Trestle Materials

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have the plans and I know what I want to build, but I don't know where to get the materials to build a trestle bridge for the garden railroad. Who cuts lumber to those small sizes at a reasonable price? Is there materials better than wood? Thanks for any and all help. (Incidently, I don't have a table saw.)

[whiterab]

Try Garden Textures http://www.gardentexture.com/ They will sell you plans, materials, and/or kits for trestles. There may be better products than wood but I just like the look and feel of working with wood.

They are a really good company to work with. They sell botth cedar and redwood of the right sizes for trestle work.

[ttrigg]

Buckeye

Do like I did, go down to Sears, they have a nice little, economy, table saw for $95, go to the lunber store and get the wood you want in 1x4 or 1x6. Just REMEMBER this little saw is LIGHT DUTY ONLY. NOTHING thicker than 1 inch. After about 6 foot of bridge the saw will have paid itself off from purchasing the precut stuff from different websites.

If you use cedar or redwood your bridge should last at least 10-15 years (depending on your local)

[bman36]

Hey there,
I use Western Red Cedar fence boards. Yes I have a table saw but if you wish many lumber stores will rip material for you at a price. Fence boards are fairly inexspensive so for around twenty bucks you should be able to have a lot cut up for you. I'm with thrigg...as soon as you can afford to buy a small table saw. What the saw costs will easily be made up for in the cost of ordering pre cut material. Let us know how you make out. Later eh...Brian.

[FJ and G]

Hi BUckeye,

I purchased a full table saw for about $150 at Home Depot. Like Tom & Brian said, the tablesaw will pay for itself and you'll find other uses for it. I used it to custom-cut wood flooring, for example.

Home Depot is selling 8 foot 4x4" redwood for $12 each. That's enough wood to rip into an entire long trestle or many ties. It goes w/out saying to be cautious around the table saw. I've heard of a pro losing his hand.

[Tom The Brat]

I don't think they'd let me have one in the asylum. That's partly what the shop was for[:D]

[Anonymous]

I do not have trestles everyone has them. Instead i build viaducts and rail supports out of concrete (cement) and no one else that i know has anything like what i have.


Rgds ian

[smcgill]

Some fence co's give there ceder away for free!
They call it waste!

Saw $95
Wood free
Trestle priceless!

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

.................................. Thanks for any and all help. (Incidently, I don't have a table saw.)

Do you have a bandsaw??

[Anonymous]

I don't need one i mould my own concrete bricks, when it is cool enough!

Rgds Ian

[FJ and G]

The price on cement has really climbed in my area. I did a price check on coverage area of concrete vs using regular concrete blocks and mortar and the blocks came out ahead pricewise.

Add to that the work of mixing the cement and paying additional (and very expensive) $$ for rebar to reinforce it all.

I may opt for some of my line going on the concrete blocks. But as for a viaduct, I'm not sure how one could make concrete blocks look anything prototypical. Perhaps someone has some innovative ideas in this regard.

[Anonymous]

I've done a thorough check.
I'd use wood.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RhB_HJ

QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

.................................. Thanks for any and all help. (Incidently, I don't have a table saw.)

Do you have a bandsaw??

Don't have that either. [:(] Thanks for all the suggestions everybody. [:)]

[Tom The Brat]

Well, I once ripped a piece of 1/2 inch square basswood into 1/2 by 1/4 using my zona saw. Not practical!