For whatever reason.. when done with a build, attempted build, or modifying an ARF, extra covering bits, wire and so forth typically get tossed, or maybe saved depending on how big a piece. But for some reason.. I can hardly bring myself to throw balsa away, except the smallest of scrap. So I have a couple buckets of balsa scraps, good balsa on the wall racks.. but man.. might need that 3" 3/32nd piece or that 6" piece of 1/8x1/8" sq. Am I just strange or are there other balsa horders out there?

I don't through anything away I think I can use later

I am the same way, if the piece looks large enough to be used on something it stays. I have a scap bucket of balsa and spruce stick stock. A bin with scap ply and a box of scrap balsa sheeting. I usually find the need to go into these scrap bins several times during a build. When I clean up at the end of the build anything worth saving goes into the appropriate bin for the next build.

My wife says I am a hobby pack-rat
Anthony

The problem is the word ALL in your question. I answered yes but not really. Depends on the size of the wood left over. I have a big kit box full of scrap but being a plans builder I have plenty of wood on hand, not just scrap. I have enough wood on hand I can be sleective as to what I keep or toss.

I keep it all creating a nice stockpile usually cutting it to workable pieces. I sort by balsa sheet, sticks, dowels, and ply. I presently am not keeping the common stuff but will keep the ply stuff still.

I keep "enough", which is one old kit box of sheet balsa and one of lite ply, blocks and any sticks. I go through the boxes once they get too full, select the best and toss the rest.

Same here

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">i have 7 big boxes that the kits came in that are full of scraps, and 2 mailing tubes 24 inches long that have new and used balsa in. most of it is the old 'trees' that the cutout parts were in (used for rebuilding after damage-no need to make templates), but a lot of extra stock as well. i guess templates would be cleaner???</span>

+1

I always have plenty of sheet stock on hand. I tend to build a lot of scratch projects so needing balsa sheet and ply (lite or aircraft quality) is the least of my needs.

Having said that, I keep bigger sections that I know I might LIKELY use. Balsa for ribs, balsa for aft belly cross planking.

I swap out a lot of materials supplied in the few kits I build. If the supplied wood is too soft and light, I stash that for a better application, and replace it with something more appropriate.

I buy a lot of started projects that really have little value. For 10 of 15 bucks, I can snag 5-6 sheets of raw stock, a pair of wheels, a dural gear, some other do-dads that I know I'll consume in time.

Why?

Hmm... I just bought a Hot Canary (A '70's biplane). I have zero desire to build it out.
But, one wing is built and suddenly I see a flying wing project.

I have gobs of servos, receivers... covering material, hardware, CA...
It'll be something else to fly in a hurry (I have only 6 planes ready to fly... that's just destitution on display!). I'll build it out as a rough "proof" prototype, and recall it's a biplane kit to begin with. All the bits to fine tune a second version are "there". First version will be a cheek nose... second version will be a spinner blended to a full rounded nose.

When I started the Spacewalker, I knew I'd grow weary of it in a hurry. It's a "complete" project with no expense spared (And it'll be electric so the expense will be HUGE), no corners cut... it'll take some time! This is a plane I expect to have for years and years; I have to be happy with every detail. It's in the build the rotation with an Ultimate Bipe.

I have the wings and tail-feathers built and some covering done. Time to box it all up, and have some fun thrashing!

I have 2 rolls of dayglo snot green and chrome to get rid of... I see an end already!

Exploiyager Projects v.21.0

Drawing as you build rocks!

I the keep big stuff but definitely not all scraps.

If it is bigger than a postage stamp, it goes in the save bin. For the really big/long sheet stock and stick scraps I have them stored in a big ARF box. Who says ARFs have no value in the hobby?

Bedford

+1

Bigger than a postage stamp... same deal.

I keep all the punch out pieces so that if I break something I have a pattern to make new parts with, and keep anything that can be used, whether it is a small flat piece, or block. What I dont keep once done are any small scraps under an inch, they just take up clutter.

My problem is that I am so disorganized when I save all this stuff I can never find it when I need it. I end up going out and buying it.

Tell me, I have 3 stud finders (somewhere). Same with the hammers, screwdrivers, etc. I have 2 Xacto blade holders, but recently I had to run to get one because i could not find the darn things (now I have 3). BTW, I saw them cheap at AC Moore when I went to buy 1/8 plywood...

Gerry

Gotta have something to mix your epoxy with.

Save the larger stuff. Trace the cut-outs on the back of the plans. That way, I have templates for fuselage sides, ribs, etc. for a later re-build or ? ? ?

I keep the skeleton parts, just in case I need to 'repair' something - and I keep the box if it is larger than the one I have.....the best box for balsa so far is a Great Planes Big Stick .60 kit box

I have used my balsa scraps to not only repair damage but also in new boat builds.

I keep all my scrap wood. I do keep it seperated though, balsa, plywood, stix, sheet. I have even built small 1/2A planes from the scrap. My grandson loves rummageing thru the wood pile & (BUILDING) stuff while in the shop with me....Gene

I have built several small planes from my scraps. If you build .15 and smaller, you can do the same. I once had to use 2 new boards( for fuse sides) to complete the small airframe.

I keep all scrap I consider to be of useful size. Comes in handy for mods, fillets, reinforcements, all kinds of stuff.