Material used by Alex Fox in YouTube videos

[mifon1]

Can anyone tell me what kind of material Alex Fox uses to cut his stacked patterns on YouTube? He utilizes different shades (or stains) to achieve the look he needs to make his patterns "pop". Where can they be purchased? Amazon?

Thanks for your help.

 

Mike in TN

[kmmcrafts]

I don't know what Alex uses.. he is in a different country and maybe they have stuff we can't get in the USA? 

That said now that I play with laser engravers / cutters, and CNC routers as well I've learned there is becoming more and more demand for good plywood that isn't just plain old Baltic Birch.. There are project panels from Home Depot that I've used for both scroll sawing and laser work and it's pretty good stuff. This comes in many different species but it's difficult to find it in stock in the online store.. not sure about your area but, my local stores do not carry it in store either so you're stuck with trying to find it in stock online.. is free shipping so that's a bonus. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Columbia-Forest-Products-5-32-in-x-1-ft-x-1-ft-7-in-PureBond-Walnut-Plywood-Project-Panel-10-Pack-5107/312981163 I've always used the 5/32" stuff so I don't know how the 1/4" stuff is.. I would assume it's the same quality as the 5/32 but just wanted to put that out there. 

I've also found that if you search for plywood for laser engraving you'll find all sorts of stuff. Trueflat name you'll see quite a lot and my personal opinion is... I don't care for it.. it's MDF which is nasty to cut on a scroll saw and some of the species is not real it's painted or ? to "look like" the species.. People in the laser community love this stuff but not me.

I found a place in Canada that has some real nice plywood but shipping it to me in Michigan took forever.. but it was really nice plywood.. not sure what the core was made from but then I run across a dealer for some real nice stuff right here in my state.. they have a lot of size options as well as many different species. I ordered a sample pack a month or so ago and this is really good stuff.. may be the same brand as the stuff I found from Canada.. since it was in my state and only about 50-60 mile away it shipped very quickly and they mailed it out like next day. You can find them here: https://creativecutsupplies.com/  I haven't tried the prefinished stuff yet but that might be on my next sample order.. with laser work having it finished keeps the smoke staining around the cut from bleeding into the grain and staining the wood.. once cut you can just wash it with a wet wash cloth and the soot comes right off for a nice finish.. I currently had been spraying my plywood with either lacquer or poly before using it in the laser to keep me from having to sand the stains off the finished cuts. 

Anyway, there are many places to get decent plywood of various species etc. but you kind of have to search for laser plywood. Be nice to find these in full sheets but since most are geared for the laser hobbyist most laser folks use 12 x 19 sheets so most places only offer this size or smaller. Kind of a pain for me since my laser can handle 24 x 30" sheets.. some projects I have to do in multiple stages because I'm limited to the smaller sized sheets. Creative Cut Supplies does have bigger sheets so they may end up being my supplier.. and I can drive that 60 miles to go buy it in bulk to save shipping hopefully. 

[jerry walters]

He uses veneered HDF (High Density Fiberboard) for his layered projects, but he says you can use plywood or hardboards.  I think that is because what he uses is hard to find here.  I have found medium density fiberboard and my local Home Depot, but it is not veneered.  I sent him a message a couple of months ago and he was quick to respond.  I think he probably gets a lot of requests because he sends a nice explanation of his entire process.  I you click on his picture you will find in the top a little envelope.  Click on that and send him a message.  That envelope is his email address.  By doing this only the two of you are involved.  If you have questions don't hesitate to ask.

Jerry Walters

[Scrappile]

I use Baltic Birch Plywood.  Either stain or paint for the color I want.

Edited June 19 by Scrappile

[Denny Knappen]

I use Baltic Birch plywood purchased from Ocooch Hardwoods.