Can I use a chisel on balsa wood or is it best w/ sandpap. on a lathe?

Question

Can I use a chisel on balsa wood or is it best w/ sandpap. on a lathe?

Answer 1

You wouldn't use a chisel on balsa wood , it is too soft a wood..a good set of carving knives and some small saws to cut off the main cuts with then "knifed" down would work...A dremel wood work good to to cut the main parts out..

Answer 2

depends on what your doing chisels are more accurate if you know what your doing

Answer 3

If you are turning balsa , would use , really sharp turning tools just to round off the stock.

It is so soft that sanding "to shape " at a relatively slow speed  is a good idea.

As mentioned thin sharp knives will get the any groove depths you might need.

The trick is keeping it on the lathe.

I have made " dummy" ends out of harder wood so that the centers  have something solid to hold on to.

Best regards