Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:53:47 -0500 From: conradhartz-AT-islc.net To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Subject: [Puptcrit] Basswood again Basswood is classified as a hard wood. Yet, it is a very lightweight wood. This is ideal for puppet making. Basswood was used a lot in the past as the skeletal brace in kitchen cabinets because it is so light. I have been carving puppets with it since 1979 and it is wonderful to work with. If you make tiny shoes of basswood........you may need some weights added under the shoe for balance. These can be puttyed in with plastic wood, etc. Now, this is important..........when you go to a lumber yard........generally, basswood comes in various widths and lengths. I get 3/4" boards thick boards approx. 6' in width. I glue pieces with Elmer's Professional glue as needed. Now........when looking at basswood boards........you need to look at the color of the boards. You want the whitest ones you can find. They are super lightweight. The more pinker color...the nearer to the heart of the tree. A good white or cream color is tops. It IS expensive per board foot. This is why I usually get 6" wide boards as they figure a board foot and then divide it in half. Simple to figure. This is why I mentioned the pallets in the other email at Sears........free legs, hands and arms to say the least. You can tell if the pallet is basswood because of the fuzzy sides of the cut wood and the lightness. Ah.....and yes.......the smell of basswood.......something similar to wee wee.........(:o) Conrad Conrad Hartz....Professional Puppets in Wood 3140 Clydesdale Circle S., Beaufort, SC 29906 http://www.geocities.com/conradhartz/mypage.html http://bellsouthpwp.net/g/k/gkoepke/hartz 1-843-525-6352 ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. Provided by ISLC http://www.islc.net _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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