RE: Reshaping balsa elevator & Wing balancing
I have used steam to purposely bend balsa sheet for turtledecks or cowl cheeks. It would probably also work for straightening warped balsa stock. You may have to overbend it a little to get it straight.
It certainly doesn't hurt to get the lateral balance perfect but the sky won't fall if it isn't, in fact it will probably fly okay with a warped elevator also.