Balsawood
(Click on an Item Photo for the net sizes)
DESCRIPTION: A pale white to gray, nondescript wood, with little grain pattern. It has a distinct velvety feel. It is never bought for its appearance, but rather its exceptional strength to weight characteristics. It is the lightest & softest wood on the commercial market, although not the lightest wood in the world. Can weigh as little as 4lbs per cubic ft. Finishes easily with standard water based paints, or varnishes. May fuzz after first coat & require fine sanding.
COUNRTY OF ORIGIN: South & Central America. Most of the model grade stock comes from Ecuador on the West Coast of South America.
BOTANICAL NAME: Ochroma pyramidale
USES: Overwhelmingly used in model aircraft building & in architectural/engineering models of many sorts. In fact it is used in any type of model building where it is important to have a wood that is light and/or easily cut & shaped with hand tools.... in the classroom & the office. Has been used in many applications that required high levels of floatation, life-saving equipment, floats, rafts etc. as well as insulation & in sound absorption applications.
JANKA HARDNESS: 88-100
