Tags: balsa vs bass, balsa wood, tips, wood density, wood grain, wood selection
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Balsa Wood
Balsa wood is unique from all other woods. Its properties make it valuable to bridge builders, wood carvers, surfers, and many others. Bridge builders have to be careful, however, when using Balsa. You can’t simply pick up two pieces of Balsa with the same dimensions and expect them to perform the same. Learn what to look for in this article.
My favorite article about Balsa wood was taken down, but I found a copy of it at Archive.org.
Balsa or Basswood?
I have heard a lot of people claim that nobody should use Balsa. They claim that Basswood is the way to go. I question that claim, and want data to back it up. Now, I do know that you can build a very efficient bridge with Basswood, but I also know you can do the same with Balsa.
Balsa and Basswood are completely different woods. I don’t think it it possible to claim that one is better than the other, without considering all the possible situations. Read my observations about the differences between Balsa and Basswood.
Glue for Balsa
Is there a particular glue that works wonders with Balsa wood? I don’t know. I have heard that people have had great success using plain old wood glue with Balsa.
Here is a hypothesis of mine. Since Balsa is such a porous material, it can take every advantage of glues that expand when they dry, such as Gorilla glue or Probond. I know both those glues work well on most anything, but I believe they have the potential work even better gluing Balsa wood.
This isn’t a discussion about glues, but I want to point this out. Both Gorilla glue and Probond are heavy, and because of that many people don’t want to use them. But keep in mind that you don’t have to use hardly any of the glue, and you still have a very strong joint.
Conclusion? Nah, I’ll leave that up to you. Here is my page discussing glues.
Using Low Density Wood
Here I quote “rjm” from SciOly:
Contest-grade balsa generally refers to model airplane applications. You don’t get enough strength from it to be useful in structures carrying loads. You’re better off using a denser wood with a smaller cross-section. Balsa increases in strength as the density increases, and the increase in strength is not a linear proportion. The strength to weight ratio gets better with higher density. The only drawback to high density is that, to achieve a light weight, the cross section dimensions get too small to work with. The legs and braces need enough surface area for a glue bond, and compression chords need a large enough cross section to resist buckling. You will have to experiment with densities to find an optimum balance. I’d suggest that you weigh out every piece of wood you own, sort it, and build a number of structures with identical geometry and varying densities. Record your observations as the structures fail. I think that you’ll find that the contest-grade balsa that you mentioned (5.4 lb/ft^3) is far too light. Don’t pay extra for it.
Bob Monetza
Grand Haven, MI
Balsa Wood Grain
Not all pieces of Balsa wood are equal. Besides having different densities (strength), Balsa wood also has different grain structures. What is a grain structure? Take a look at these pictures. Click for a closer view.
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- A Grain Wood
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- C Grain
B grain Balsa wood lies somewhere in between A and C.
A grain Balsa wood has long fibers across the entire length of the sheet. Pieces like this are the best type for tension members. You should make sure that the grain goes straight across the piece of wood, and doesn’t go on an angle. C grain Balsa wood is better for compression members. C grain is more stiff than A grain.
It is easy to tell the difference between the grain types when you are looking a full sheet of Balsa wood. But it isn’t so easy with a small square or rectangle piece. That is another reason to cut your own strips of balsa wood.
Where to Buy Balsa
You can find Balsa wood at most any local Hobby store. In fact, I would recommend looking local first before buying online. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Hobby Town USA all stock Balsa wood. You may not be able to find what you want, but it is worth a try.
The reason I say it is better to go to a local store before buying online, is because you can actually see the wood. You can look and see what type of grain it has, make sure it is straight, and possibly weigh the wood yourself. Nothing compares to actually getting to see the wood before you buy. But, the second best thing is to buy online. Balsa Wood Inc is an online store that sells Balsa wood. You can start by checking out this website because they have a great selection of Balsa wood sticks, sheets, and blocks.
For other online stores, see this list: Online Stores that Sell Balsa Wood
How would you recomend building a brindge for an engeenering fair out of balsa wood. I mean would it be easy?
what is a brindge
this site is very helpful
We are doing a bosal wood project in my technology class, and this website is very helpful.
this website rocks
I personally prefer Balsa wood.
At school for a project we spent a week making a bridge out of Balsa to carry as much weight as possible. It ended up weighing 125g and carried 25kg without breaking and they ran out of weights to put on it. The only bridge ever to survive
Hey how did u make that bridge, can u show me please?
Dear sir/madam,
We’re a manufacture company based in Jakarta, Indonesia have many stock of balsa wood in block, sheet and stick size.
Below is our products description:
Balsa Block
Description Price/cbm
100cm x 10cm x 10cm US $449.00
100cm x 10cm x 7.5cm US $419.00
100cm x 10cm x 5cm US $379.00
100cm x 7.5cm x 7.5cm US $379.00
100cm x 7.5cm x 5cm US $349.00
100cm x 5cm x 5cm US $279.00
Balsa Sheet
Description Price/pcs
100cm x 10cm x 1mm US $0.19
100cm x 10cm x 1.5mm US $0.24
100cm x 10cm x 2mm US $0.29
100cm x 10cm x 2.5mm US $0.34
100cm x 10cm x 3mm US $0.39
100cm x 10cm x 4mm US $0.49
100cm x 10cm x 5mm US $0.59
100cm x 10cm x 6mm US $0.69
100cm x 10cm x 7mm US $0.79
Balsa Stick
Description Price/pcs
1.5mm x 1.5mm x 900mm US $0.10
1.5mm x 3mm x 900mm US $0.12
1.5mm x 6mm x 900mm US $0.15
2mm x 2mm x 900mm US $0.12
2mm x 4mm x 900mm US $0.16
2mm x 6mm x 900mm US $0.19
2.5mm x 2.5mm x 900mm US $0.14
5mm x 5mm x 900mm US $0.24
If you interested please email us at balsa@asiaglobalindo.com or visit our company website at http://balsa.asiaglobalindo.com for more information of our products.
Thank you.
Is wooden dowel stronger than same size wood strip?Or their strenghts are same.
I love this website!!!!!!! I got an A+ on my tech quiz… I love u Miley
Haha I agree with Miley! We looked over this site together and we both got A+. Would you like backstage passes to my concert?
Hey guys!!! This site is the coolest. It helped me get an A+ on my technology quiz on bridges. Thans so much! I could’nt be any more grateful for this site.
– Miley Cyrus-
i think its kinda cool its alright i guess if you know what your doing to make one of them tthen i say do your best at whatever you do. (ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Maryann, it depends on what you are doing. Bigger pieces of lower density wood are typically better for pieces in compression. Higher density is typically better for pieces in tension.
garret you have it the wrong way around mate
Johnny, can you explain what you mean?
Is there a recommended density range for balsa?