Solved 1/16in balsa firewall cannot take 2300kv motor power

[agupt108]

In the FT tiny trainer build, I am using a 1/16" firewall of balsa, however, it is splintering on full throttle with a 2300 kv motor and 7x5 prop. The motor flies out with the screws, shattering the balsa. What is alternative firewall material I can use? Basswood?

 

[XSrcing]

You need to use 3mm plywood.

 

[Foamforce]

In the mini tiny trainer ft build, I am using a 1/16" firewall of balsa, however, it is splintering on full throttle with a 2300 kv motor and 7x5 prop. The motor flies out with the screws, shattering the balsa. What is alternative firewall material I can use? Basswood?

The recommendation is plywood, which is much stronger than balsa. I buy firewalls from the FT store now since they’re cheap, but before that I just used 1/8” plywood that I bought from HobbyLobby. That’s the thinnest plywood they carry. It adds a little weight vs 1/16, but not enough to notice. Fwiw, in my Mini Scout I used a credit card as the firewall and that worked too.

 

[The Fopster]

In the mini tiny trainer ft build, I am using a 1/16" firewall of balsa, however, it is splintering on full throttle with a 2300 kv motor and 7x5 prop. The motor flies out with the screws, shattering the balsa. What is alternative firewall material I can use? Basswood?

If you can’t easily get plywood you could glue three sheets of the balsa in a sandwich to make your own. Put each layer at 90 degrees versus the one before (so the grain is at right angles) and glue with CA or even just PVA. I think that would do fine. Good luck!

 

[agupt108]

You need to use 3mm plywood.

The recommendation is plywood, which is much stronger than balsa. I buy firewalls from the FT store now since they’re cheap, but before that I just used 1/8” plywood that I bought from HobbyLobby. That’s the thinnest plywood they carry. It adds a little weight vs 1/16, but not enough to notice. Fwiw, in my Mini Scout I used a credit card as the firewall and that worked too.

Yes I see that now thank you so much!

 

[agupt108]

If you can’t easily get plywood you could glue three sheets of the balsa in a sandwich to make your own. Put each layer at 90 degrees versus the one before (so the grain is at right angles) and glue with CA or even just PVA. I think that would do fine. Good luck!

What is CA? Would wood glue work? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Foamforce]

What is CA? Would wood glue work? Thank you so much for your help!

CA glue is super glue. Wood glue would probably be even better.

 

[agupt108]

CA glue is super glue. Wood glue would probably be even better.

Ok thank you for your help @Foamforce @The Fopster @XSrcing

 

[Merv]

...What is alternative firewall material I can use? Basswood?

Lots of people 3D print firewalls, just about any thin wood will work. A thicker balsa would work, I’m guessing 3/16 would work.

I use the 5 gal paint stir stick from Walmart for my firewalls. They are longer and thicker than the free paint sticks for the 1 gal can of paint.

 

[danskis]

Glue a credit card to the front of the firewall or use hobby plywood. You can buy hobby ply at true value hardware