POB FILLERS BETWEEN BULKHEADS , what’s the best wood to fill in the blanks!

[JoeMacD]

I thinking a head for my future builds and I am wondering what wood would best fill in the space between the bulkheads, easily sanded and carved but not too soft ! 

[mtaylor]

Given your parameters... probably basswood or in the UK, limewood.

[tlevine]

Since the structural strength is in your bulkheads, even balsa would work.  It isn't necessary to fill in the entire space between the bulkheads.  If you can pick up some pine from one of the big box stores, that would work well.

 

[JeffT]

I've used balsa and it works well

[Jim Rogers]

Filling the area between bullheads is not needed for strength but it sure helps with planking.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Common construction pine would be my choice for this application.  Here in the USA construction quality lumber is graded SPF- Spruce, Pine, Fir.  I would dig through the pile to select a piece of pine.  Spruce is white, soft, and has a distinct and unpleasant smell.  Fir has a distinctive grain.  Pine has a nice tight, not particularly prominent grain and a light color.  An 8’ 1”x4” should be plenty unless you are building a model of the Great Eastern or Titanic.  You don’t need select grade as you can scrap areas with knots.

 

Before fiberglass, pine was the choice of the professional model builders that built the ship hull models to be towed in experimental test tanks.  
 

Roger

 

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by Roger Pellett

[JoeMacD]

Thank you all for your great advice! 

 

I think they are all great suggestion and i thank you all for your help in this matter!

Edited March 31, 2023 by JoeMacD