Balsa
 

1) Do they manufacture 1/8" triangle balsa stock? If so where can I find it?
2) Where can I find half-circle balsa stock such as some kits have for wing leading edges?

RE: Balsa
 

Its been a while since I've done any scratch building. Not sure about 1/8" triangle stock, but leading edge round stock is available in several sizes. If you have a good hobby shop in your area you should be able to find what you want there in the balsa bins. If not checkout Balsa USA and order what you need from them.

RE: Balsa
 

Checked BalsaUSA and they don't have the rounded stock.

RE: Balsa
 

While rounded stock and make things a bit easier, it's not difficult to simply carve and sand the leading edge to the shape that you need. I've done this on more planes than I can count and it's really not a big deal. You can shape and sand the leading edge of a wing in less than 30 minutes.

Ken

RE: Balsa
 

Yes it is very easy and tower hobbies has a [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXK325&P=7]Multi Sander[/link] to help make the leading edge perfect.

RE: Balsa
 

I have one of those but I rarely use it. I rough shape the wood with a razor plane and then I final sand it with a small sanding bar and a loose sheet of sand paper. I can shape out a wing LE pretty quickly.

Ken

RE: Balsa
 

Yes, 1/8" triangle exists. I have some purchased several years ago from my LHS, though i do not know the distributor. A quick search does seem to indicate that it's hard to find...I'll see if i can track some down.

As for leading edge stock, as mentioned above, any airplane-oriented LHS probably has, or can get, some of many different sizes. While I echo Ken, and tend to shave/shape/sand my own, I understand the preference for using "pre-shaped" sticks.

If you can't find some locally 9always preferable), Sig has some listed on their website in 3 sizes.

RE: Balsa
 

For the leading edges of my tail surfaces I drilled a hole through the end of a 3" piece of pine then ripped the pine to leave a 3" long 1/2 circle. Slip a piece of sandpaper in and it gives a good rounded edge... I havent used it on the wing ..


Pop

RE: Balsa
 

The smallest triangles I've ever seen are 1/4 inch.

SIG sells leading edge stock but it was not the right size or shape for my Uproar 60.
www.sigmfg.com > Building Equipment > Wood > Balsa Wood > Leading Edge
part munbers SIGB085 SIGB086 SIGB087

I used a Master Airscrew razor plane and a flexible foam sanding pad to shape the rectangle they sent in the kit. It took me 2 or 3 hours to do both but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I had a gigantic pile of balsa shavings and sanding dust when I finished.

RE: Balsa
 

http://www.sigmfg.com/IndexText/SIGB085.html Leading edge stock

http://www.specializedbalsa.com/balsa_triangles.php 1/8 triangle stock and http://www.specializedbalsa.com/lead_trail_aileron.php Leading Edges

RE: Balsa
 

Where's that picture, Bruce? [>:] :D

All that balsa dust and shavings makes good kindling.

CGr

RE: Balsa
 

Picture? Of me? I'm not dumb enough to give RCKen and Minn ammo to use against me with photo shop. They invent enough already.