Filler Blocks

[Jimz66]

Is it okay to use Balsa rather then basswood for filler blocks? I am starting with the Fair American and the Armed Virginia Sloop from Model Shipways. Does it really matter if I use one or the other? I have a very limited tool supply and no power tools yet. So I was hoping to use the balsa for that. Especially in the bow where I have to shape everything correctly. I wasn't sure if that was okay or not thanks. 

[neilf]

I used balsa blocks in the bow and stern of my Charles Morgan and it worked well. Just take your time shaping it so you don't rip chunks out of it.

Edited January 14, 2015 by neil f.

[Pete Jaquith]

Jim,

 

Basswood will give you a firmer base for planking.  It can be faired easly with #60 grit sandpaper and large hardwood dowels (1" & 1.5" dia.).

 

Regards,

Pete

[GuntherMT]

I used both on the AVS, and I will not use balsa in the future, as I find it did very little to help me.  The basswood offers a very nice base for pinning to when planking, whereas the balsa was about the same as the areas without anything between the bulkheads.  It does give you a 'shape' of course, so if that's all you want then balsa is fine, but I found the basswood easier to work with all around.

 

I did not use any power tools to shape the basswood, just hand saw to rough shape, X-acto type blades and sandpaper.

[wq3296]

Greetings Jimz66,

 

Yes use the basswood. It can be easily shaped with hand tools. I don't think you will be happy with balsa.

 

wq3296

[Jimz66]

Ok basswood it is. Thanks fellas. 

[hornet]

I have used balsa as filler blocks. I found it worked better for pinning planks into if several coats of thinned wood glue were soaked into it and allowed to dry first. This made it a firmer base.