Old, really old balsa wood

[rayd]

Question...a friend graciously gave me a box of assorted balsa wood pieces, some sheets, strips, blocks, various sizes. He said they were really old....that he found the box in his cellar. Must have been stored for decades, to me....looks like maybe from the Fifties, maybe earlier. Some sixteenth inch stinger type sticks in box have green tips??? Anyone know if old balsa, though dusty, but seemingly ok otherwise, is ok to use? Any issues re strength or other? I know I've bought oldie kits on the auction sites, but usually just get 'em for plans or making a static display. Any comments re old balsa from dank environments sitting around for decades? Thanks.

[SteveM]

Older balsa is generally of better quality than what you can find these days. Even in kits from the 80's you'll find balsa that is light, strong, and has a consistent density across it. Being in a "dank" environment in a cellar might mean it was in a higher humidity that could cause the wood to warp or become a home for microorganisms. As long as the wood is still straight and clean, I would think it was just as good as it was when he put it away. If you question the strength of a piece you can measure how much it bends when force is applied then snap a piece of it. Compare those results to a piece of newer balsa that you trust.

[rayd]

Thanks for your opinion Steve..... and seems the old stuff is getting better as it stays in normal and dry room temp. You've got a point about microbes. I'm wondering about termites or insects I might have brought into our home. Hmm...but who knows, I've some stuff around from auction sites, and so far so good. Again though, thanks for response...and I think you're right about the older balsa. This is not lightweight contest grade stuff, but it looks and feels strong for balsa. May be useful for selected areas on flying models, or more for static models, or other craftsman type use.

[Bill Gaylord]

I had some balsa sheet from an old Sig kit from the early 60's, I assume. It was a bit susceptible to cracking, but then again I've bought balsa with off-grain cuts that was no better. I eventually used it all up, when I would need a bit here or bit there to finish something, and not want to wait until making a trip to the LHS for wood. The iron-on covering drastically reduces any cracking issues by turning the sheet into a composite material, and it seems fine.