balsa fenders or pine fenders

Basswood works great also. Not near as soft or light as balsa, but shapes easier than pine in my opinion.
 
On my SS car 2nd Hand Smoke, I used pine fenders. They were not bad to shape and round the edges. I did like how well they painted though.
 
Anyone tested the weight difference with a CA covered Balsa and a pine fender? I'm guessing the Balsa would be lighter, but that's only a guess!!

hmm seems an easy test, don't need a fender just use the same size piece! I'll try when I get some time!
 
I've used Balsa fenders. They are quick to shape and work. As I got closer to the shape I wanted I would then CA seal them to hardened some. Shaped a little more and CA sealed them again as I neared the final shape. Once done, CA seal them again, do a final sanding and you're about good to go. At this point the fenders should be pretty well sealed, you may do it again if you need to and sand as needed. Fenders can be painted now.
 
I bought a sheet of pink-ish insulation to use for my front fenders. Seems easy enough to shape, but there may be something that ruins my latest "big idea". If someone says it won't work, you should probably listen.

Otherwise, the weight and price is small.

I bought a pair of DD4H wood fenders for the back where the weight isn't an issue.
 
I also prefer pine because it's more forgiving, you don't have to deal with CA glue, and it looks great painted. Balsa is too soft and you have to be really careful when shaping and sanding, it's so easy to make a mistake and take too much off.
 
I like to make mine from bass mainly. About twice the weight of balsa but not so sensitive to man handling. It doesnt matter though. I will make em from anything just for the heck of it.

Gee Fenders are the way to go fastest without the struggle.
 
I use balsa, just sound shape, coat then with super glue, and sand. I also have the GEE fenders and they are great for the rears and long W/B cars. I would like to see some longer front ones for short W/B cars.
 
Ok. Pine= 1X1X.24= 1.6 grams. CA balsa= .9 grams for the same exact size. Usually i'll sand and add another coat of CA through.
GEE fenders are .5 grams.
Anyone test the speed difference of the GEE fender with a good homemade fender?
 
I have made balsa fenders lighter than the GEE, but this was before I covered them with nail polish. Basswood same weight as Gee.
 
Mr Kinser, since you said you prefer to use pine, take your two pieces of wood, use spray tack to lightly glue a sheet of paper between them back to back, cut/sand to shape, split them on the paper seam with a thin putty knife, then finish sand the pair.