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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Jim Thomerson on September 05, 2009, 10:09:28 AM

Title: Figuring density of balsa sheets.
Post by: Jim Thomerson on September 05, 2009, 10:09:28 AM

I just figured something out which is probably already well known.  I was looking at a chart of balsa densities and weights for various thicknesses of 3 in x 36 in sheet balsa.  I realized that weight of the sheet in oz divided by the thickness of the sheet in inches gives the density in pounds per cubic foot.  For example, 1/8 sheet weighing 3/4 oz is 6 pound balsa.  1/2 in sheet weighing 5 oz is 10 pound balsa, etc.  Easy to do while weighing sheets at the Midwest balsa stash in the local Ace hardware. H^^

Title: Re: Figuring density of balsa sheets.
Post by: Neville Legg on September 06, 2009, 02:47:03 AM

Is Midwest balsa expensive in the US? We have one of those Hobbycraft stores here in England, a huge store selling every kind of hobby stuff you can think of!
The price of their Midwest balsa was ridiculously expensive! I told a punter who was looking at the wood to pop to the other side of town to my local model shop, where the balsa was a third of the price!

Cheers      Neville

Title: Re: Figuring density of balsa sheets.
Post by: Ralph Wenzel (d) on September 06, 2009, 04:37:53 AM

Midwest balsa is truly "Construction Grade", suitable for houses or ocean-going tankers. And  you can get much better prices on lighter wood from Balsa USA, Lonestar, and Nosen.

Title: Re: Figuring density of balsa sheets.
Post by: Neville Legg on September 06, 2009, 05:37:12 AM

This is the only time I've seen Midwest balsa here in the UK, as you say, its very heavy stuff and far too expensive!
We have an Australian supplier of Balsa here, very good quality, and price!


Cheers       Neville

Title: Re: Figuring density of balsa sheets.
Post by: john e. holliday on September 06, 2009, 07:42:59 AM

Not wanting to make an order to Lonestar, I went to the local arts and crafts store.  You get what aqvailable and be happy if you are in a hurry.  The local hobby is almost out of balsa wood.  So next time building gets put on hold til I get an  order in.  DOC Holliday

Title: Re: Figuring density of balsa sheets.
Post by: Neville Legg on September 06, 2009, 12:45:11 PM

I usually get my balsa when  I go to model events, there is one  next weekend at Old Warden aerodrome, as there is C/L, free-flight, and radio flying going on, there are lots of model shops in tents with good quality balsa and hard to come by bits and pieces, so I stock up then!

Cheers       Neville