Grain Selection?

[ben_beyer]

So, at lonestar balsa, they offer grain selection on sheets of balsa. I'm buying some AAA 4-6 lbs. sheets so what does this mean to me and should I have them select for grain?

[MODE 1]

All I do is say I want this size wood and this type of grade soft, med or hard. I order more than needed cuz you always get a few sheets that are not what your after.
Theres only 2 types of grain i know of quarter and standard aaa is standard or straight grain. 4-6 is the weight by cubic foot.

[ben_beyer]

Anyone else know of the specifics of grain?

[SLC]

I don't know how to create a link but if you go to the sig manufacturing web site ( sigmfg.com ) and look under information and videos, you will find a section called facts about balsa wood that will answer your question

Sam Chest

[billd3]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ben_beyer
	So, at lonestar balsa, they offer grain selection on sheets of balsa. I'm buying some AAA 4-6 lbs. sheets so what does this mean to me and should I have them select for grain?

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Lonestar Balsa is up and running again? Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[louu]

i have a question about balsa sheeting. imm building a big kit and on the fuse it tells me to use 1/8 thick balsa sheets and it seems to me, the sheets with less dark spots bend easyer, is this true or am i losing my mind.? is the dark spots like knots or something? imm not shure if what i just said even makes sense.

[MODE 1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by louu
	i have a question about balsa sheeting. imm building a big kit and on the fuse it tells me to use 1/8 thick balsa sheets and it seems to me, the sheets with less dark spots bend easyer, is this true or am i losing my mind.? is the dark spots like knots or something? imm not shure if what i just said even makes sense.

Those spots are actually the first stages of rot setting in. They're caused by New Guinea pygmies and some cannibal tribes practicing with their blow pipes. The dart penetrates the balsa tree and when removed water seeps in causing fungal rot of the tree. It can be cured by sticking a band aid on the trees wound immediately after being shot but hey the jungles a bad place for shopping malls when you need something.

[wesryman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MODE 1
	Those spots are actually the first stages of rot setting in. They're caused by New Guinea pygmies and some cannibal tribes practicing with their blow pipes. The dart penetrates the balsa tree and when removed water seeps in causing fungal rot of the tree. It can be cured by sticking a band aid on the trees wound immediately after being shot but hey the jungles a bad place for shopping malls when you need something.

[louu]

imm gona tell the tree huggers about this!!! theyll take care of those jumpin jackers... then well have nice smooth airplanes

[billd3]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ben_beyer
	Anyone else know of the specifics of grain?

Here's the link you are looking for: http://www.mat.uc.pt/~pedro/ncientif...s/techbal.html

BTW: those dark blotches are, as I understand it, just stains and usually doesn't affect the quality of the wood, just the appearance. I have been buying this extra light "stained wood" from National Balsa and it's no different that the all white wood, just not a pretty...Quite a bit cheaper too.