what I bout 3 years ago.  Makes you wonder if it really is BALTIC BIRCH, or some loacl made knockoff.

Rick

 

As I mentioned if the BB comes out of China the grade is usually bad. Knowing where it comes from sometimes is difficult. They do not put their little stickers on each sheet. Another plywood that gets confused with BB is VietNam plywood. Looks like BB but has thinner top layers and more voids. Find a reputable company and stay with them. I have no idea about this other wood you guys talk about used for lasers. price will tell you if good quality. Again I use Oochoo woods. 

[timelett]

Many thanks for the replies, I may have some of the mdf plywood in with the stuff,but I learned a lot about materal,in just asking.I will try some from Oochoo on a future project, not sure if there is any other suppliers around Ft.Wayne Indiana. 

[Scrappile]

49 minutes ago, timelett said:

Many thanks for the replies, I may have some of the mdf plywood in with the stuff,but I learned a lot about materal,in just asking.I will try some from Oochoo on a future project, not sure if there is any other suppliers around Ft.Wayne Indiana. 

Just so you have no problem finding the website it is Ocooch Hardwoods....   https://ocoochhardwoods.com

[Hudson River Rick]

I'm with J. T. on this subject.  I recently ordered more 1/8 inch BALTIC BIRCH plywood from Ocooch Hardwoods.  The material is much better than most other suppliers that I have used, and the company service is better than any other.

Rick