I would like to "stock-up" on some balsa,plywood,lite-ply, spruce, basswood etc. We don't have a hobby shop anywhere in our area that stocks these items. Would appreciate anyone's thoughts on what I should order. There are many sizes and types to pick from. All I anticipate building are electrics up to about 48"wingspans and gliders to maybe the 100" class. Thanks in advance.

MIke Barker

There are quite a few places, here's one:

http://www.balsausa.com/store/

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS"><span style="font-size: medium">there's all types and sizes you could stock up on. you just gotta think about what you are going to be getting into as far as building. as with the electrics, you want to keep everything as light as possible, well, as with gas or electric. building alot of kits myself in the nitro side of the house, i think the most common for wing ribs would be 3/32" sheeting type material in the 3"x36" pieces. plywood, i would probably go with either some 1/8" thick stuff, and maybesome1/4" thick stuff. the spruce and the basswood are probably only going to be used for landing gear supports, wing spars, high stress and impact areas. balsa sticks...wow. sooo much to choose from. i would say keep the length at the 36" mark so you know you are going to have enough for whatever length you are building to. as far as dimensions, i would go with 3/16" or 1/4" thick by square, by 5/16", by 3/8",by 1/2" by3/4" etc. you can never go wrong with a wide variety. i've seen it all in kits.your fuselages are usually going to be either 3/32" balsa with lite ply doublers being 3/32" also, or somewhere along those lines. other than that being the only way you can get your hands on the wood, you could go to a michaels craft store if you have one around and they usually have a very good variety to choose from. and it's usually the same brand wood you would be ordering online. plus, with ordering online, you never get to see the quality of the wood you are getting until you get it. very, very bad things happen that way. you may be hoping for some good wood for forming around turtle decks that'sreally flexibleor something and get something stiff andbetter for more of a stress application like wing ribs. buying it at a store, you get to pick the quality and flexability you want for your application. but that's just my thoughts and what i have seen in the kits i have built and planes repaired. good wood is your friend. go to a store so you can see what you're getting. leave the online ordering for kits,accessories and that sort of jazz. also, when yo ever buy a kit, save the scrap that the parts were out of. you may need them for a template later or for cutting for a scrap piece of something.</span></span>

Oops, I read the question too fast, I thought you were looking for a place to buy from

Thanks everyone ! Thanks for your time ! Very good information !!

Mike Barker