Findint the balsa wood airplanes

Finished balsa wood weights can vary for a variety of reasons. These include the age and size of the tree, location of the trunk cut and the kiln drying process. Commercial balsa wood used formodel airplane construction typically weighs between 6 and 18 pounds per cubic foot. The most commonweights available are between 8 to 12 pounds per cubic foot. Six pounds or less is considered contest grade wood.
The strength of balsa varies in direct relation to its density or weight - the heavier the wood the stronger it is. The above chart was designed with 10 lb./cu. ft. balsa as the median. In other words, balsa at IO Ibs./cu. ft. has been tested given a value of 100. The other woods were then tested in the same way and given a figure that is numerically in proportion. By comparing the relative strength figures in the chart, it will be seen that balsa is as strong or stronger, pound for pound, than most of the species shown.
Finished balsa wood, like you find in model airplane kits, varies widely in weight. Balsa is occasionally found weighing as little as 4 lbs. per cu. ft. On the other hand, you can also find balsa which will weigh 24 lbs or more per cu. ft. However, the general run of commercial balsa for model airplanes will weigh between 6 and 18 pounds per cu. ft. Eight to twelve pound balsa is considered medium or average weight, and is the most plentiful. Six pound or less is considered "contest grade", which is very rare and sometimes even impossible to obtain.
Because the range of balsa wood densities can vary so much, a modeler must specify the types of balsa wood desired. Use the lightest grades possible for sections of your model that do not bear weight or require strength, such as nose cowls, fill-in and shaped wing tips. Select a heavier cut of wood for areas requiring strength such as wing spars, fuselage formers and stringers.
Article resource: http://www.balsafactory.com/