Balsa Wood
Balsa Wood - 1 9/16" / 1 9/16" / 23 5/8" is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Balsa Wood
Description
Description
Balsa
Scientific Name: Ochroma pyramidale
Origin: Tropical regions of the Americas; also grown on plantations
Average Weight: 9 lbs/ft3 (150 kg/m3)
Common Uses: Buoys, rafts, surfboards, model airplanes, musical instruments, packing/transport cases, core stock in sandwich laminations, and fishing lures.
Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a pale reddish brown color, though it is not commonly seen in commercial lumber. Most boards/blocks of Balsa are from the sapwood, which is a white to off-white or tan color, sometimes with a pink or yellow hue.
Shrinkage:
Radial: 2.3%
Tangential: 6.0%
Volumetric: 8.5%
T/R Ratio: 2.6
Workability: Generally very easy to work with virtually no dulling effect on cutters; yet because of its extremely low density, fuzzy surfaces can be a problem when using dull cutters. Balsa generally should not be used to hold nails, with glue being the preferred method of joining. Balsa stains and finishes well, though it has a tendency to soak up large quantities of material on the initial coats.
Density: Janka Hardness: 67 lbf - For comparison: White Pine 420 lbf - Black Cherry 1,260 lbf
