Balsa wood float

[AlexF]

I remember seing an article on making a float out of Balsa Wood, but can't find it in all the searches I have done. Has anyone seen this article that could provide directions.

Thanks

 

[JPPLAY]

I wouldn't use Balsa wood for anything spearfishing related as it rather weak and if something sharp or hard hits it will get damaged. Might work as a float but a proper size one would be expensive.

 

[Yidaki]

Hi AlexF,

As long as u cover with fiberglass-cloth or at least with resin, u can get stronger floater..But, forgetten little tiny hole at this process, it's gonna be problem in the future. Coz, by the time balsa sucks the water like sponge but good advantage using balsa is gettin lightweight product at the end..So, to make sure cover it up well..

For the floater, the shape and size depends on u...

Good Luck,
Burak

 

[AlexF]

These instructions I was looking for said to apply gel coat to the wood.

The wood is expensive though, even purchased rough and un planed.

Another option would be to use Divinycell, has anyone tried this?

Alex

 

[Huan]

Divinylcell HCP is the stuff they make tuna floats from. They are designed to be taken down to serious depths and not implode hence High Crush Point.
I believe that a few of the serious gunmakers in the states make Divinycell floats.

 

[Mr. X]

Is Divinycell what Rob Allen use on their solid floats?

I saw the balsa float article too, this might be it: http://www.2xtreme.net/~kbickel/equipment/floats.html

[By the way, I had previously heard that balsa is expensive & a good tone wood ... at least that is what Gibson claimed when Les Paul owners noticed cheese-like holes when their guitar were X-rayed at airports. Apparently they were drilling out holes to lighten over heavy mahogany bodies (apparently silica content can greatly effect its density) and then filling them with lightweight balsa wood. The cavities are invisible externally]

 

[AlexF]

That was the article I had read, thanks a lot.

I'm also looking at the Divinycell HCP, has anyone had any experience with it? Which of the Divinycell qualities to use, 30 (12.5Lbs/cubic feet), 50 (15.6Lbs/cubic feet), 70 (18.8Lbs/cubic feet), 90 (22.5Lbs/cubic feet) or 100 (25.0Lbs/cubic feet)? What size should the board be, how thick? Do you have to apply epoxi coating or fiberglass to the outside, or just glue the boards and they are ready?

Alex