The Best Source For Balsa

[Steve Dwyer]

Here we go again someone asking where todays best source for balsa is. Below are some sources I've identified, any recent experiences and recommendations will be appreciated. (great source, bad experience, poor quality, stay away, etc.)

Bus Nosen
Balsa USA
National Balsa
Sig
Specialized Balsa Wood, LLC. ---Offered by weight
Model Aviation Products (MAP) --- Offering "contest grade"
Sig
OKIE Air

Steve

[Steve Helmick]

Check with "Bob's your Uncle" to see if he has any light balsa sheet stock.  Steve

[Motorman]

I've always got good stuff from Okie Air. Haven't ordered from them lately, I've been building kits.

From Sig I've learned to order several pieces of the size I want because you might get a straight one.

Motorman

[pat king]

Balsa Wood Inc. is a good source. At the present time they do not have 4" wide wood available.

Pat

[john e. holliday]

I've gotten some really light stuff at Hobby Lobby.  This is when the local hobby shop was not stocking their shelves.  To me anything that the fingers go through while handling is too light.

[Steve Dwyer]

The two Hobby Lobbys in our area did years back on occasion have a decent supply on hand to pick through but recently their stock is way down and shelves are empty. Same goes for the Hobby Town we have, they said they have a Bud Nosen order in but have been saying that for months now. They are in a jam because the Syracuse University Architecture Dept. would typically at this time send students there for materials for building model bridge structures. I guess it's time to start considering bass wood and upping the model design load limits. From what I heard it's a competition.

Who wants to order from the various on line sources and spend the money they want not knowing what you will receive.

Steve

[Wayne Collier]

They are in a jam because the Syracuse University Architecture Dept. would typically at this time send students there for materials for building model bridge structures. I guess it's time to start considering bass wood and upping the model design load limits. From what I heard it's a competition.


Steve

A friend of mine’s son was a competitive bridge builder several years ago. Each person  or team would build a bridge and then at the competition they would test which one would support the most weight. They had to consider orientation of the grain as well as size of structural components.

[Steve Dwyer]

I just did a brief on line price comparison for a 1/4" x 3" x 36"  balsa sheet. Prices are for what these vendors are calling "light balsa" in the 6 to 12 lb range. Aero Light or contest grade prices are noted where vendors supply it.  What's the current experience on the best source for decent quality?
Steve
 
Bud Nosen no prices available online, must call.             $  ??
National Balsa                                                             $  4.10      Aero Light 4 to 7 lb Grade $12.34
Model Aviation Products                                               $  5.02       Contest Grade $6.02
Specialized Balsa                                                         $  5.92
Balsa Wood Inc.                                                           $  3.08
Balsa USA                                                                   $  5.79

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

Added Sig.

Bud Nosen no prices available online, must call.             $  ??
National Balsa                                               $ 4.10      Aero Light 4 to 7 lb Grade $12.34
Model Aviation Products                                      $ 5.02       Contest Grade $6.02
Specialized Balsa                                            $ 5.92
Balsa Wood Inc.                                              $ 3.08
Balsa USA                                                    $ 5.79
Sig                                                          $ 4.42

[Mike Griffin]

I cannot speak to anyone on the previous list except Bud Nosen.  When I produced kits, I bought from Bud Nosen.  Eric Rule bought a lot from Bud Nosen, Tom Morris bought from Bud Nosen.  I never got bad balsa from Nosen, whether it was contest balsa or AAA balsa.  For what it is worth.

Mike

[Steve Dwyer]

Thanks for the PMs sent to me in response. Anyone know where Brodak buys their stock? The Vector 40 kit I bought from them last year has beautiful material in it.

Steve

[Joe Ed Pederson]

Speaking of Sig:

I received a small order of Balsa last week.  I ordered four sheets of 1/16" x 4" x 36" 'contest balsa.'  All four sheets were 5.5 lb. density.  I ordered 2 sheets of 1/32" x 3" x 36" 'contest balsa.'  Unfortunately they were over 11 lb. density. The 1/8" C-grain wood I ordered was out of stock.

I also ordered the one Sig Twister kit they had in stock.   I was amazed the price was still $74.50.  I graded all the wood for density and found that all the wood was under 11 lb. and the fuselage blank I estimate to be between 7 and 8 pound density.  So, pretty typical for Sig Twister kits before the balsa shortage.  Oh, yes, the fin and rudder were 5.5 pound and the stab and elevator about 8 pound.  The flaps were about 11 pounds.

In inquired about fuel and Becky said they are still out of stock.  Becky also said not to trust the Website as to the availability of things, but rather give her a call to check and see if what you want is truly in stock.

Joe Ed Pederson

[Ken Culbertson]

Who ended up with the MAL inventory when they closed.  That was some of the best contest balsa around.  When I was last there about 2 months before they closed, they had a room full.

$12.34 for a sheet of 1/4 x 3 makes me want to collect stamps.

Ken

[kevin king]

The Wind Turbine Depot over on 5th ave has plenty of 6# C-grain balsa.