News:



  • July 09, 2025, 11:58:06 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: Balsa Density Calculator  (Read 4075 times)

Offline eric rule

  • 2017
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Commander
  • *
  • Posts: 287
Balsa Density Calculator
« on: November 14, 2015, 02:30:25 PM »
Recently found on line a neat balsa density calculator. Although I am sure most of you already have something like this some may not so I have added the web site link.

http://www.nclra.org/Programs/BalsaDensity.php

Offline Mark Scarborough

  • 2015
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 5918
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2015, 09:42:12 PM »
some smart guy needs to build an app for this calculator,, so we can carry it with us on our phone!
For years the rat race had me going around in circles, Now I do it for fun!
EXILED IN PULLMAN WA
AMA 842137

Offline RC Storick

  • Forum owner
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 12568
  • The finish starts with the first piece of wood cut
    • Stunt Hangar
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2015, 06:29:43 AM »
Not to take away from Eric's thread but this link and many other have been on the useful downloads page sense 2009

http://stunthanger.com/smf/download-area/balsa-density-calculator/

Many useful links like convert and airfoil etc..
AMA 12366

Offline Fredvon4

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2101
  • Central Texas
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2015, 08:26:08 AM »


Mark said
"some smart guy needs to build an app for this calculator,, so we can carry it with us on our phone!"

I would add: Also a built in precision weight transducer so we just poke in the dimensions, lay the phone down, weigh the wood and see the result

Why not? My phone can tell me how fast my heart is beating from an app that uses some sensor inside it.

OK seriously

My good electronic scale at 6.5" x9.5" is a bit much to schlep around to the places (very few) that I would like to select balsa from their meager lot of wood

I know several do this--- so I ask...can you suggest/recommend a good SMALL scale to use
"A good scare teaches more than good advice"

Fred von Gortler IV

Offline PerttiMe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1183
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2015, 09:06:33 AM »
I built a Blue Pants as a kid. Wish I still had it. Might even learn to fly it.

Offline Avaiojet

  • 22 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 7468
  • Just here for the fun of it also.
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2015, 09:13:02 AM »
I'll be the first to admit, and I did, that the balsa wood I used for the original Loser, which became the Mig-3, was built with my old stash of Balsa USA wood from my R/C days.

Yes, and as I said, probably quite a bit heavier because of the wood. So, the model is heavy.

The New American, which is now the ARGO, somewhat the same. Fuselage wood from Brodak. Ribs from Sig. Sig is known for using anything but contest grade balsa, at least in their R/C kits. I've built a number of them.

ARGO wing sheeting, 3/32 instead of 1/16 AND again, my old stash of heavy Balsa USA wood.

So, unfortunately, the model is a bit heavy.

I used up all my balsa from my R/C days.

Enter my "Balsa Density Calculator." His name is Tom Morris.

Now, and from now on, I purchase ALL contest grade balsa from Tom Morris.

My Stuka tank buster, all contest grade wood from Tom Morris, I'm pleased with the weight so far even though I have some unneeded scale details.

"Balsa Density Calculator" = Tom Morris.

Works for me and I don't even have to think.

Charles

« Last Edit: November 16, 2015, 10:38:10 PM by Avaiojet »
Trump Derangement Syndrome. TDS. 
Avaiojet Derangement Syndrome. ADS.
Amazing how ignorance can get in the way of the learning process.
If you're Trolled, you know you're doing something right.  Alpha Mike Foxtrot. "No one has ever made a difference by being like everyone else."  Marcus Cordeiro, The "Mark of Excellence," you will not be forgotten. "No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot."- Mark Twain. I look at the Forum as a place to contribute and make friends, some view it as a Realm where they could be King.   Proverb 11.9  "With his mouth the Godless destroys his neighbor..."  "Perhaps the greatest challenge in modeling is to build a competitive control line stunter that looks like a real airplane." David McCellan, 1980.

Offline Fredvon4

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2101
  • Central Texas
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2015, 10:04:33 AM »
Dang PerttiMe

I do reloading but never thought of it as a hobby and set up in another room. It simply never occurred to me that my small powder scale (like you suggested) would be perfect to put in my coat pocket for the trim to my LHS

Feel dumb now
"A good scare teaches more than good advice"

Fred von Gortler IV

Offline Motorman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 3694
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2015, 10:24:53 AM »
Don't get caught carrying a scale around lol.


MM
Wasted words ain't never been heard. Alman Brothers

Offline PerttiMe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • ******
  • Posts: 1183
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2015, 11:04:47 AM »
... my small powder scale (like you suggested) would be perfect...
As long as the balsa isn't too heavy. I don't think I've weighed anything heavier than a 230 grain bullet on mine.
I built a Blue Pants as a kid. Wish I still had it. Might even learn to fly it.

Offline Norm Furutani

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Commander
  • ****
  • Posts: 210
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2015, 11:15:49 AM »
I like Eric's link. You can put the weight in ounces or grams and the thickness in decimals. Thickness can vary a lot.

As for scales, this HF scale http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-pocket-scale-93543.html has been outstanding. It's pocket-able, accurate (better than my $150 Acculab), batteries last a long time and CHEAP (Use the coupon).

FFNorm

PS- The scale reads in tenth of grams, it's good for small batches of epoxy

Offline Fredvon4

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 2101
  • Central Texas
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2015, 06:00:21 AM »
Motorman

You know it took me a while to understand your post

Then there was a item on the news, just as I was perusing this thread, about a drug dealer (alleged) in Austin that was arrested simply because some policeman decided that $5000+ cash was too much to walk around with

I doubt a swipe on my scale would turn up cocaine or meth but it would test hot for explosives.... certainly not something I want to go through TSA screening with in my pocket
"A good scare teaches more than good advice"

Fred von Gortler IV

Offline Steve Helmick

  • 24 supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Admiral
  • *
  • Posts: 10272
Re: Balsa Density Calculator
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2015, 11:18:22 PM »
This one is pretty popular with the free flight crowd. Inexpensive, durable, carry it with you 24/7. You may need to push a T-pin into a sheet of balsa to have something to clip onto.  #^ Steve

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAPD-POSTAL-LETTER-HAND-SCALE-WITH-POUCH-/220754791548?hash=item336602cc7c
"The United States has become a place where professional athletes and entertainers are mistaken for people of importance." - Robert Heinlein

In 1944 18-20 year old's stormed beaches, and parachuted behind enemy lines to almost certain death.  In 2015 18-20 year old's need safe zones so people don't hurt their feelings.

Tags: