Bad Balsa

[DanielGelinas]

Hi All,

I recently bought some balsa off the internet from a major balsa supplier, which I will not name here. I was suprised to see that ALL the 1/2 x1/2 by 36 and 3/8 x 3/8 x 36 balsa was bowed

Packages of 10 pieces...

Is this the norm when buying from the internet?
Do I need to get contest grade wood?

Should I contact them and get the wood changed or what you shop online is what you get??

This is very discouraging when one wants to scratch build but has no local hobby shop with balsa.

Thanks for your input,

-Daniel

[Mike Griffin]

Hi Daniel

I have no idea who you bought it from but this is not the norm from reputable balsa suppliers.  Since I am a cottage kit manufacturer, I buy a lot of balsa and occassionaly I will get a warped plank but it would be pretty unusual to get that many pieces like you did.  I certainly would not hesitate to contact the source you bought it from and they should work with you to replace the bad material.  Contest grade should always be lighter and of higher quality but there is no guarantee that you will not get a warped board occassionaly but to have that many in one shipment I dont think should happen and I would contact the supplier you bought it from and ask them to replace it.

Mike

[Rafael Gonzalez]

I would. You did not get what you paid for. However, you will be paying for the return. So you are already more on the negative end. After a couple of experiences, I have never used the internet for items that you need to be in proper dimensions and quality again. Yes, eBay is good if one is careful in choosing the sellers.

I did something similar as you, twice. I purchased a wood shed on the web. When it came, it was all wrapped in the same material as they wrap the boats for the winter in the NE area. When I opened the wrapping and started to inspect the wood, I could as well use it for the fireplace!

The other, was a list of materials to be delivered to a dwelling I was to remodel by a popular home improvement outfit. The 2x4's, planking, subfloor, etc., could have been used for a boat without any bending!!! Now I pick my own materials on anything I build. Best to go and support your LHS!!!  . They need you. One can not get a knowledgeable CSR on the phone anymore. In person is the best.

 

[DanielGelinas]

Thanks guys,

I will contact the supplier. I'll let you know how it goes...

-Daniel

[Dan McEntee]

  Before you go off the deep end, please do a little research and understand how balsa is processed and milled. Understand the properties of the wood. Every time you cut a piece of wood, or sand one side, you create and relieve stresses, and that causes changes in  the fiber and grain of the wood. Balsa has a moisture content that constantly changes with it's environment. The balsa sticks you bought may have been straight when they were cut and packaged and bowed when unwrapped. It really isn't the end of the world, especially for 1/2" square and 3/8" square sticks. If you really have to have them absolutely straight, pull the offending sticks over the edge of a table with the bowed ends up. Use just a little bit of pressure in the opposite direction. You can draw them back into line with very little effort and practice. If the sticks are for leading edges just put the bowed edge in and pull the ends home when gluing. A slight bow working against the entire wing structure isn't going to cause any problems. As the parts sit in your building room taking on moisture or drying out, things are going to change anyway. If you spend the time contacting the seller, and he agrees to replace the wood, chances are you may get some that are bowed again. When they are cutting wood into strips, I'll bet more have some bow to them that not, just because of the physics involved. It's your time and money, but I think a little more understanding of the processes involved will go a long way.
   Good luck and have fun,
   Dan McEntee