Weight reference charts?

[KevinW]

Does anyone out there know of a site with reference charts showing the weights of different woods?

I am looking for information like a sq. yd. of 1/64 ply vs a sq. yd. of 1/32 balsa or one yd. 1/4 x 1/4 balsa vs one yd. 1/4 x 1/4 basswood.

Maybe an airplane or sailplane site would be so into the technical aspects that they would put together something like this.

Kevin W.

[AndyKunz]

NO CAN DO.

Balsa can go from about 4 pounds/cu foot to 12 or more! I usually get 4-8 pound stuff, and 8 pounds is like buliding it from oak it's so strong.

Birch, maple, and others are less variable but are still not a constant.

I weigh wood with a gram scale to select the lightest woods for certain parts, and to match wood weights such as for wing spars. Balancing the wooden spar is common too...

There's a lot more to it than the weight. You need to get similar grain (which will make for similar bending torques) etc.

And not all pieces of wood that are 1/16" will be .0625" either - there are way too many variables.

Sorry.

Andy

[AndyKunz]

Table is now posted at http://www.users.fast.net/~montana.

Please use the related thread on the Builders Forum for more discussion.

Andy

[KevinW]

Thanks Andy.

It is obvious that a desent, low-range scale and alot of patience (in sorting through balsa sheets, sticks, etc.) are required for getting the maximum payoff. Big weight savings are there but, they don't come easy.

Kevin W.

[AndyKunz]

It really doesn't take too much time.

When I get wood in, I weigh each piece and write that down in real tiny letters on one corner. Then I sort each thickness by weight. I got an 80-sheet order a couple weeks ago and had it sorted in about 20 minutes.

It's something that can be done by one of your kids, too, so it doesn't require direct involvement.

Andy