What matirials to use in scratchbuilding?

[Kiwi Down Under]

Ian
I like your comment. Unlike down under I think its too easy for most to go to the shop, buy everything, and never actually try anything.
I work on the theory if half of what I try actually works, resembles something that exists in real life, then I am far better off than assembling a kitset.

There is a lot of experts out there....well, they think they are.
I went to a "g" scale evening, took along one of my models but one person seemed like quite an expert in large trains.Very interesting to listen too, and he was very quick to piont out the errors in my hand made models.
He went into great detail about scale, details and materials to use and obvously knew far more than me. After 30 minutes or so I asked him how much track he had outside, his answer (100% true) oh no, I have 3ft of G scale track on my table and it transports salt and pepper shakers..........Fair dinkum, Ask yourself, and he considered himself an "expert".

But to be fair, I cant compete with some of the modelers on this forum, and wish I had some of their skills and patience.
I suppose I better keep it to the topic, you can use whatever you like in scratchbuilding, but if it cant stand the heat, cold, wet and the odd attack by animals of different sizes dont leave it outside.
As far as the weep holes go, I use small treated timber supports (10mm) and every building is slightly above the soil level, but even then if it has a floor, drill drainage holes in them.

Tony.
Tony

[Anonymous]

I don't use much wood, mainly concrete ( cement) but when i do I use marine ply and thoroughly water proof it and put weep holes in the bottom. I did some research on weep holes but no one seemed interested in it and it is a very important subject, which is pretty well par for the people in this forum. i often wonder if any of you have any outdoor railways at all. The things that you are interested in would indicate to me that you do not.

However as well i use bass wood for flexible applications which is what they make venetian blinds out of and again i waterproof it veery well.


rgds ian

[whiterab]

I use redwood and/or cedar.

Balsa will not last long outside as it attracts crawly things that like to eat wood and will warp badly over time. There are several good sources outthere that specialize in supplying wood for outdoor buildings on garden railways.

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by troybetts

A lot depends on what you want to do with it when built.
All of my motive models are built from balsa.They stay in when it rains,and are still intact.
However,I have built various small building with the same wood.The wood is still there but the glue is not ! These are buildings that stay out all year.
Any wood will work provided that it is stained or preserved.The glue--another matter !


Brian.It's a pleasure to see you back on the forum.

Thanks Troy!,
Been a busy Summer for sure. Miss being able to post regularily. All the best! Later eh...Brian.

[Train 284]

They have a lot of Balsa wood at a local craft sotre that would be perfect for my project but I don't know if it will hold in the rain or not.

[Anonymous]

A lot depends on what you want to do with it when built.
All of my motive models are built from balsa.They stay in when it rains,and are still intact.
However,I have built various small building with the same wood.The wood is still there but the glue is not ! These are buildings that stay out all year.
Any wood will work provided that it is stained or preserved.The glue--another matter !


Brian.It's a pleasure to see you back on the forum.

[bman36]

Hey Matt,
Check out the other part of this forum titled "Scratchbuilding and Kitbashing". Tons of useful info there! All the best on your project! Later eh...Brian.

[ghelman]

Mat,

I have used cedar. It seems to hold up very well. Redwood could be another choice, but here on the East coast of the US, cedar is more available. I have also been using the polyurethane glues such as gorrilla glue. Great stuff, glues just about anything.

[Anonymous]

TRAIN 284
THEIR WAS A 3 STALL ENGINE HOUSE in GARDEN RAILROADS A FEW YEARS BACK
i used 3/8 exterior treaded plywood, and put a rubber roof on it . BEN

[Train 284]

Hey everyone, I was wondering what type of wood you can use in scratchbuilding. I am trying to build a 2 stall engine house about 40" long, about 12" across and about 12" tall.