Who’s got it, stateside… http://www.hollowsurfboards.com
See the link below. Also http://www.sustainablelumber.com/lumber.html and try a search for ‘paulownia’ here; http://www.woodplanet.com/ http://www.paulowniasupply.com/
Paul besides surfing my real job is a forester and I could give you a bit of information about the wood where to find it and as many characteristics that you might want to know about it. It would serve as a really interesting medium to use it surfboard building but you will pay dearly for it$$$$$. Super light and very tool friendly but there as some down sides.
Paul, WoodenBoat magazine has a forum where this wood has been discussed. Not sure if the link will work. If not, run a search on the site in the “Building/Repair” section. As I recall there was a difference of opinion as to appropriate uses of this wood. By the way, that new board of yours looks great, however I still think the frame is a piece of art. Take care. Patrick http://http://media5.hypernet.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi
Paul, Paulownia Supply in Florida, http://www.paulowniasupply.com/ I am in the process of building a series and have found Royal Paulownia very good for shaping and capturing the vintage patina. My search for consistency and similarity to balsa harvested in the olden days landed me on the shores of Paulownia. It has a higher modulus than balsa and is any where from 2/3 to 1X the weight of balsa. Cost is comparable. I have enjoyed your webite. Regards, TB
I just checked the Solarbo web site (the link I sent you) and they are claiming bulk lumber at 7 lb/CF, while the Paulownia site is saying 10 lb/CF and claiming it is lighter than balsa. Can you or anyone else clear this up for me?
Paulownia has a lower specific gravity than Balsa so in turn its a little lighter but you’re splitting hairs. Thats just my two cents. But I find it kinds strange that they are selling it by the cu.ft. rather than the board ft.b/c 10 bucks a board foot would make alot more sense. If you get it for 10$ a cubic foot thats a pretty good deal.
Eze, I’m courious about the downsides. What can you tell us?
I think that reads 10 POUNDS per cubic foot. Density varies within the same species depending on growing conditions. I think balsa ranges from something like 4 - 24 lbs/cu ft. Average Paulownia ranges 14 - 19 lbs/cu. One website says Paulownia soaks up less epoxy when finished so a weight savings may be realized there. There is a photo of a Paulownia board made in Australia at the link below. After the Adobe document opens, scroll down to page 2. http://www.kiripark.com.au/artwork/Other/PDF/EFF_winter_2001.pdf
Tom Wegener’s woodboards are made of Paulownia. See link below.David. http://www.tomwegenersurfboards.com/site/woodboards_page.htm