I download plans from sites like aerofred, outerzone, rcgroups etc and then online convert them to jpg's and import them into Draftsight as reference images. I then trace over them, nest the parts and cut them out of balsa and lite ply. I've currently got 4 gliders and planes on the building board.

Ply does cut better than balsa but if you have a sharp cutter (single flute) and get speeds and feeds correct then it cuts OK.

What sort of planes are you looking to make?