Finishing Baltic Birch in different stain colors

[harrisg]

I really like using Baltic Birch in 1/8th and 1/4". It's easy to cut, doesn't splinter and will accept small frets. My question has to do with segmentation and some other processes where the wood is different colors. I know different woods have differerent grains, but instead of getting different species of wood, how would using BB with different stains look? All those in favor, raise your hands. Those against, how come?

[CanadianScroller]

Well I am going to raise my hand because I like the idea, I will however let the segmentation experts fill in the details.

[AuDust]

You may have problems...any contouring you do to give the project depth will most likely sand thru the top ply into the substrate exposing the glue line. Inner plies also may be a different wood species.

[SharonW0111]

I love BB it accepts any stain very well but ad is right the layers wont all stain the same ..close but --you could still tell it- try doing a piece and experiment with it - can't hurt and you can pass on the results to us --
Sharon

[Back2Jake]

Using Baltic Birch, stains and segmentation

I use Baltic Birch in several complex segmentation projects. Since my technique doesn't require the shaping and contouring found in intarsia, I rely on the stains to add depth to my work.

If you want an example of stains on baltic birch, visit Chrestensen Burghout Designs art page, and look at "Looking Back". She's baltic birch (with the exception of the mirror) and is only 2 colours of stain.

So yes, I am in favor and recommend it!

[Neal Moore]

Baltic Birch Segmentation

As Toni said, Baltic Birch will work and her work proves that. The only drawback for me is that I use 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness and incorporate a lot of relief in the portraits I do. The stained edges become very apparant in the segments that are raised and I don't like the plies to be visible. Ii's really a matter of choice though so if you like the results you get with BB go for it!! There are no hard and fast rules for doing segmentation and I think everyone does it a little differently, sort of following their own imagination and creativity. That's why I like it so much....If you do three projects from the same pattern they will each be "one of a kind".

[Old Mooner]

I agree with Neal (God forbid). Segmentation is usually done in such a way that the edges of the sawn wood will show and are most often stained. Plywood, to no one's surprise, has "plys" and those layers are not the same wood nor hardness as the surface. Therefore, they will not stain uniformly and have a tendency to sometimes look goofy if left to show. If you do not "raise" the segments very much and need very little depth, then I suppose plywood (BB in this case) will "work". My opinion.
Moon