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Balsa is considered a hardwood.
Botanical Name: Ochroma pyramidale
Balsa has the lightest weight of any commercially used hardwood. This
property has made it a key ingredient of life rafts and a wide variety
of safety and buoyancy devices since World War II. In fact, the word
balsa means raft in Spanish. Although it is difficult to dry, once it
does it is a relatively stable and strong wood for its weight.
Other Names: Guano (Puerto Rico, Honduras); lanero (Cuba);
polak (Belize, Nicaragua); topa (Peru); tami (Bolivia).
Sources: West Indies, Central America, tropical South
America (Ecuador).
Characteristics; Straight grain; fine, velvety texture;
white to oatmeal-brown with a pinkish tint.
Uses: Model making, toys, water sports equipment and
theatrical props.
Workability: Extremely good provided blades are kept very
sharp; will not bend without buckling; little blunting of cutters.
Finishing: Accepts finishes well; absorbs a great quantity
of finishing material.
Weight: 6-16 lb./cu. ft.
Price: Moderate.
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