Balsa wood is a unique
material used in modeling and physics-based competitions. It has surprisingly
high strength, compared to its light weight and low cost. This makes it ideal
for school science projects, or home use in model tower building.
Diagram the tower using the grid paper to give you scale: one grid square
represents square inch, for example. Start with the base of your structure,
making it wide to keep the center of gravity low. Design the exterior structure.
If you are competing, don't forget the rules of the competition, but feel free
to brainstorm a little. If you are making a model of an existing tower, keep
some reference photos handy. When you have a design you like, make diagrams for
several angles of the design--at least a front, side and three-quarters-rotation
view.
Use the diagram to figure out how forces, like gravity and competition
weights, will push or pull on the tower, and imagine how that will stress the
various parts of the tower. Add a system of supports to counteract this: most
buildings are built in layers with a series of triangular trusses that hold the
structure together.
Measure, mark and cut the base pieces for your structure. Miter them if you
can, this will give more surface area to glue and make the structure hold
together more cleanly. Don't mash the wood as you cut; this will damage the
fibers of the wood and make the structure weaker.
Glue the pieces together. Hold them together until the glue is dry.
Measure and cut the next layer of pieces. Glue them onto the base, and hold
until dry. Repeat this process until you have built the tower. If you find a
weakness while building, add a strut as necessary, but stick to your diagram as
much as possible.
Leave the tower to dry overnight. Test it with a light weight, to see if the
glue is holding. If the structure has any damage, repair it and find ways to
strengthen it. For more you can visit our webiste: http://www.balsafactory.com/.
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