How do you store balsa wood so it doesn't warp?
Keep balsa flat, dry and out of sun, in the room where you build. How moisture changes weight and strength, and what to do about a bent stick.
Updated · 1 min read
Short answer: keep it flat, dry and out of direct sun, in the same room where you will build. Balsa picks up and gives off moisture, which bends it and changes its weight and strength.
- Store flat, supported along its length, not leaning in a corner.
- Keep it away from sun, heaters and damp. Humidity swings do the most damage.
- Keep the sticks in their bag or a tube until you need them.
- Build in the same room you store in, so the wood is used to the air it is in.
- Weigh close to test day. Moisture changes the mass, and estimates suggest strength can change by about 10% over ordinary humidity.
A slightly bent stick
Don't force a bent stick straight with glue, because the joint then carries a built-in stress. Use it where its curve can't matter, or choose another. A stick that is bowed visibly should be set aside for scraps and tests.