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misciencenerd wrote:What scores do you think will get top 5, top 10, or top 15 at the Michigan state tournament in division C?

Yikes... Im competing for Division C at states for Michigan this weekend. I would assume that above 2000 would be a medal and top 5 above 2400?

I have been using 1/16"*1/16" balsa for my bracings, but I'd like to try cutting from 1/32 sheets. A few questions (as usual):
1. What grains should I choose (A, B, or C)?
2. I should order from the light balsa category, right?
3. What widths should the balsa sheets be?
4. Is 36" for length fine?
5. Do I need a special stripper?

Thanks!

MadCow2357 wrote:I have been using 1/16"*1/16" balsa for my bracings, but I'd like to try cutting from 1/32 sheets. A few questions (as usual):
1. What grains should I choose (A, B, or C)?
2. I should order from the light balsa category, right?
3. What widths should the balsa sheets be?
4. Is 36" for length fine?
5. Do I need a special stripper?

Thanks!

I don't know about grain but
2. I would choose light or medium
3. depends on how much you need
4. yes
5. It would help if you have a balsa stripper like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airscrew- ... a+stripper

waffletree wrote:

MadCow2357 wrote:I have been using 1/16"*1/16" balsa for my bracings, but I'd like to try cutting from 1/32 sheets. A few questions (as usual):
1. What grains should I choose (A, B, or C)?
2. I should order from the light balsa category, right?
3. What widths should the balsa sheets be?
4. Is 36" for length fine?
5. Do I need a special stripper?

Thanks!

I don't know about grain but
2. I would choose light or medium
3. depends on how much you need
4. yes
5. It would help if you have a balsa stripper like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airscrew- ... a+stripper

How does the balsa stripper help, by the way?

MadCow2357 wrote:

waffletree wrote:

MadCow2357 wrote:I have been using 1/16"*1/16" balsa for my bracings, but I'd like to try cutting from 1/32 sheets. A few questions (as usual):
1. What grains should I choose (A, B, or C)?
2. I should order from the light balsa category, right?
3. What widths should the balsa sheets be?
4. Is 36" for length fine?
5. Do I need a special stripper?

Thanks!

I don't know about grain but
2. I would choose light or medium
3. depends on how much you need
4. yes
5. It would help if you have a balsa stripper like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airscrew- ... a+stripper

How does the balsa stripper help, by the way?

Helps you cut the balsa sheets into the size you want. It also depends on what you are using to cut your wood right now. If your cuts are nice and straight, you don't really need a balsa stripper until the quality of your cuts are becoming a problem. I prefer buying wood that is already cut (from specialized balsa), so I don't use balsa strippers.

waffletree wrote:

MadCow2357 wrote:

waffletree wrote:
I don't know about grain but
2. I would choose light or medium
3. depends on how much you need
4. yes
5. It would help if you have a balsa stripper like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airscrew- ... a+stripper

How does the balsa stripper help, by the way?

Helps you cut the balsa sheets into the size you want. It also depends on what you are using to cut your wood right now. If your cuts are nice and straight, you don't really need a balsa stripper until the quality of your cuts are becoming a problem. I prefer buying wood that is already cut (from specialized balsa), so I don't use balsa strippers.

I cut with a razor. Do you use 1/16" by 1/32", or 1/16" by 1/16"?

MadCow2357 wrote:

waffletree wrote:

MadCow2357 wrote: How does the balsa stripper help, by the way?

Helps you cut the balsa sheets into the size you want. It also depends on what you are using to cut your wood right now. If your cuts are nice and straight, you don't really need a balsa stripper until the quality of your cuts are becoming a problem. I prefer buying wood that is already cut (from specialized balsa), so I don't use balsa strippers.

I cut with a razor. Do you use 1/16" by 1/32", or 1/16" by 1/16"?

I use 1/16 x 1/16 but I've also used 1/16 x 1/32.
If you use a razor, you should be fine if the cuts are straight (like I said before).

Hey, does the grain classification matter?

MadCow2357 wrote:Hey, does the grain classification matter?

Not sure about grains. A and B seem fine but I am not an expert on grain classification...

You might want to go to specialty balsa web site and read their information on grain.
Remember If you have A grain on one side, the other side is C grain.

For tension members, it is not going to make any difference. It probably will make a difference in the compression members.

I am thinking very strongly about using B grain for stuff like the legs of the tower.