wood

#1 10-27-2003, 05:24 PM

does anyone know of a super light yet super strong type of wood to carve? I am looking for a type of wood to carve a structure for school outu of and i need ot keep it as light as possible while maintaining structural integrity. reply ASAP, thank you.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #2 10-27-2003, 05:28 PM

I would think you will have to describe a little of what you want to build?

#3 10-27-2003, 05:30 PM

Well it needs to be a solid structure at least 7.5' tall but weigh no more than 16 grams and support as weight as possible. Knowing that the most structurally sound geometric figure is a triangle it would probably be based off the geometry of triangles. so basically, light and strong.

AlArchie · #4 10-27-2003, 05:37 PM

I'd suggest balsa; it's known as being light, but is suprisingly strong in compression along the longitudianl axis.

White pine is also quite stong for it's weight. You would need to rip it into thin strips, but if you have acces to a small table saw or band saw that shouldn't be a problem. Pine is what they use for kite sticks, so kite sticks might be a source of small pine sticks.

Al

#5 10-27-2003, 05:43 PM

I am looking for wood that can be found in solid blocks, so that i reduce the risk of destroying the structural integrity with joints.

lorax · #6 10-27-2003, 05:47 PM

I would go with yellow pine if you need strength, alittle more weight but not much.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 10-27-2003, 07:13 PM

I thought a circle or arch was the strongest form??

don · #8 10-27-2003, 11:29 PM

Surfing the web last week and came across a wood called Paulownia. The site I was on was touting it as better than balsa for strength to weight ratio. Try http://www.paulowniawood.com/ and it will give you all the info . Claims to be carveable but I have never tried it.
:-D Don

woodenleg · #9 10-30-2003, 03:31 PM

Great answer Don.

Until he came up with that, I was thinking of putting some paper spools (like those at the core of the paper towels) inside a balsa outer shell. That would be very strong & light and look like it was wood.

16 grams doesn't seem like much weight. I can't think of any wood that would be that light. Yellow pine would be a little on the heavy side, I would think. Isn't 16 gr. about a half ounce?

We don't have much information. Are you making a class project? a model? or what?