Project Estimating and Decision Making- My Solutions

by Bill Kuhl

Example Calculations 

Balsa Sheets

Step #1 Calculate how many strips are in a sheet 3" wide

1/16" sheet thickness
3" wide sheet / 1/8" strips = 24 strips 10% waste = 24 x .1 = 2.4 Round up to 3. 24 - 3 = 21 good strips in a sheet.

1/8" sheet thickness
(3" wide sheet / 3/8" width of motor stick) x (36" length of sheet / 12" length of motor stick) 8 x 3 = 24 motor sticks 10% waste = 24 x .1 = 2.4 Round up to 3. 24 - 3 =  21 good strips.

Wing hold downs are made from allowance for waste of motor sticks.

Step #2 Calculate how many sheets needed for 80 airplanes.

1/8" x 1/16" x 36" Strips

160 strips needed     160 total strips / 21 strips in a sheet = 7. 6 round up to 8.
8  1/16" x 3" x 36"  sheets needed.

3/8" x 1/8" x 36" Strips

80 strips needed  80 total strips / 21 motor sticks in a sheet = 3.8 Round up to 4 Sheets.

8  sheets 1/16" x 3" x 36"             4  sheets 1/8" x 3" x 36"

Balsa Sticks

As the sticks are pre-cut, do not need to allow for waste in the cutting process, two extra strips were allowed for handling breakage. Requirements are:

162 sticks 1/16" x 1/8" x 36"

Motor sticks 80 / 3 = 26.7 Round up to 27 sticks + 2 extra = 29 sticks

Calculate Cost based on Requirements:

Balsa Sheet Mail Order Prices

Quantity

Sheet Description

 Price Calculation

Totals

8 1/16" x 3" x 36" .46 8 x .46 $3.68
4 1/8" x 3" x 36" .66 4 x .66 $2.64
      Subtotal $6.32
      Balsa Stripper $7.00
      Total $13.32
2 CA Glue 3.00 2 x 3.00 $6.00
1 CA Accelerator 3.15   $3.15
      Subtotal $22.47
      Shipping $8.00
      Grand Total $30.47

Balsa Sheet Hobby Shop Prices

Quantity

Sheet Description

 Price Calculation

Totals

8 1/16" x 3" x 36" 1.50 8 x 1.50 $12.00
4 1/8" x 3" x 36" 2.10 4 x 2.10 $8.40
      Subtotal $20.40
1     Balsa Stripper $8.00
      Total $28.40
      Sales Tax $1.70
      Grand Total $30.10

Balsa Sticks Mail Order Prices

Quantity

Stick Description

 Price Calculation

Totals

162 1/16" x 1/8" x 3" x 36" .10 162 x .10 $16.20
29 1/8" x 3/8" x 36" .18 29 x .18 $5.22
10 1/8" x 1/8" x 36" .11 10 x .11 $1.10
      Subtotal $22.52
      Shipping $8.00
      Grand Total $30.52

 

Balsa Sticks Hobby Shop Prices

Quantity

Stick Description

 Price Calculation

Totals

162 1/16" x 1/8" x 3" x 36" .35 162 x .35 $56.70
29 1/8" x 3/8" x 36" .70 29 x .70 $20.30
10 1/8" x 1/8" x 36" .45 10 x .45 $4.50
      Subtotal $81.50
      Sales Tax $4.89
         
      Grand Total $86.39

Propellers

80 total planes / 35 props in a package = 2 packages plus 80 – (35 x 2) = 10 more props needed 35 props per package x 3 packages = 105 props 105 – 80 props needed = 25 spares

Cost $10.56 per package of 35 Shipping $6.50

$10.56 x 3 = $31.68 + $6.50 shipping = $38.18 total cost

Rubber

Convert grams to ounces .0596 (weight in grams per inch)  / 28.35 (grams in ounce)
= .002102 ounce per inch of rubber

One pound = 16 ounces, 16 / .002102 = 7611 inches of rubber

Convert to feet:   7611 / 12 = 634 feet

Number of motors:  634 / 2 feet in each motor = 317 motors

If each student receives three motors: 317 / 3 = 105 Motors for Students, Three Motors per Student

Advantages / Disadvantages for Balsa Wood Purchase Options