CoreyH Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 I just started making crankbaits a month or so ago and I've been using PVC trimboard. I'm going to continue to use PVC as well, but I bought a block of basswood from Menards and decided to try using it last night. I really enjoyed shaping it and sanding it. There's something about working with the wood instead of the PVC that I just like better. Anyway, when I was originally looking for balsa, I only found the basswood blocks at the places I stopped (Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, Walmart). I'd like to try balsa (who knows, maybe I'll like the basswood better), but just don't know if there's a good place online that carries it? I see some listed on Amazon but just wasn't sure if there was somewhere better to get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goolies Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 I bought mine from midwestproducts.com and balsawoodinc.com. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyH Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Thanks for the suggestions. I checked both of those places, but neither place has balsa in stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goolies Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Well, dang. Hopefully someone else has a source. I have also bought Midwest Products Balsa at Hobby Lobby. It was expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyH Posted February 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 Yeah, it's never a good sign when a company named Balsa Wood Inc. can't find any balsa to sell. I haven't checked Hobby Lobby yet, so maybe I'll try there. I'm not looking for a bunch of it, just a block to try and make a few lures from to see how I like it compared to the basswood. But if I like it, it would be nice to know of a place that sells it at a decent price and has it in stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goolies Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 In my limited experience with Balsa it appears that the density can vary greatly. I would recommend weighing any blocks you purchase and calculating the density before you start making lures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 19, 2020 Report Share Posted February 19, 2020 For just trying it out Hobby lobby or Michaels's have it. Take a coupon and not too bad. It almost always on the lower density range from my experiences. I believe I ordered from National balsa in the past. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyH Posted February 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2020 Thanks. I'll try getting some from Hobby Lobby and go from there. As always, I appreciate the help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcromerangler Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 Balsa USA is great supplier. They often have medium/high density in stock which is what you want in building a plug..... Easy ordering over the phone. I've tried National Balsa etc. but they often send low density and it is like a sponge and extremely hard to deal with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyH Posted February 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 1 hour ago, jcromerangler said: Balsa USA is great supplier. They often have medium/high density in stock which is what you want in building a plug..... Easy ordering over the phone. I've tried National Balsa etc. but they often send low density and it is like a sponge and extremely hard to deal with. That's good information to have. Never having done anything with balsa, I always thought you wanted the low density for maximum buoyancy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juice780 Posted February 21, 2020 Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 I’ve ordered from specializedbalsa.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoreyH Posted February 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2020 Thanks for the suggestion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcromerangler Posted February 24, 2020 Report Share Posted February 24, 2020 On 2/21/2020 at 9:25 AM, CoreyH said: That's good information to have. Never having done anything with balsa, I always thought you wanted the low density for maximum buoyancy. If you can make low density fit your production process that's great however it is very weak therefore drilling balast holes hook hangers and lip is a nightmare haha. Medium density to high is still way more buoyant than any plastic manufactured bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
