luis_hac

My Feedback: (4)

I try to finde a compilations of places to order balsa from. I figure all of you guys could help us "newbies" to building.

Thanks

carlosponti

My Feedback: (1)

well there used to be lone star but they burned down and they dont know if they will be back. i had trouble ordering from national balsa http://nationalbalsa.com/ but i was using firefox and linux. Balsa USA is another good supplier.

Acs_guitars

My Feedback: (3)

I use National now at the loss of LoneStar... Good pricing and quality.

CoosBayLumber

My Feedback: (1)

The respondants must be obtaining different wood that I have seen. In three loads now, the prominent eastern supplier has shipped junk wood to me and my friends. Split wood is most common, completely chipped off corners on other sheets. One guy ordered a bunch of 1/16 and 3/32 sheets and received accordian shaped woods. All useless. Was thinking the packaging is attrocious, but then the chips from the bad ends were not inside the sealed box. They were chipped before shipping. Can't use but opposite end to those sheets.

Oh, you can complain, but only get a paper worth that amount off the next order. Well, what happens when you no longer order any. Once is enough for us west coasters. Many here may receive good wood within two days of the place, but not for us three time zones away. Nope have found good wood at other locations. A cent or two higher per sheet, but least you can use it all then.


Wm.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I tried Tower's balsa on my latest project and was not disappointed. I bought tons of 1/16x3x36 sheets. Weights varied from about .30oz to .95oz per sheet. Not a cracked or broken sheet. Packaging was great.

cyclops2

I switched to foam & thin plywood & veneers to get reliable strengths and grains. The Balsa makes gasoline look cheap.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

I hear you about the gas. Yesterday morning it was $3.14 a gallon. Today it's $3.33 just because it's Friday and payday for alot of people.

cyclops2

I am at $2.95 regular.

The Arabs only get $2 / barrell !!

BMatthews

Let's keep the topic to balsa please.

mrbigg

My Feedback: (21)

It kinda of is. Gas is so expensive we can't afford Balsa![sm=lol.gif]

jjscott

I just received a balsa order from Balsa USA. A little bit of everything including contest balsa. Some of the nicest wood I've seen in a long while, not a bad piece in the lot.

Jim

dhal22

a good bit of my order from national was useless. won't use them again. split pieces heavy heavy blocks and i can return them at my cost. don't think so. the blocks are now tool holders and paper weights..

david

rickmelum

I also would like to find a quality suppliers of balsa wood, I was considering National but I'm thinking more of Balsa USA. Let me know if yuou have found a good supplier that has good prices and packageing.

kenh3497

I've not used them but could try here http://www.balsawoodinc.com/ The prices are really good, but like I say I've not used them.

Ken

balsa brain

For my last build I used BUSA and got some of the best wood I had ever seen. That was for a Hostetler quarter scale Decathlon. I am about ready to order again for another Hostetler design, a Skybolt at 26.5%. I guess the windmill blade builders are hurting us model types because the prices are up quiet a bit.

CafeenMan

Balsa USA wood is a lot better than it used to be. But they had to because there is more emphasis on light weight than ever in the past. Even ARFs are built with pretty good and light wood.

Back in the 80's when I would order from BUSA, the wood was mostly medium and heavy. Now it's light to medium-heavy. One word of caution though. A couple years ago I purchased some wood to be used for blocks when necessary. Something like 2" x 4" x 48". That stuff is bricks and I'll end up cutting it down into spars. I would never use any of it for blocks. Even hollowed it would weigh a ton.

I expected that they would know that wood like this is for blocks so I didn't specify light wood. Before I would order that size wood again i would specify that I wanted light wood. If they say they can't guarantee it I wouldn't order it.

Again, the sheet stock I get from them is excellent. I always buy in bulk so no matter what when I need a piece of a certain grain or hardness I'll find it in there.

balsa brain

I just priced out the balsa at BUSA for the Skybolt I mentioned above and with maybe a 15% allowance for some extra wood for the things I forgot to figure in and waste the price was a little over $300. Ouch! I did not figure in any spar material as I plan on picking up a basswood board from Lowes and cut my own. I also had three 2oz bottles of ca and some epoxy in the order. I think I am going to do a little shopping before I place this order.

spacewalker

My Feedback: (11)

Interesting comments from modelers looking for balsa, basswood, spruce supplies. I am a kit cutter and get most of my stock from Bud Nosen Models - best prices I can find. 1-800-544-6819.

Roger Marshall
Camden Custom Cutters
www.camdencustomcutters.com

DRCRAIG

My Feedback: (31)

I was told that Bud Nosen only sells to hobby shops, and businesses like yours - not individuals.
Has this policy changed??
Thanks.