Balsa wood and basswood are both excellent choices for model and bridge building projects, among others. A common question we hear from customers is about which one is better for them to buy. The answer will all depend on your project, budget, skill level, and end goals. Here, we’re breaking down the differences between balsa and basswood to help you make an informed decision for your classroom.
Balsa Wood
Balsa trees grow quickly and can be ready to harvest in 5-6 years. This means their wood is more easily available and therefore less expensive. Balsa wood is also extremely lightweight at 6-9 pounds per cubic foot. This light-colored wood has open pores which absorb stains, paints, and moisture in the air very easily. This is important to note because it will change the weight of your finished project whether it’s in moist or dry environments.
One of the most important factors to choosing the right wood is its strength. Compared to its weight, balsa wood is very strong. This makes it an ideal choice for homemade gliders, planes, racing yachts, dollhouses, bridges, and more. However, this also means it’s rather stiff and doesn’t bend easily which can lead to rips, splits, and splinters when cutting.
Basswood
Basswood is also soft and lightweight but it doesn’t splinter and crack the way balsa wood does. This makes it easier to bend into shape and sand down, but harder to cut through, especially when using hand tools instead of power tools. Since it is less porous than balsa, it retains its original shape better when moving between humid and dry conditions. Basswood is also more consistent in density, texture, and strength which makes it the better choice when you want uniformity in your finished project.
In general, basswood can be easier for beginners to work with since it is less forgiving. Students won’t need to compensate for loss of density or changes in weight while building. This frees up their brain power to learn the basics of building and carving without being bogged down by details and predicting how things will change over time.
Shopping for Balsa Wood and Basswood Strips
We sell both balsa wood and basswood scale lumber here at Midwest Technology Products. Choose from small strips, sheets, or large blocks of either wood type in a variety of sizes. Packaged as bundles in different quantities, you can easily restock your classroom supplies with one quick order. We also offer bass and balsa wood variety packs so you can have a little bit of everything available to your students for any type of project.
If you’d like personalized advice for your specific needs, please contact us online or call 1-800-831-5904. We can answer any questions you may have and even help find the bass or balsa wood sticks that would be ideal for your classroom if we don’t already stock them.