[DesertRatTom]

BB ply is great stuff because it has so many layers, each going crosswise to layer above and below. So it tends to stay flat. It also doesn't have any unfilled gaps the you discover later.

It comes in 5x5 sheets for the real stuff. There is an American made brand called Applewood ply that comes in 4x8 sheets.

For some projects the better quality "maple" surfaced ply at Home Depot is more than adequate, but it doesn't have as many layers and does have the internal voids. But for your use, it should be OK. You can buy smaller sized sheets, but take a straight edge with you to make sure it is still flat. Their precut sheets tend to be warped.

I must warn you that once you start using real, imported BB ply, you won't like working with the ordinary stuff.

The big thing about a shooting board is that you have really straight 45 and 90 degree angles on the holding pieces. Take great care in getting these angles just right. Be fussy.

 

[DesertRatTom]

Things can and do go south fast in woodworking. Ask me how I know. LOL. What kind of plane are you planning to use in it?

 

[DesertRatTom]

I went with Wood River planes. I have a #4 and #6. But I think a 4 1/2 is a better basic plane. I have a nice Stanley block plane I use more than any other. The whole plane game is about how you sharpen the iron (blade). It important to flatten the back side of the blade first, then sharpen to beveled side. Out of the box, most planes are not really that sharp.

I love the sound a plane makes as it slices through hard wood. I sometimes use the #6 to flatten or straighten a slightly warped chunk of wood. It is helpful especially for dimensional hardwoods from the big box stores. Faster than firing up a jointer

Glad your shooting board turned out well.

 

[DesertRatTom]

I haven't bought any 5x5 BB ply for awhile, but still have three 18mm sheets covered in the garage, plus some smaller pieces of 12 mm. Once I started using it, I've seldom used 4x8 ply, unless there will be a face frame to cover up the voids.

 

[DesertRatTom]

I was in WoodCraft Orlando this morning and saw the 3/4" BB 30x48" was $89.00.
I stopped by Home Depot on the way home and got some A/B pine for my project.

For me, regular ply can be OK, I just usually put a hardwood edge on it. I do like the HD, 3/4 maple faced ply. Lots of layers and not filled with strands of bamboo. But it's not cheap either these days.