Purchasing Plywood from Individuals???

[karoc]

In our areas I see on CL’s and FB that individual’s are selling bldg materials. Looking at pics they post there are no brand names on plywood such as Georgia-Pacific or any others. The plywood looks like just plain old cdx which is what I need. But I’m afraid that plywood may have come from foreign country so maybe plywood would delaminate. Purchasing from one of these individuals would be big savings or big headache. Guys I’m talking stacks of plywood, someone has lot money ******* in this CL business. What would you do? Here’s pic of plywood

 

[jack stand]

Sometimes there's "2nd's" that an insider might have access to whole units. Look for out of square sheets or for length-width-thickness variations.
I'd hop on it just for CDX sheathing unless any of the above is extreme.

 

[wssix99]

Don't buy it unless there is a grading stamp from APA or another recognized organization: https://inspectusa.com/blog/plywood-grade-stamp-explained/

The stamp will confirm that its structurally legit and uses the proper glues, etc.

 

[jack stand]

I believe that it's stamped during the production process at light speed. It's probably rejected at the plant after discovering a problem after dozens or hundreds of bundles/units are in the yard already. "Salvage" material at this point. It's usually in the trimming of the panels as the glues are delivered by the rail tanker loads.

 

[Wolley]

It looks like southern pine on that top sheet so probably not some chyna spec stuff. Also the UTILITY stamped on the side of the bundle points to it being seconds or rejects. Id say plenty useable at the right price

 

[Renegade1LI]

I would go & look at it, I see a barcode on one bundle, open a skid & see what it looks like. From the pic it looks clean & dry, can't hurt to check it out.

 

[RoninB4]

Be wary of stacks left out in the rain that may have mold growing in them. A decade or two back when there was a shortage of drywall it was imported from China. The Chinese drywall didn't had mold growing in it from the trip across the pond (I presume). There were thousands of houses across America that started developing black mold years later that had to be torn down.

 

[ybnormal]

Utility Grade plywood

UTY grade plywood-(Utility grade,E/F grade) - Plywood Supplier & Manufacturer

www.plywood.cc

The characteristics of UTY grade plywood

(1). Some dead knots, small patches and discoloration exist in face; big patches and discoloration exist in the back
(2). The plywood is not very smooth, usually not sanded . The thickness tolerance is a little bigger.
(3). There are some core gaps .
(4). The prices is lowest .


4.The application of UTY grade plywood

Use where appearance of plywood is not important for interior application as the back of furniture ; for exterior application as building materials , for packing materials such as packing box .

5. The staple market of UTY grade plywood

Small quantity of UTY grade/or similar grade plywood are exported to Europe (EU) , USA, Canada , most of UTY grade plywood are exported to Middle East, Africa and other countries .

 

[nh_yota]

Be wary of stacks left out in the rain that may have mold growing in them. A decade or two back when there was a shortage of drywall it was imported from China. The Chinese drywall didn't had mold growing in it from the trip across the pond (I presume). There were thousands of houses across America that started developing black mold years later that had to be torn down.

I thought the issue with Chinese drywall was the off-gassing of sulfur and other **** they put in it.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I thought the issue with Chinese drywall was the off-gassing of sulfur and other **** they put in it.

I thought so as well. As far as I know we didn’t import that particular problem. The off gassing supposedly played havoc with any copper within the house, appliances included.

 

[nadogail]

If you don't know your Plywood, be sure to buy from a reputable vendor.. if the deal is too good to be true; it probably isn't good or true.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

There used to be a local guy (when I still lived in Pasadena) who sold plywood taken from shipping crates that came from overseas; probably China. They shipped huge bags of orange juice in these crates. It was a full inch thick and many plies. I want to say 10, 12 or more thin plies.

It was heavy as hell and came in about 4x4 ft sizes only. Not sure if he's still around but I used them to make some doors to front existing shelves in my old garage. Never had any issue with them other than their weight. I used 4 very heavy hinges on each door and made SURE not to close one of those doors on my fingers! lol

 

[RoninB4]

I thought the issue with Chinese drywall was the off-gassing of sulfur and other **** they put in it.

-Likely so but my cousin in Sacramento lost his house to black mold (new house) and told me the drywall was the culprit. I may be wrong but that's what I was told and read back then. Not saying anybody that has Chinese drywall is affected, just saying be alert to the possibility of mold in stacks of plywood that may have been left out in the rain, same for lots of materials that don't do well in the rain.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would go & look at it, I see a barcode on one bundle, open a skid & see what it looks like. From the pic it looks clean & dry, can't hurt to check it out.

