Modeling and Mold-Making Materials > Balsa-Foam
Carves like butter,
Paints like wood!
Ideal for children and class art projects!
Click here for Balsa Foam Lesson Plans -- #31, #32, #33.
NEW Printing Kit with Balsa-Foam and AMACO Velvet Underglazes for printing on clay. Click here for more information!
Balsa-Foam is different from other plastic foams because it can be easily carved with traditional and non-traditional hand tools to create the shape and design you want. It can then be decorated with any paint just like balsa wood.
Balsa-Form (soft density) is great for students because it's easier to sculpt and does not require the use of sharp tools. Balsa-Foam (hard density) is still easy to carve and shape like Balsa-Foam soft density but the higher density holds intricate detail and is more durable.
Since Balsa-Foam has no "memory" or rebound, it will hold an impression. This means you can create detailed shapes by simply pressing any object into the surface. A steel ruler can be used to make push cuts as a way to cut out more complex interior shapes. Carving knives and chisels virtually glide through BalsaFoam soft density and cut relatively easily through Balsa-Foam hard density. Experiment with all sorts of tools to find the ones that work best for you.
Balsa-Foam is available in seven sizes (both densities) and eight classpacks. Classpack sizes include:
(40) 4 1/2" x 6" x 1/2" pieces (soft density)
(20) 6" x 9" x 1/2" pieces (soft density)
(36) 1 1/2" x 2" x 5" pieces (soft density)
(24) 2 1/4" x 2" x 5" pieces (soft density)
(48) 3" x 3" x 1/2" pieces (soft density)
(24) 2'' x 2'' x 2'' pieces (soft density)
(24) 2'' x 2'' x 2'' pieces (hard density)
(48) 3'' x 3'' x 1/2'' pieces (hard density)
Tips for using Balsa-Foam:
- Most glues work well with Balsa-Foam including wood glue, hot glue. When bonding two blocks of BalsaFoam to make a larger block for carving, keep the adhesive well inside the ultimate shape to avoid having a glue seam that is difficult to carve across
- Any type of water-based or solvent-based paint or coating can be used to decorate your Balsa-Foam project. An initial coat of Krylon spray paint will help seal the foam.
- Balsa-Foam is non toxic however the dust can cause eye irritation. Do not rub eyes while using and wash hands after using. The use of safety goggles and/or dust mask are recommended when sanding or using power tools
To download a copy of the AP (Non-Toxic) MSDS sheet in PDF format, please click here.
Click on images to enlarge. For more, click on "Photos".
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Modeling and Mold-Making Materials > Balsa-Foam
Dog and cat sculpted from Balsa-Foam.
Painted Balsa-Foam Butterfly, Lesson Plan #32:
BalsaForm is ideal for block printing. Carve your design into BalsaFoam, apply tempera paint or ink, then press onto paper.:
Michelle Zimmerman sculpted this Scottish Terrier with Balsa-Foam using the 'Paw' tool from the AMACO EZ Grip Modeling Tools Set.:
Balsa-Foam African Masks, Lesson Plan #31:
Michelle Zimmerman created these bugs with Balsa-Foam.:
Balsa-Foam totem pole.:
Balsa-Foam has received the Seal of Approval from the Creative Home Arts Club.:
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Modeling and Mold-Making Materials > Balsa-Foam Available Items:
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NEW Balsa-Foam/AMACO Velvets Printing Class Pack (Item #43023A)
$123.00
BalsaFoam (soft density), 6'' x 9'' x 1/2'', 2 pieces (Item #43013P)
$9.99
BalsaFoam (soft density), 9'' x 12'' x 1'' (Item #43014J)
$15.49
BalsaFoam (soft density), 18'' x 24'' x 2'' (Item #43015R)
$114.00
BalsaFoam (soft density), 3'' x 4 1/2'' x 5'' (Item #43016T)
$9.99
BalsaFoam (soft density), 9'' x 12'' x 5'' (Item #43017S)
$72.00
BalsaFoam (soft density), 18'' x 24'' x 5'' (Item #43018V)
$197.00
BalsaFoam (soft density), 9'' x 12'' x 20'' (Item #43019W)
$197.00
BalsaFoam (hard density), 6'' x 9'' x 1/2'', 2 pieces (Item #43006H)
$12.99
BalsaFoam (hard density), 9'' x 12'' x 1'' (Item #43007E)
$20.99
BalsaFoam (hard density), 18'' x 24'' x 2'' (Item #43008L)
$135.00
BalsaFoam (hard density), 3'' x 4 1/2'' x 5'' (Item #43009K)
$12.99
BalsaFoam (hard density), 9'' x 12'' x 5'' (Item #43010M)
$93.00
BalsaFoam (hard density), 18'' x 24'' x 5'' (Item #43011G)
$270.00
BalsaFoam (hard density), 9'' x 12'' x 20'' (Item #43012N)
$270.00
BalsaFoam Class Pack (soft density), 48 pieces, 3'' x 3'' x 1/2'' (Item #43001A)
$56.00
BalsaFoam Class Pack (soft density), 40 pieces, 4 1/2'' x 6'' x 1/2'' (Item #43002B)
$92.00
BalsaFoam Class Pack (soft density), 20 pieces, 6'' x 9'' x 1/2'' (Item #43003C)
$92.00
BalsaFoam Class Pack (soft density), 36 pieces, 1 1/2'' x 2'' x 5'' (Item #43004D)
$92.00
BalsaFoam Class Pack (soft density), 24 pieces, 2 1/4'' x 2'' x 5'' (Item #43005F)
$92.00
Balsa Foam class Pack (soft density), 24 pieces, 2'' x 2'' x 2'' (Item #43020X)
$51.00
Balsa Foam Class Pack (hard density), 24 pieces, 2'' x 2'' x 2'' (Item #43021B)
$73.00
Balsa Foam Class Pack (hard density), 48 pieces, 3'' x 3'' x 1/2'' (Item #43022Y)
$78.00
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