Craft And Hobby Woods - Basswood - Balsa Wood and Others

Many hobbies involve building, carving, or wood burning which require speciality woods. These hobby and craft woods are ready for just about any purpose. Hobbyists may pick from balsa, basswood, plywood, walnut, cherry, maple, among others for their project needs. Sheets or strips of these fine woods are ready in thicknesses from 1/32 " to one inch, and in widths from 1/16 straight through six inches. You may buy either sheets or strips.

Balsa is the most versatile of the hobby woods. Native to South America, these sixty foot trees are grown on large plantations. The wood is lightweight and strong. South Americans have been using balsa for boat and raft construction since antiquity. Anything who can recall Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki adventures will know of his prosperous endeavor to reach the Polynesian Islands from South America on a balsa raft.

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Balsa's fine grain combined with its strength and light weight have made it primary for a great number of uses. Its heat keeping capability has made it useful for insulating refrigerator and ship holds. It is used in aircraft to cut vibration. Surfboards and life preservers have also been man-made from balsa wood.

Crafters and hobbyists will find balsa very easy to cut and carve, development it ideal for a multitude of projects. It can also be painted or stained any color the hobbyist desires. Its most value for hobbyists is categorically in the construction of model airplanes. Free flight , control line, and radio control aircraft are all made primarily from balsa wood. Other uses for this versatile wood include model boat construction and dollhouse construction, as well as many other craft projects. Model railroaders can use balsa for scratch-building houses and other structures, bridges, and structural reserve for scenery.

Basswood, or linden, is another wood crafters and hobbyists find very useful. This North American wood is grown primarily in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Heavier than balsa, it shares many of it's characteristics - close-grained, strong, and lightweight. Basswood's hobby uses mirror those of balsa, but its heavier weight limits its use in construction model airplanes. Because it carves easily, it is the premier choice for both starting and developed woodcarvers. Novice wood burners will also find basswood friendly, as it burns well. Like balsa, it is ready in strips and sheets. Additionally, specialty shapes for dollhouse construction include molding, siding, and roof shingles.

Special project needs may require the use of hobby plywood. This very high capability plywood ranges in thickness from paper thin 1/32 of an inch to 1/4 inch. Birch is the wood used, so it can take any stain desired. It is very durable and convenient for many uses.

Other woods are ready for specialized hobby projects, along with walnut, maple, cherry, and mahogany. Twenty four inch lengths include both strips and sheets. The maximum width for sheets is four inches.

Basswood and balsa are the most ordinarily ready hobby/craft woods. Other types may need to be special ordered from your local craft or hobby shop. Check out the choice today for all your project needs.

Craft And Hobby Woods - Basswood - Balsa Wood and Others

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