That's what I would say. You'll only be out a bit of time and gas money.

Check your local CL for something equivalent as some places buy bulk for resale, kind of like outlets for a business. I bought some seconds foil faced foam. The only issue was the foil was tore or had longitudinal axis.

 

[Scotto]

There used to be a local guy (when I still lived in Pasadena) who sold plywood taken from shipping crates that came from overseas; probably China. They shipped huge bags of orange juice in these crates. It was a full inch thick and many plies. I want to say 10, 12 or more thin plies.

It was heavy as hell and came in about 4x4 ft sizes only. Not sure if he's still around but I used them to make some doors to front existing shelves in my old garage. Never had any issue with them other than their weight. I used 4 very heavy hinges on each door and made SURE not to close one of those doors on my fingers! lol

There's someone in Southern NJ who does the same thing - they're like 40"x40" and like 10 or more ply. I made my chicken coop out of the stuff. It did have a weird smell and I wouldn't use it in my home, but it was great for outside and garage stuff.

For the OP, I'd be weary of it being stolen building materials. You see it a lot with romex wiring too on FB Marketplace.
IMO the price at your local lumberyard for plywood is a bargain now compared to what it's been the last 2 years.

 

[cruzer75]

I see these "deals" as well....as much as i want a deal on things i am leery. is their a plywood plant nearby ? then maybe this guy buys from them on the cheap? Pictures all the same? multiple adds? what is their seller rating? Ask lots of questions...
if you are stealing full bundles of plywood you are either strong, the flatbed guy is in on it or you are fast on your forklift!

 

[Meursault74]

I'd be afraid I'd burn my fingers when handling something like that.

 

[Copymutt]

One of my personal best scores was plywood roofing from a BIA demolition contractor. He stashed everything from sinks, toilets, lumber, copper, roofing etc. The plywood had been stored on a canyon rim in stacks 4’ tall. The middle of the stack was protected. I purchased 40 sheets for $3.00 ea. After making end walls for a commercial green house I have a lifetime of great kindling & happy to have it. Always been in the back of my mind to make picture frames or other novelties out of the interesting knotty pieces.

 

[RPH]

I worked in an industry that moved metal parts globally. The plywood crates go from small to huge. Most of the ones that do get broken down are in the 24” to 36” range. Actually the crates became a problem at most plants. The fill dumpsters quickly and require labor to break down. With that said I’ve seen 5 ply and 7 ply inch thick pieces getting scrapped. Had a place up here before Covid sold pieces for a buck a piece, 24” x 48”.

 

[mcbane]

In our areas I see on CL’s and FB that individual’s are selling bldg materials. Looking at pics they post there are no brand names on plywood such as Georgia-Pacific or any others. The plywood looks like just plain old cdx which is what I need. But I’m afraid that plywood may have come from foreign country so maybe plywood would delaminate. Purchasing from one of these individuals would be big savings or big headache. Guys I’m talking stacks of plywood, someone has lot money ******* in this CL business. What would you do? Here’s pic of plywood

It depends what you want to use it for and what the price is. I bought 1/2" CDX seconds for $1/sheet, to use as shimming material. It had been made with a bad batch of glue. So even though it had all of the official APA ink on it, it was not structurally sound. Several sheets delaminated just while trying to load them in my truck - the plywood plant was kind enough not to charge for those sheets.

 

[karoc]

Point well taken guys, I don’t believe it’s stolen cause it’s place of business plus sheriffs dept checks on these kind of ads. But the plywood be use for roof decking and at my age no more do overs. Thanks for all input

 

[bb29510]

I worked in an industry that moved metal parts globally. The plywood crates go from small to huge. Most of the ones that do get broken down are in the 24” to 36” range. Actually the crates became a problem at most plants. The fill dumpsters quickly and require labor to break down. With that said I’ve seen 5 ply and 7 ply inch thick pieces getting scrapped. Had a place up here before Covid sold pieces for a buck a piece, 24” x 48”.

we hhad some equipment from germany, in the huge wooded plywood. we loaded a gooseneck ten feet flat to take to the hunting camp, guy at a gas station offer $4000 for the plywood, Boss sold it and delivered it, it was the good plywood, one inch thick, no cut patches or nailes, most of it was 6x10 sheets