Basswood or plywood?

[Tbaba13]

Can basswood be used for MPR applications or should plywood be used?

 

[dr wogz]

Yes, although you need to think about the application. (how long, how far back, teh shape, glue method, if TTW, etc..

Basswood is a single cut plank of 'stronger' wood than traditional Balsa. it'll still break along the grain.. But is lighter than ply

Ply is layers of good hard wood (typically Birch) with alternating layer for added strength & stiffness.. Less likely to warp or curl but is heavier.. But you could use a thinner sheet of ply than a single sheet of Basswood..


TTW = Thru the wall, where the fin has a tab that goes thru the body tube and glues to the motor mount. Most high-end kits have this feature these days.

 

[Nytrunner]

Can basswood be used for MPR applications or should plywood be used?

Hybrid approach! 1/8 balsa core sandqiched between some 1/16 basswood! Make your own super light plywood

 

[CoachSteve]

I have done this - makes amazingly strong fins, especially if you then paper the ply as well. Just be sure to run the core grain one way and the basswood grain the other . Also, heavy weight on top of your ply for a week or so yeilds a nice flat piece of wood with no warping.

 

[jqavins]

Can basswood be used for MPR applications or should plywood be used?

There's a tendency in our hobby to overbuild anything that doesn't come in an Estes bag. Think twice about your application, and consider that balsa may well be just fine.

Hybrid approach! 1/8 balsa core sandqiched between some 1/16 basswood! Make your own super light plywood

I'm intrigued. What is this "sandquich" you speak of?

 

[dr wogz]

I'm intrigued. What is this "sandquich" you speak of?

Bigfoot's distant cousin (twice removed)..

that would be a funny 'north west wilderness comedy cops show': "Sasquatch & Sandquinch: Backwoods law"