: Hello Paul! The chunk of 1/4" (6mm, really) Baltic birch has
: been working perfectly for this application; it's plenty stiff
: even when used with a couple sawhorses or roller stands for
: support; the grain is very fine and I never give a thought to
: its direction; the veneers are satisfyingly thick (one of the
: reasons I like Baltic birch); and it's cheap enough when you
: consider what you're getting. It responds to sanding very
: readily on both faces and edges for snag-free cloth wrangling.

: I didn't plan this in advance, just had the half-sheet laying
: around when I was facing a big cloth cutting session, and was
: trying to think up an easier way. The piece of plywood and
: rotary cutter are now very near completing a third boat, and
: both are still in primo condition; the cutter still cuts
: perfectly, and the wood make a splendid cutting board.

I use MDF for this, has no grain to worry about.

Bill H.