Turning Balsa

8/8/17, 1:41 PM #1

Jack Guzman from Maine
Member
Offline
3,329 posts

Registered: 5/9/04

Turning Balsa

Jack Guzman from Maine

I have to turn some legs for a cabinet but have no idea what they should look like so I figured I'd try something out on a piece of scrap wood. I had a 3x3 blank of balsa that someone gave me years ago. I figured I could try that.

Big mistake. That stuff needs some sharp tools. Freshly sharpened parting tool causes tearout. Roughing gouge,forget it. The only tool I could get a decent surface with was a skew.

I think I'll try something easier like knotty gnarly hardwood.---Jack

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Turning Balsa

8/8/17, 3:09 PM #2

Keith Newton
Member
Offline
3,299 posts

Registered: 6/29/05

Re: Turning Balsa

Keith Newton

Yep, those thin unsupported cell walls tend to wad up before yielding to the blade. I'll bet you could get a nice clean cut if you waited until winter then soaked it in water, then froze it, and turned it with all the doors and windows open on a cold night. ha

Re: Turning Balsa

8/8/17, 3:57 PM #3

Dennis in Southern Oregon
Member
Offline
646 posts

Registered: 3/15/06

Re: Turning Balsa

Dennis in Southern Oregon

I'd suggest that you start with a piece of pencil wood.

Re: Turning Balsa

8/8/17, 7:41 PM #4

Dick Coers
Member
Offline
5,250 posts

Registered: 8/7/07

soft maple is my experimenting wood of choice

Re: Turning Balsa

8/9/17, 1:59 PM #5

ebd
Member
Offline
701 posts

Registered: 12/19/05

Re: Turning Balsa

ebd

I always turn my prototypes (at least the first iteration) from 2" x whatever. If I need thicker/wider I just glue it up.

I do mostly simple segmented stuff. I'll cut everthing as if it was the exotics I am going to use, glue it and then turn it. Works for me.

Turning Balsa

Posts