Best beginning balsa builders blog?

[Tim Wescott]

My wife is pushing for me to help her build, by offering to be my test builder for a build article.

I asked her if she knew what "straight-grained, medium density" meant, and she said "no, but if it were a knitting article there'd be a link to a post on a blog".

So -- anyone know of a good blog that's specifically aimed at beginning builders of balsa planes?  I suggested she ask here, but here response was "and how do I know who's right" -- which is fair, because after all, Sparky lets me answer questions.  Does the AMA have anything?

[JoeJust]

Tim, you have the skill and the talent, write it yourself. With that being offered don't let the article go more than 350,000 words.
Joe

[Tim Wescott]

Tim, you have the skill and the talent, write it yourself. With that being offered don't let the article go more than 350,000 words.
Joe

I'm hoping it's already been done!  Remember the design engineer's creed: never do for yourself when you can shamelessly reuse someone else's work.

[Tim Wescott]

The SIG catalog used to have a few pages at the front as a primer on balsa wood.  You might try it for a reference.

No more.

[Tim Wescott]

And the award for best use of alliteration in a thread title goes to...

 

[Gordon Van Tighem]

Lots of good info here....
http://flyinglines.org/index.html

[Tom Luciano]

Her is the Sig stuff. I had found it helpful

Tom

[Warren Wagner]

Tim,

Don't forget one of the most valuable resources of all....."YouTube".  I frequently start
there for many common issues that I need help with.

Here is a link to a series (13 parts, I believe) with all the basics about building a rubber
powered free flight model.

     https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=building+a+balsa+free+flight+plane

You will find a ton of information in these videos, and I'm sure there are many more similar
videos as well.  Check some of the other ones out.

Cheers.

Warren Wagner
Clay, NY

[Avaiojet]

I have a Build Thread I did some years ago for a model I designed years ago, 2012, called the New American.

Resembles the All American with some changes.

Lots of photos and descriptive text.

From that first piece of balsa to the last coat of dope. 

Here's the link.

https://stunthanger.com/smf/building-techniques/'the-new-american'-build-thread!/

Here's the original New American and the model it became.

[Dan McEntee]

I have a Build Thread I did some years ago for a model I designed years ago, 2012, called the New American.

Resembles the All American with some changes.

Lots of photos and descriptive text.

From that first piece of balsa to the last coat of dope. 

Here's the link.

https://stunthanger.com/smf/building-techniques/'the-new-american'-build-thread!/

Here's the original New American and the model it became.

    You didn't read Tim's original post very well. He wasn't asking for build threads, he's looking for a site or blog that gets technical about balsa and it's properties and variations. You don't mention anything about balsa selection and why, just assemble a plane from a lazer cut pile of parts and an old wing. Nothing about grain, density, or why and where you should each kind.
    Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Tim Wescott]

    You didn't read Tim's original post very well. He wasn't asking for build threads, he's looking for a site or blog that gets technical about balsa and it's properties and variations. You don't mention anything about balsa selection and why, just assemble a plane from a lazer cut pile of parts and an old wing. Nothing about grain, density, or why and where you should each kind.
    Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Building in general, but including info on balsa.  I've met several people who want to get into building, but most of the community of folks who actually build have been doing it forever and just know how in their bones.

And I know from experience that "eh, just build it and see how it breaks!" does not come across as the encouragement that is intended!

[Dane Martin]

Building in general, but including info on balsa.  I've met several people who want to get into building, but most of the community of folks who actually build have been doing it forever and just know how in their bones.

And I know from experience that "eh, just build it and see how it breaks!" does not come across as the encouragement that is intended!

I just started my stuka build thread. But it's from a kit, so I'm not doing anything that specifically addresses the types of wood used. I'm aiming to build it "quick". I guess if there was any specifics I could add, I could do so for you. If that's what you're after.

[Mark Mc]

This page over on the RCG Balsa Builders Forum has a very long list of resources for building in balsa:

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2280159-Balsa-Builders-Forum-Index-Reference-Information-Thread-Links

Mark