| Many hobbies involve building, carving, or wood burning | | | | Model railroaders can use balsa for scratch-building |
| which require speciality woods. These hobby and craft | | | | houses and other structures, bridges, and structural |
| woods are available for just about any purpose. | | | | support for scenery.Basswood, or linden, is another |
| Hobbyists may choose from balsa, basswood, | | | | wood crafters and hobbyists find very useful. This |
| plywood, walnut, cherry, maple, among others for their | | | | North American wood is grown primarily in northern |
| project needs. Sheets or strips of these fine woods | | | | Michigan and Wisconsin. Heavier than balsa, it shares |
| are available in thicknesses from 1/32 " to one inch, | | | | many of it's characteristics - close-grained, strong, and |
| and in widths from 1/16 through six inches. You may | | | | lightweight. Basswood's hobby uses mirror those of |
| purchase either sheets or strips.Balsa is the most | | | | balsa, but its heavier weight limits its use in building |
| versatile of the hobby woods. Native to South | | | | model airplanes. Because it carves easily, it is the |
| America, these sixty foot trees are grown on large | | | | premier choice for both beginning and advanced |
| plantations. The wood is lightweight and strong. South | | | | woodcarvers. Novice wood burners will also find |
| Americans have been using balsa for boat and raft | | | | basswood friendly, as it burns well. Like balsa, it is |
| building since antiquity. Anyone who can recall Thor | | | | available in strips and sheets. Additionally, specialty |
| Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki adventures will know of his | | | | shapes for dollhouse building include molding, siding, and |
| successful attempt to reach the Polynesian Islands | | | | roof shingles.Special project needs may require the |
| from South America on a balsa raft.Balsa's fine grain | | | | use of hobby plywood. This extremely high quality |
| combined with its strength and light weight have made | | | | plywood ranges in thickness from paper thin 1/32 of an |
| it valuable for a great number of uses. Its heat | | | | inch to 1/4 inch. Birch is the wood used, so it can take |
| retention ability has made it useful for insulating | | | | any stain desired. It is very durable and suitable for |
| refrigerator and ship holds. It is used in aircraft to | | | | many uses.Other woods are available for specialized |
| reduce vibration. Surfboards and life preservers have | | | | hobby projects, including walnut, maple, cherry, and |
| also been manufactured from balsa wood.Crafters | | | | mahogany. Twenty four inch lengths include both strips |
| and hobbyists will find balsa very easy to cut and | | | | and sheets. The maximum width for sheets is four |
| carve, making it ideal for a multitude of projects. It can | | | | inches.Basswood and balsa are the most commonly |
| also be painted or stained any color the hobbyist | | | | available hobby/craft woods. Other types may need |
| desires. Its greatest value for hobbyists is undoubtedly | | | | to be special ordered from your local craft or hobby |
| in the construction of model airplanes. Free flight , | | | | shop. Check out the selection today for all your project |
| control line, and radio control aircraft are all made | | | | needs.Paul Wonning is the owner of |
| primarily from balsa wood. Other uses for this versatile | | | | Toys, Hobbies and a web site which has information |
| wood include model boat building and dollhouse | | | | about many hobbies and crafts. |
| construction, as well as many other craft projects. | | | | |