Where do you buy Balsa?

[Steward]

I just bought a wood lathe for my sons (13th) birthday. He has already created several projects in wood, and I couldn't help notice, he spent way too much time, that could have been saved using a lathe. It's a nice set up.
(I might add, that I grew up in a machine shop environment.)

A quick google of balsa vendors only produced a maximum 3x3 or 3x4 inch blocks. Where do you buy larger pieces of balsa (or basswood) for larger projects?

Thanks

 

[rhickok]

https://www.nationalbalsa.com/balsa.htm

 

[rhickok]

People laminate 1" or 2" thick pieces to achieve the size they need. Be sure & check both balsa block & balsa plank listings. I've expanded 3" & 4" blocks to 5" or 6" blocks by using yellow glue & bar clamps on sides on 90 degrees apart.

I'd been looking for Superior Balsa's www when the previous message went out too soon. Can't find Superior......maybe they're gone.

Richard Hickok

 

[tbzep]

Balsa USA
National Balsa
LoneStar Balsa (recent fire)
Superior Balsa
Balsa Machining Service (along with body tubes and stuff)

 

[dwmzmm]

Get mine from Hobby Lobby sometimes.....

 

[heada]

I buy 3x3x36 balsa turning blanks from a local woodworking house https://www.northwestlumberco.com/ I also pick up 12/4 basswood there and glue up larger stuff in that. Balsa is rather hard to turn compared to basswood.

-Aaron