Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBalsa Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Balsa is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameOchroma pyramidale
Janka hardness67 lbf
Average dried weight9 lb/ft³
Best fitFishing lures
Overview
Why choose Balsa?
Balsa is an imported specialty hardwood. Native to tropical parts of the Americas; also plantation-grown. Common uses include fishing lures, core stock for sandwich laminations, packing and shipping cases, musical instruments, model airplanes, surfboards, rafts and buoys.
Scientific nameOchroma pyramidale
DistributionNative to tropical parts of the Americas; also plantation-grown
ShrinkageRadial: 2.3%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 8.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.6
DurabilityThe sapwood is perishable and open to insect attack.
Balsa colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a pale reddish brown but seldom appears in commercial lumber. Most balsa boards and blocks come out of the sapwood, which can be white, off-white or tan and sometimes has a pink or yellow tint.
Balsa is straight-grained. The texture is medium to coarse, and the natural luster is low.
Working notes
Balsa is very easy to work and barely dulls cutters. Because it is so light, dull blades can leave fuzzy surfaces. It holds nails poorly, so glue is the better way to join it.
Serious reactions are rare, but skin irritation has been reported from balsa.
Balsa should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Balsa
Best projects
Common uses include fishing lures, core stock for sandwich laminations, packing and shipping cases, musical instruments, model airplanes, surfboards, rafts and buoys.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Balsa from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Balsa FAQ
What is Balsa best used for?
Common uses include fishing lures, core stock for sandwich laminations, packing and shipping cases, musical instruments, model airplanes, surfboards, rafts and buoys. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Balsa beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Balsa?
The buying section on this page links to any Balsa Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.