Balsa Plank

[Garf]

I have acquired a balsa plank 2"X3"X36". I want to turn this into profile fuselages around 1/2" thick. What type of saw would work best for this?

[Clint Ormosen]

What type of saw would work best for this?

A sharp one.

Probably a band saw or hobby table saw.

[Alan Hahn]

Resawing for something like this would be a bandsaw--to minimize the material lost--also most 10" table saws might have a problem with a 3" depth of cut (I think mine would). Of course you need to set it up right (blade vertical and keeping the thickness as constant as possible so you don't end up wasting just as much wood in sanding the cut side to a flat surface.

At least that is what I would do.

However be aware that as soon as you slice off a 1/2" inch piece, the internal stresses, now released might just cause the slice to bow. If you make 3 1/2"+waste slices, then the internal one would perhaps be the best bet.

[FLOYD CARTER]

These days, I make my own balsa "sticks"  (like spars, etc.) from plank.  Had poor luck using a table saw, even with a thin blade.  Seems the extra friction from the blade causes the balsa to warp badly.  Have had the best luck with a band saw and an adjustable fence.  I use a very fine tooth blade of 1/2" width.

It's amazing how much money you can save  by sawing your own pieces!

Floyd in OR

[Larrys4227]

I have a table-top Dremel scroll saw that I've cut several Flight Streak 1/2" fuses with. They came out great! My dad bought it many moons ago for modeling and had been sitting in the basement unused for years.  My mom packed it up and shipped it to me several months ago.  I did have a problem finding blades for it, but finally prevailed.  I think it was 3" that I needed, and the most common is 4 and 5".

Go to the link below for pics of one of the fuses:
http://www.pbase.com/lakebiker/flitestreak_rev2

I have also have a stand alone 12" bandsaw, but I use that for harder woods, or for rough cutting.

Hope this helps ....

FlySafe!  Larry (Larrys4227)

[Wayne Collier]

ChainSaw Buddy!! Get a "Husky" with a 3/8" curf and only one drag between the cutters!!!!

[Brad B]

Bandsaw with a wood slicer re-saw blade from highland woodworking.  Best re-saw blade available.  They aren't cheap, but worth every penny.  I have used mine to re-saw everything from Balsa to Lacewood.  Works like a champ!!!!!


B

[Bill Sawyer]

Most table saw blades take out a 1/8 inch thick kerf. The heat will cause the pieces to warp. Any table saw will cut it by turning the wood over end for end and making a cut from each side. A band saw properly set up with a fence will work well but freehand cutting can result in such an uneven cut the loss of wood is as great as a tablesaw.

[Jim Kraft]

I clamp a piece of angle iron to the table of my bandsaw for a fence with "C" clamps, and slice off what ever I need. I also use it for cutting ribs for constant cord wings using a ply template tack glued to a block of balsa. I cut out the rib shape on the band saw, and then just turn the block on its side and slice the ribs off like baloney using the angle iron fence.

[Garf]

When the aviation company I used to work for was failing, I had a lot of time to play with the 20" bandsaw they had. I set up a rip fence and cut up pallets about 1/16" thick. I still have some of the wood left, but I no longer have access to the saw. I have to check the one they have where I work now.

[Bryan Higgins]

Garf

I would just save that block for carving top and bottom blocks for fuselages.
And by 1/2" stock for your profiles. 

                                                           Bryan , Happy building

[Brett Buck]

I have acquired a balsa plank 2"X3"X36". I want to turn this into profile fuselages around 1/2" thick. What type of saw would work best for this?

   A bandsaw would probably be best, but a table saw would work. But it makes me cry to hear about a 2x3 block sawed into 1/2" wood that you can get anywhere!

      Brett

[Dan McEntee]

    I have some experience with cutting balsa. I bought 640  2"X12"X36" planks that were the former life preservers from the SS Admiral that used to cruise the Mississippi from the St. Louis river front. I did a lot of research and got all sorts of suggestions ranging from hollow ground circular saw blades to blades for meat saws. I had been to the SIG contest at about the same time, and saw that they used band saws. I had heard that they used special blades that were coated on each side with an abrasive material that sanded the wood as it sawed it, and this eliminated the need for a "set" to the teeth. You have to have some sort of kerf behind the blade or it might bind. I don't think they used these any more. I think most balsa producers use wide band saw blades and then machine sand the wood to proper thickness.
   In short, use a band saw with the widest blade you can use, and then plan on sanding the finished pieces to remove the fuzz from the surfaces. Use a wide , smooth and solid rip fence also.
    I'm down to about 100 or so of the planks, and no, none are for sale!!
    Good luck and have fun,
    Dan McEntee