Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD
Reload this Page >

Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

Notices
Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD If you are starting/building a project from scratch or want to discuss design, CAD or even share 3D design images this is the place. Q&A's.

Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

Old 01-07-2004, 03:18 PM
  #1  
Crash90
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (17)
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Cressona, PA
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

Hi. I hope I am in the right forum. I have just purchased plans for a 42% Bi Plane. This will be my first plane built directly from plans. (Thought I'd jump right in). Anyhow there are obviously some very large formers. I am wondering where I can buy balsa, lite ply, and aircraft ply in large pieces? Thanks.
Old 01-07-2004, 07:21 PM
  #2  
pete913
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: minot, ND
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

I've bought balsa and plywood from both Lone Star balsa, and Balsa USA, and have had good service and speedy delivery from both places. Good stuff as well.
Old 01-07-2004, 07:51 PM
  #3  
Crash90
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (17)
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Cressona, PA
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

Thank you. My biggest problem seems to be that the front formers, for example, would require a piece of 1/8 plywood (aircraft grade I would assume) 13x14. Now I can find it in 12" widths, but not 13".
The plans specify 1/8 plywood. They don'y specify aircraft grade. Could that possibly mean that regular 1/8" plywood is ok?
Old 01-07-2004, 08:02 PM
  #4  
CafeenMan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

You can get 1/8" plywood door skins from places like Home Depot. FWIW, I always laminate my own plywood because it's always warped when you buy it. So if I need a piece of 1/8", then I laminate 2 pieces of 1/16" cross grain. THen I cut as much out of the middle of it as I can. I've used slow drying epoxy and gorilla glue with good success. I put as much weight as possible on top of it until it's fully cured.

The reason I mention this is because you could probably make a larger piece, such as the 13" piece you need, using a similar technique.
Old 01-07-2004, 08:09 PM
  #5  
Crash90
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (17)
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Cressona, PA
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

Thanks guys.
Old 01-07-2004, 10:21 PM
  #6  
blvdbuzzard
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: high deserts, CA
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

If you look in the phone book under hard wood, wood working supplies you should be able to find Baltic Birch ply. It is the best grade around. It comes in a 5'X5' sheet in several thickness's. I buy it for cabinet work. I make draws out of it so I have scrap around for my planes. I get the ply around town and order the balsa.


Dru.
Old 01-07-2004, 10:42 PM
  #7  
CoosBayLumber
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: San Bernardino Calif
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

The situation as mentioned above, is that of the laminating glue. Common old plywood obtained from the lumber yard will delaminate when wet. The aircraft quality plywood and marine quality plywood has a glue which will not be affected by wetness. If you were flying electric, it may not be of concern, but with fuels it is.


Wm.
Old 01-07-2004, 10:54 PM
  #8  
Volture
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Manchester, TN
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/nsearch.php?s=plywood
Old 01-07-2004, 11:44 PM
  #9  
billf
Senior Member
 
billf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Hudson, WI
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Buying balsa,lite ply, and aircraft ply?

ORIGINAL: CafeenMan

You can get 1/8" plywood door skins from places like Home Depot. FWIW, I always laminate my own plywood because it's always warped when you buy it. So if I need a piece of 1/8", then I laminate 2 pieces of 1/16" cross grain. THen I cut as much out of the middle of it as I can. I've used slow drying epoxy and gorilla glue with good success. I put as much weight as possible on top of it until it's fully cured.
If a person has access to vacuum bagging equipment, both balsa and regular plywood can easily be fabricated as described by Cafeen Man. At 10" of vacuum a 12 x 12 piece has about 10 psi loading which is equivalent to piling 1440 pounds of weight on the lay-up. In fact more than about 5" of vacuum on white bead foam is enough to crush it.

Bill

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.