balsa

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BALSA

Ochroma spp.

Balsa is by far the least dense and most soft of all readily available woods. It is in a class all by itself in this regard. Although technically a hardwood, this is the softest of all woods and is in fact so soft and light that it is useless for "normal" wood usage (furniture, construction, etc.) but is outstandingly useful for model-making, especially working models of boats and planes. A uniform light tan color with straight even grain. Can be worked with a razor blade or "exacto" knife, either of which will cut right through it and leave a very clean surface. Sanding should be done only with very fine grit and a light touch.

my samples:
NOTE: these pics were all taken in very bright incandescent lighting ("soft white" at 2700K)
colors will vary under other lighting conditions

both sides of a sample plank of balsa / Ochroma lagopus --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by David Clark whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.

end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above

plank and end grain

end grain closeup of the piece directly above

plank and small piece and end grain of the larger piece

end grain closeup and END GRAIN UPDATE of the piece directly above --- BOTH shots are off a bit on the color. The closeup should be more white and less pink and the update should be more white and less greenish

both sides of a sample plank of balsa plywood / Ochroma pyramidale --- HUGE enlargements are present. This sample was loaned to me by Mark Peet whom I thank for this and other contributions to the site.