Ozzie Traders and Aeroflyte

Peter was right, the following statement is posted on the Ozzie Traders web site : http://www.ozzietraders.com/index.html

Click on "Pacific Balsa" link.

Quote begins
"We have recently acquired the plant and equipment from Southern Model Supplies in Adelaide - South Australia. We wish to point out that we did not acquire the trade name “AEROFLYTE”- this remains with SMS.

This plant and equipment contains all the tools and dies to continue manufacture of the SMS Kits, Glue and Dope. In addition to this we will also resurrect the kits previously manufactured by Price Rite.

In addition to adding various other lines we will also now be able to offer a custom LASER CUTTING service.
To enable us to offer the best service for Laser Cutting we will require the designs to be sent to us in CAD".

end quote

Note reference to Dope.

Hi Ray

This is very good news eh. I did hear direct from a SMS Sales Rep on Friday that they were no longer doing balsa either, but I wasn't worried by it because Pacific Balsa is the balsa that is also available at Bunnings Warehouse is it not? Makes it easy to come by, just need to take a small set of pocket scales with you to find the good stuff.

Cheers
Warren Leadbeatter
Control Line Models
Port Stephens - Australia
Ph: 0439-754-474
MAAA: AUS-14782

Hi Warren

Just a correction, Artmil balsa is the supplier to Bunnings and Mitre 10 stores. Pacific balsa tried to get the exclusive but were shown the door, quality was not good enough.

SMS have not handled balsa for years (separate entity run by different people).

Ployd

Thanks Peter,

That's funny though, because the guy at HP Hobbies Nelson Bay, called his SMS rep on Friday while I was there... and he has a stack of balsa labeled Aeroflyte in his shop. When he spoke to the rep about dope he said they no longer sold it and were also getting out of selling Balsa. The shop owner was concerned that he would have to find a new supplier for balsa as well. I made my assumptions based on this conversation.

Cheers

Warren Leadbeatter
Control Line Models
Port Stephens - Australia
Ph: 0439-754-474
MAAA: AUS-14782

Hi Warren

You are correct, Aeroflyte use to sell balsa, they had it pre-cut in PNG. I saw some in the Model Flight shop on my last visit and about all I would have used it for is lighting fires, VERY low grade timber and they obviously used a "Mexican micrometer" to measure the thickness.

Ployd

Hi Peter,

So where does all the good stuff (like the light stuff you get) come from?

Regards,

Warren Leadbeatter
Control Line Models
Port Stephens - Australia
Ph: 0439-754-474
MAAA: AUS-14782

Hi Warren

I go direct to the importers, select the blocks I want (about a couple of cubic metres) then have it cut by Artmil to my specifications Artmil also pick out timber I want from shipments they get (they know my requirements), Bunnings gets what I don't want.

Ployd

I see, So I guess I'm buying my balsa from you from now on then eh.
Cheers

Warren Leadbeatter
Control Line Models
Port Stephens - Australia
Ph: 0439-754-474
MAAA: AUS-14782

Does anyone know if Balus Balsa still exists ? I bought a few packs off them years ago, not bad except the sheet balsa was a bit soft for that purpose.

Luke.

Re Balas balsa; I believe it is still available but the quality can be a bit erratic. It's cheap but you have to accept what they send and if light weight is your goal then you would have to buy a quite a bit before you get what you want, good for them, bad for you

Ployd

Wazza's tip of the day for buying Balsa.

When I go to Bunnings or any Hobby Shop for that matter to buy Balsa, I always take my trusty pocket scales with me and weigh each piece of whatever size I am after. I then sort all the lightest pieces by grain type and straightness of the sheet. Then I choose the ones I want to buy.

My wife hates coming shopping with me to buy balsa... but it's great to be able to get her back for all those dresses and shoes I've had to watch her try on.

I keep the scales in my car so I don't lose them plus I'm usually in my car when I go to buy balsa.

Warren Leadbeatter
Control Line Models
Port Stephens - Australia
Ph: 0439-754-474
MAAA: AUS-14782