Basswood Uses in Model Work

Overview of Basswood's Benefits

• Basswood is stronger and sturdier than most other similar woods, like balsa. Models built out of basswood hold together even under a great deal of stress because basswood does not break apart at glued connections. This is because basswood is reasonably flexible and can bend under a heavy weight. Basswood is also uniform across an entire length of wood. While other types of wood may vary in strength or density, basswood comes in a very narrow range of strengths and densities and will be more consistent.

Bridge Arches

• Basswood's ability to bend without breaking makes it very popular for model arch bridges. It is often used to create the arch of a model bridge because it can be secured with wood glue in a bent position for a long period of time. Basswood cannot maintain sharp angles and should only be secured at a gentle slope.

Ship Hulls

• The ship hull is the curved body of a ship that rests in the water. It typically comes to a point on the front and along the bottom edge. Basswood is ideally suited for hulls because of its flexibility and ability to maintain a sharp edge. This allows the model ship builder to achieve the precision and malleability necessary for the hull.

Ship Frames and Decks

• Ship frames and decks are often crafted out of basswood. Basswood is easy to carve because it holds its shape well. Because of its small scale, model ship building requires precision and clarity of every structure. The accuracy of the ship frame is essential because the rest of the model is built off it. Model ship builders use basswood because it achieves the necessary sharpness, while still allowing a degree of flexibility. Basswood is favored for ship decks because of its sturdiness and uniformity of strength throughout.