Balsa Wood for Craft and Hobby Projects
Balsa Wood is light and delicate but very strong because the structural cells of the wood are large and very thin walled. This then makes the proportion of solid matter to open space very small. Woods typically have a sticky cement, called lignin, (a polymer like substance) holding the cells together.
Balsa wood is such a low density that it can be easily cut and worked with hand tools, sanding blocks and Exacto style blades. Balsa wood is the favorite choice for toy airplanes and helicopters. It is extremely light, while holding a good level of solidity. Balsa wood is also used to build very light, rigid structures in model bridge tests.
Balsa wood does have a grainy texture, so consumers should be aware of what type of cut they need for a specific project. Some balsa wood is cut across the grain, which makes it suited for carving but not for weight-bearing projects. Balsa wood is frequently thought of as the strongest wood in the world, for its weight. Pound for pound it is more substantial, in some respects than pine, hickory, or even oak.
Balsa wood gets its great strength from its vascular arrangement, a network of small tubes which carry nutrients and water throughout the tree. Balsa wood is also a little delicate, as I'm sure you have noticed. It is also the strongest practical material for its weight and therefore continues as the most popular model building material.
Balsa wood is a good wood for starting projects because it is easy to manipulate. Balsa wood aircraft are cheap, unbelievably light and easy to assemble.
Sheet balsa always needs to be squared if you need it to have a straight edge, because many pieces have a large amount of curvature. Sheets are cut in the entire wide range of density.
Crafters and hobbyists will find balsa very easy to cut and carve, making it ideal for a number of different projects. It can also be painted or stained any color the hobbyist desires.
Be sure to visit my Balsa Wood site for more information.
Balsa Wood Tips and Techniques by Pat Morgan
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