stunthanger.com
Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Rob Killick on October 13, 2007, 10:25:39 AM
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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 :)
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http://www.lonestar-models.com/
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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
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Hi Rob,
Good balsa can sometimes be hard to come by, just a warning! Sig, Lonestar and National have all servedx me well. I would say, over the years, I have bought my majority from Riley at Lonestar, but everyone is dependent on the "balsa crop"! Sometimes 4-6 lb wood just isn't out there......... and it is usually in short supply when I have the money to buy some! LOL!!
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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.
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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. ;D
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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. ;D
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.............
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Bill,
It seems every time I go into the local arts and crafts place, I always walk out with at least on piece of really light wood. I got 4 pieces of 3.4lb 1/2 balsa the last time in. The time before out of an entire new shipment (Midwest or Sig), there was only a single piece of 1/16" sheet worth having. I never expect to find anything but am occasionally amazed.
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http://www.lonestar-models.com/
I am looking to buy some balsa wood. Has Lone Star gone away? the web site does not work.
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Yes, it is sad to say Lonestar is no more. Try National Balsa.
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Robert's "on line" Hobby Shop sells wood.
Bet it's the contest quality that Robert uses himself. A guess.
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Robert's "on line" Hobby Shop sells wood.
Bet it's the contest quality that Robert uses himself. A guess.
I bought a decent amount of 1/16th from the "Hobby Shop" for sheeting foam wings which feels good, but I have not weighed it yet.
BIG Bear
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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. H^^ Steve
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I bought enough 1/16th sheeting to do two foam wings from Stunthanger Hobby. It was shipped from Bud Nosen and it is very nice wood!
I also just ordered some wood from National since I need some 1/8th X 4 X 48 and Stunthanger doesn't have that length.
BIG Bear
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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.