1/8 Columbia Forest maple plywood from Home depot much thicker than proofgrade

[KDS]

Anyone who has worked with this plywood would be willing to share settings for cutting this plywood? It is ticker than the proofgrade we buy from GF (not sure why). I purchased it to try it instead of the baltic birch that has the MDF core. This one is pure bond without MDF. Please share any advise. TY

[deirdrebeth]

Previously

5/32 in. Columbia Forest Products PureBond Maple Plywood Settings

Just picked up my order from Home Depot. Here are the settings I used for cutting. Basic Model Speed: 184 Power: 100 (Full) Basic Full Power Focus Height: .138 in or 3.5mm (check you thickness it might vary)

I searched for “columbia”

BTW, it comes in both 1/8" and 1/4" - you sure you’re using the right PG setting?

[KDS]

I know this can’t be 1/4 as I also have that one too. this is probably 4 mm thicker than the 1/8. I am using the GF plus. Can I used the same settings you just share? Sorry, learning as I go.

[jbmanning5]

@KDS

It is ticker than the proofgrade we buy from GF (not sure why).

Because it’s not Proofgrade / a Glowforge material. It’s an independent company marketing a product towards Glowforge owners.

@KDS

try it instead of the baltic birch that has the MDF core.

Baltic Birch doesn’t have an MDF core - ever. It’s multiple layers of veneer (3 for 3mm, 5 layers for 6mm).

@KDS

this is probably 4 mm thicker than the 1/8.

So what’s the actual thickness? Four mm thicker than the 1/8” would be like .275” thick.

[KDS]

I wish I checked my invoice before posting this thread. My order was intended for 1/8, but after checking, I realized I have 1/4. I have to place another order for the 1/8. Sigh! I am sorry for the confusion, but I am at square one now. what is the right setting for cutting 1/4 maple plywood from home depot? Someone gave me the info about baltic birch having an mdf core that is why I went this route. Thanks for clarifying.

[timjedwards]

New material cut test method

Don’t know what settings to use on a material? The only way to be sure is to test. Good news! You can effectively test on a thin strip on the edge of your material, it’s fast and easy. I use this shape to do so (SVG attached): [Material_test] Click here to download/save Or click here for the ZIP: Material_test.zip (3.3 KB) To use: Set the first operation to score (the numbers). You’ll use these to identify your cut pieces later. Set each of the curve shapes to a power/speed combo t…

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[shop]

the columbia forest stuff isn’t 1/8, it’s 3/16. it’s going to take a little more power to cut thru.

[caribis2]

@KDS

I am using the GF plus. Can I used the same settings you just share?

The only setting that is different between machines is Full power. So if you see power 1 - 100, it is the same for all machines. If you see Full power, than that is different between the basic and the pro. For the plus, it depends on when you bought it as originally the plus had a 45W tube (same as the pro), but late last year they announced the plus would be getting the 40W tube (same as the basic.) All the other settings should be the same across all three models.