balsa for stringer

i wanna give my 9 9 clark blank a 2inch wide balsa stringer before it gets shaped instead of the 3/8 basswood one. where can i get balsa this long and wide?of do i glue up a bunch of smll pieces to get the lenght i need

Quote:

i wanna give my 9 9 clark blank a 2inch wide balsa stringer before it gets shaped instead of the 3/8 basswood one. where can i get balsa this long and wide?of do i glue up a bunch of smll pieces to get the lenght i need

I can get it for you, but you’d probably have to take the whole 4X6X10’ piece. Then, how do I send it? It’l get pricey and not worth the cost. You figure out the tranportation and I’ll look for one for you if you are serious. I think Gary Fuller has some remnants, so you could call directly to him and save me the time, either way.

i am looking more for a dealer online or possibly if any of the DC baltimore area swaylockers know of locations.

RoW,

I don’t know the exact comparison between balsa & paulownia, but you might research it (properties of the wood). I was considering building a wood board before getting sucked into a 2lb eps hotwire project. this guy was very nice & has sold this wood for surfboards. Call him & see what he has in the size you would need for a stringer.

Mount Hope Farms, Dan Blickenstaff

16345 Mt. Tabor Rd.

Hagerstown, MD 21740

(301) 790-2372

Fax: (301) 790-1717

My notes for a wood board: “his email is mthope@erols.com does carry 3 - 4” stock but very expensive & long time to dry in kiln Does custom order, suggested 4/4 then glue up. 4/4 premium 100bf $4/bf, 4/4 #1 100bf $3/bf, 4/4 #2 100bf $2/bf. Link where I found it: http://www.paulowniatrees.org/links.htm "

Quote:

i wanna give my 9 9 clark blank a 2inch wide balsa stringer before it gets shaped instead of the 3/8 basswood one. where can i get balsa this long and wide?of do i glue up a bunch of smll pieces to get the lenght i need

I’ve been unable to find any dimensional balsa >36" long. There is Decolite (composite balsa with a very thin FRP or wood veneer “skin”) but I don’t think you’ll want to go there. A 4’x8’ panel at this kind of thickness goes for over $250 and 10’ is a special order - some distributor would need to break a case of 10 ea. You might consider scarfing or finger jointing the 3’ lengths of plain balsa and then laminating a full-length ~1/8"W 10’L strip of some other wood on either side. That way the flanking pieces could take most of the actual bending loads. You could probably find a wood that would blend with the balsa cosmetically, although I think a contrasting wood could look very cool…

-Samiam

http://www.specializedbalsa.com/products/index.php

I think I remember being able to get special order lengths from these guys.

Rider,

Try: www.nationalbalsa.com

They have 2x4x48" - nothing wider - but with some creative scarf joining to get the rocker it will do. About $9.20 + shipping.

Did an online order on Sat. got UPS on Tues.

Just watch out for wider stock. Ordered some 1/2x6x48 and it’s made of 3 pcs. edge glued and the color consistancy isn’t too great.

Pete

Rider,

Try: www.nationalbalsa.com

They have 2x4x48" - nothing wider - but with some creative scarf joining to get the rocker it will do. About $9.20 + shipping.

Did an online order on Sat. got UPS on Tues.

Just watch out for wider stock. Ordered some 1/2x6x48 and it’s made of 3 pcs. edge glued and the color consistancy isn’t too great.

Pete