Balsa is a soft wood that can be easily cut and shaped with a craft knife and sandpaper.
What you need
- A cutting mat
- Sandpaper
- A metal safety rule
- A craft knife, such as a scalpel, ACM knife, utility knife or similar
Cutting balsa sheets
Hold the safety rule firmly on the balsa and gently score across the sheet to establish the cut line. Then work your way through the balsa until you have cut all the way through.
Watch out for the grain
When you cut along the grain, the cut line may want to run off line with the grain. It is very important to gently establish the cut line first to prevent this.
Cutting balsa rods
Taking care, roll the blade of your knife across the rod until you have established the cut line. Then gently work your way through, rolling the rod as you go.
Sanding
You may need to tidy the edge of your balsa. Wrap a piece of sandpaper around a sanding block. Place the balsa so it projects slightly over the edge of your workbench, and gently sand the surface flat.
