HOW LIGHT IS KILN DRIED BALSA WOOD?
Finished balsa wood, like you find in model airplane kits, varies widely in weight. Balsa is occasionally found weighing as little as 4 lbs. per cu. ft. On the other hand, you can also find balsa which will weigh 24 lbs. or more per cu. ft. However, the general run of commercial balsa for model airplanes will weigh between 6 lbs. to 18 lbs. per cu. ft. Eight to twelve lb. balsa is considered medium or average weight, and is the most plentiful. Six pounds or less is considered “contest grade”, which is very rare and sometimes even impossible to obtain. The lighter the wood is in colour the softer the wood is. Dark coloured balsa can be quite hard.
