Hi ,

I need to aquire good balsa wood for plan building .
I live in north/central Manitoba and really don't have the greatest of options , to buy quality balsa wood ...

I'm willing to buy from the U.S.(seeing how the Canadian $ is doing so well) .
Just wondering who specializes in balsa ?

Thanks

Rob, Sigmfg.com is a good place.
I also like http://www.lonestar-models.com/ and recommend them as well.
Lone Star is also a great sponser of this site.

Control line planes really benefit from light building and light construction materials. This said, when you can spare the weight in some areas or applications, Tower Hobbies served me well with some inexpensive bundles.

The biggest problem with finding 'good wood' is being able to select it yourself and buying from the sources I have just mentioned it simply is not possible when ordering by post.

Good wood is also dependant on what the seller has in stock and has himself been supplied with. Balsa varies so very widely in both density and grain that it is a crapshoot  for the suppliers. This means that at any given time, one supplier will have better stock that the rest  and that can change in a days time as supplies are sold.
Specifying contest grade is of course the best way to go to get the lighter pieces but then some of the light stuff will be spongy and structually useless. These can be best used as  blocks for cowls and wingtips.

Robert

I think Lones Star is either real low or out as my present order for Wing Skins and some other balsa can't be filled till the end of October. The plywood I ordered was shipped.

I like Lone Star. I've also had pretty good luck with National Balsa.

The other thing I do is haunt the local craft stores. They usually have a balsa rack and the little old ladies there don't seem to care if I pick through a relieve them of all the 4 lb balsa that show up. It's worth the trip 6 or 8 times a year.   

Hi randy,

We do have a crafts shop here and they do carry balsa, ply and bass wood.  Occasionally some light stuff comes through and I scarf it up.  I have found quite a bit of 6-6.5 wood which works well in some areas!  the 4-5 lb rarely shows up.............

http://www.lonestar-models.com/

I am looking to buy some balsa wood.  Has Lone Star gone away?  the web site does not work.

Robert's "on line" Hobby Shop sells wood.

Bet it's the contest quality that Robert uses himself. A guess.

Robert's "on line" Hobby Shop sells wood.

Bet it's the contest quality that Robert uses himself. A guess.

Somebody (?) I know bought balsa through "Stunthanger Hobby" and said it was shipped direct from Bud Nosen (Las Vegas area). Bud Nosen sold wood through hobby shops for years, but quit selling to retailers to concentrate on cutting kits of all sorts. Nice wood!  National Balsa is also a very good source.  Steve   

Well I am starting my next year project now (the lost beam wing) all from 1/16 wood and I am using SH hobby 3.9 pound wood. 7 grams per 1/16 x3 x 36 so I guess we have good wood.