ORIGINAL FROM KEN:
As for an easy and quick to use balsa filler I just use Elmer's wood filler. It's cheap and does a great job in filling, and it's easy to sand. Another great filler is lightweight spackling material.
#1)What's good for Ken is good for me, he is a professional builder and all the advice he's given me has been right on the money as they say. I will pick up some Elmers wood filler as soon as possible. I picked up a nail file he recommended for sanding small areas such as rib notches and such, and I will be getting some emery boards as well very soon. I didn't really like the idea of using dope any way - I've heard reports that it can cause brain damage if not well-ventilated.
One thing that works if you have a small dent/ding in balsa, is to fill an insulin syringe with water and then inject a small amount of the water into and around the dinged area. Then set your covering iron on "hot" and iron over the area. It will steam and swell the wood up again and take out the minor dings.
Will be doing that as well - with me being a horse owner and needing to get them shots I can get medical syringes any time - I may even have one laying around the barn right now.
#2 point in Ken's quote) I have been using vinyl spackling for a while because my father has always used spackling as a filler for his planes for over 20 years. When it was mentioned that I used it I was left with this post in my thread ‘MY KADET LT-40 BUILD’ (post #5)
From 2slow2matter:
You filled the boo boos with wall spackling?
That's too heavy. Get some balsa filler--balsa-rite works great, and is as light as balsa, or lighter!
Just slightly confused here, but I think I will take Ken's advice on using Elmer's wood filler and see what that's like.
But I still wanna hear what you other members use.