Ordering Balsa
 

With the building season fast approaching and many scratch or short kit projects awaiting, I need balsa and more balsa! Never having ordered balsa through the mail, I have a couple of questions. So you guys that have done so, please chime in.

What combination sheet and stick stock is the most common for a large order for several models? Also, must you specify the grade of the wood (contest, AAA etc.). Most important is, who is the best suppler these days? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

FB

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

I always used Lone Star with great results but they are no more :(

I had received a recent order from National Balsa and was generally pleased, all the sheet wood was excellent (I specified contest balsa) but not all of the strip stock was that great.
I miss the days when a good hobby shop carried quality balsa & I could sort and pick the best...

I always review the plans and make a bill of materials for what I think is needed, and then double or triple the quantity. I order several airplanes worth at once so I end up with a good bit for stock, and always buy contest grade balsa sheeting as well as a lesser bit of standard balsa. There are a few places where harder/heavier sheeting is desired but the good stuff is so nice to work with and lighter airplanes fly better!

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

Hey FreeBird - This should help: www.balsausa.com

Crank

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

I was not pleased with National Balsa. Do a search on them and you will find others with complaints too.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_77...tm.htm#7794898

.

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

Great info guys! Keep it coming!

FB

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

FB:

With Lonestar out for awhile Rob and Yogi and I have been using National Balsa and Sig. We alway specify Contest grade usually 6lb. The stuff from National has been about 6-7.5lb but is usually nice wood. He is in Mass. so pickups are possible. I like staight grain A or B for sheeting. I prefer A or B and only rarely use C grain. When possible I get 4"x48" for sheeting. Sig also has good balsa if you specify Contest although I must confess I have a Mountain of Sig contest 1/16 and 3/32 that was hand selected by Mike Pratt way back when he worked at Sig.

Hope this helps.

I will try to do plans for you this week and will trade for Mach None canopys. Would like to build 2 of the rascals 1 with 074 and 1 "lectrified".


Peace

Mark O

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

freebird, I ordered the stock for the banshee from Balsa USA and it was ok for the most part, other than the boomerangs that they included in the order. I thought I had ordered aileron stock, not boomerangs. Their online order form was really hard to understand but there again I'm no internet expert on that. I'll probably go elsewhere next time(sig) sugarfox

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

i was very unhappy with national balsa, my recent order from balsa usa was a lot nicer quality.

david

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

From what I hear from some other pro builders is from National you have to order the hand picked contest grade wood, but it is well worth the price. I have some of it I got from Mike, and it is light and straight.

scott
Perfromance Model Aviation

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

OK, thanks for all the info guys. It seems to be a toss up between BUSA & National. Pick your poison I guess.

FB

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

8178 has reported excellent results with dynamic balsa i think.

david

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

I have yet to order any balsa...But I've read that Sig was suppose to be the place to get your contest grade stuff...

I dunno...I need to figure it out too cause I need to start sheeting some wings..Hopefully Soon!!

Chuck

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

Thanks for the info Sugar. Aileron stock is usually available at my LHS and I like to eyeball it before buying it. How's that Banshee coming along?

FB

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

Freebird, haven't fooled with it much this week as I'vehad computer problems and have been dealing with that. I'm putting the servos and radio stuff in and then it will be ready for a final sand and covering. I'll send it to you by parcel post for covering and will expect it back with in a week. Hows that for a challenge! Just kiddding, as you know my feelings about covering, I'd rather be beat with a noodle. Regards, sugar

RE: Ordering Balsa
 

Sugar, Get it ready for covering, crate it (pay shipping both ways) and I'll cover it!

FB