Solar Freaks

This is a new board ive put up to help all those in the AIMSC event stay in contact, ask questions, discuss things or whatever.

Register, and contribute, and we can all help the community.

Cheers.

Hi, I'm from St patricks college and I was just wondering how to curve balsa wood. I've heard that you have to wet it or something but I'm not to sure.

Cheers

Welcome Deus.

Good to see a fellow Tasmanian on here every once in a while. I look forward to seeing what St Pats will come up with this year.

The answer to your question about curving balsa probably depends on what type of curve you are after.

If you are after just a simple 2D curve that isn't too extreme, then selecting out a thin and flexible sheet of dry balsa should be adequate.
The 2009 test car that has been posted in another topic on this website used a flexible 0.8mm thick sheet of dry balsa for the curve at the front of the car. To strengthen this section, some cross-grain laminations were then used on the inside of the bend.

Laminating thin strips of balsa together allow thicker curved beams to be constructed without great difficulty.

If you are after more extreme curves or a curve around multi-directional axes (3D or compound curve), a little more effort and time is needed.

As you have pointed out, soaking balsa in water, or sometimes in a chemical solution, is a common technique used. Using steam is also an option. When saturated, the balsa is then pinned, taped, clamped, whatever, in the desired shape and allowed to dry. Once dry, it is then be ready to glue.

Most of my past cars have been designed to use only moderate 2D curves and so I will not pretend to be an expert on the compound ones. Rather, I would suggest that you have a bit of a look around on the net. RC forums are generally a useful place to go when seeking out this kind of information.

Good luck this year,

miseli