can you use balsa wood

**mike** · 08-16-2007

just wondering if it was possible? for sections where the wood isnt under strain or load could balsa wood be used instead? would keep weight to a minimum

**PNL** · 08-18-2007

Hmmmm - going a bit overboard in weight loss here maybe ???

**mike** · 08-18-2007

lol sorry should have said. if doing a boot ice install could you use it. ;)

**PNL** · 08-18-2007

Hmmm - I'd go for a light marine ply myself.
Not heavy and bloody strong ;)

**mike** · 08-18-2007

you would use that for the frame? 1" x 1" pieces?

**PNL** · 08-18-2007

Believe it or not but I read some
where that some grades of balsa woods are classified as hardwoods ..the ones I used many years ago were very strong ..I used to make fishing floats and designed a few of my own ..one pattern was even stolen by a profession angler and he made a fortune out of it >:( my own fault I should have patterned it :-[

**Arminusa** · 08-18-2007

If your using balsa for speaker enclosures then definetly not. But if your using it for the reasons you gave i.e no load, or weight, then i'd say ok.

But balsa wood contains no accoustic properties due to its not dense or heavy enough. The adavntage of the weight problem is that theres less vibrations, therefore better sound, but balsa wood will shake itself to bits from the vibrations.

**Coliansi** · 08-18-2007

[quote author=anthonytutton link=topic=316.msg2019#msg2019 date=1187452025]
But balsa wood contains no accoustic properties due to its not dense or heavy enough. The adavntage of the weight problem is that theres less vibrations, therefore better sound, but balsa wood will shake itself to bits from the vibrations.
[/quote]

A good point, sound quality is paramount for an install anyway, stick to MDF.