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[StarLocAdhesives/FiveStar]

Lite ply sold in model shops all types is poplar plywood, occasionaly balsa ply is sold but i have not seen it for years...sold as Balso ply never as liteply, liteply is rarely other woods such as okume but usualy poplar

DIY shops sell a lightish but heavier plywood but not ever have i seen poplar ply in a diy store in the UK

poplar play is used for most things in caravans and similar but sold with a coated or printed surface for that

Birch ply used to all be 5 ply but now sometimes 3 ply ,available from .4mm to very thick grades, sometimes on thinner grades other non wood laters are added such as paper and on special thicker grades fiberglass in some grades

Liteply usually poplar and usually available in 3mm , 5mm and 6mm...less often in 2mm but available in a very wide range from the manufacturers of it. in our non modelling factory we have liteply in thinnest 1,5mm upto 40mm for the laser cutting company.

Birch ply used to all be waterproof but now is the same as liteply all waterproof but interior grade not exterior as exterior grade can not be laser cut due to toxic glue fumes, its waterproof but not for exterior use, very rare to get exterior grade liteply

When first sold for modelling liteply was often advertised as stronger and lighter than balsa twice its thickness

[glyn44]

Thanks for all this info. I am an avid rc aircraft builder, and flyer. So I have been using lite ply for ages, and yes, they don’t get wet very often, if at all.


In defence of the supplier I linked to I have used them for many years and found all the wood I purchased from them top notch. They will sort out hard, medium, or soft if asked. Their sales, and after sales service are second to none, IMHO.


Reckon I can now sort what to use, and where to use it. Thanks all.