For all of these builds, I did not worry about the balsa grain. In general, it's way more important to get the density/mass correct and matching than it is to worry about the grain type. I'm pretty sure the benchmark build used generic A/A-B grain for everything. I wouldn't focus on using c-grain for anything until you have nailed down optimizing everything else as it's much more expensive to work with and really won't help a whole lot in these builds.
Would you still use 1/24 by 1/24 for the cross members? I asked this last year lol also, what density should I buy? I calculated around 5-6 pounds per cubic foot, but I'm not sure
There is no one right answer for the cross-members. Using 1/20 is a good choice, as is 1/16 for the base at least. For the column, you might want to look into using 1/32, but it all depends on the density. You'll have to experiment with that a bit. In the final videos of this series, I'll show what exact material I used for the benchmark tower. Stay tuned!
I noticed you've been using bonus tower designs for the past videos, does this mean that a bonus design would be worth it with this year's rules? Or is it still the same risk?
Still the same risk. My initial thinking is the bonus would be better because they have the same column dimensions, but I have not even tried to build a non-bonus version yet. It's something that needs to be explored for sure. If the non-bonus can come close to my benchmark bonus score, then it'd definitely be a better choice as it wouldn't be as risky on competition day. (Div C is a different story, I'm more confident that the bonus is the correct way to go there due to the 3-leg design and how it needs to still span the 20cm square in 3 different quadrants)
I will provide links to the STL files I used for the jig and other support objects in the upcoming videos where I show how to use them. The column video will be next (9/14), and the base one will be early next week (9/17). Thanks!
When you make the first tower for this years rules, could you specify what grain balsa you use?
For all of these builds, I did not worry about the balsa grain. In general, it's way more important to get the density/mass correct and matching than it is to worry about the grain type. I'm pretty sure the benchmark build used generic A/A-B grain for everything. I wouldn't focus on using c-grain for anything until you have nailed down optimizing everything else as it's much more expensive to work with and really won't help a whole lot in these builds.
Would you still use 1/24 by 1/24 for the cross members? I asked this last year lol
also, what density should I buy? I calculated around 5-6 pounds per cubic foot, but I'm not sure
There is no one right answer for the cross-members. Using 1/20 is a good choice, as is 1/16 for the base at least. For the column, you might want to look into using 1/32, but it all depends on the density. You'll have to experiment with that a bit. In the final videos of this series, I'll show what exact material I used for the benchmark tower. Stay tuned!
@@balsaengineering6686 Thanks so much! I'll look into 1/16 because I suck at building lol
I noticed you've been using bonus tower designs for the past videos, does this mean that a bonus design would be worth it with this year's rules? Or is it still the same risk?
Still the same risk. My initial thinking is the bonus would be better because they have the same column dimensions, but I have not even tried to build a non-bonus version yet. It's something that needs to be explored for sure. If the non-bonus can come close to my benchmark bonus score, then it'd definitely be a better choice as it wouldn't be as risky on competition day. (Div C is a different story, I'm more confident that the bonus is the correct way to go there due to the 3-leg design and how it needs to still span the 20cm square in 3 different quadrants)
Wow, that base is going to take over a day to print on an ender 3SE
ngl this guy absolutely carries scioly
can you give me your 3d tower div b 2025 bonus tower jig design.
I will provide links to the STL files I used for the jig and other support objects in the upcoming videos where I show how to use them. The column video will be next (9/14), and the base one will be early next week (9/17). Thanks!
@@balsaengineering6686Thank you for forcasting the dates!
Am I missing the jig files? Or were they delayed? Your videos are amazing as always.
@@aliciawhitlock6396 There is a link to a zip file in the description of this video that has all the jig files. Good luck this season!
I found it thank you!
Stl files Please!
The links to the stl files are in the specific columns and bases videos where I show them in use