Arch Foot Bridge

[wombat457]

For the past few days I have done very little other than electronics on my little layout and am frankly a little bored with it. Therefore, I was thinking ahead and the small expansion I have planned for the layout and decided I would try building an "Arched Foot Bridge" from scratch, so this is the start of it:

Forming the Arch for the bridge:

Soaked the basswood in hot water for half an hour and now waiting for it to dry. I am expecting the arch to flatten out a little when released from the pins.

 

[wombat457]

Looks as though I am going to have to leave this over night so as the "bend" can solidify itself in place, or close to it.

 

[migalyto]

Looks as though I am going to have to leave this over night so as the "bend" can solidify itself in place, or close to it.

Did it just spring back to straight or did a little of the curve stay?

 

[wombat457]

Haven't taken it out of the pins to find out but from the last wood I curved (trestle bridge) I had to leave over night and even then it sprung back a little.

 

[wombat457]

Looks like I did something right - I decided to take one out and see what happened and nothing happened:

 

[wombat457]

Started putting on the Cross Supports:

 

[wombat457]

Think I have all of the Cross Members in place - don't think I need any more than this:

Now what to do ... thinking thinking thinking ???

 

[migalyto]

Think I have all of the Cross Members in place - don't think I need any more than this:

Now what to do ... thinking thinking thinking ???

How are you going to handle the railings?

 

[wombat457]

How are you going to handle the railings?

Carefully???

I think they will be next and darn, I should have made an extra two opdy doops for the railings I might have to have them in sections - darn it

 

[migalyto]

Carefully???

I think they will be next and darn, I should have made an extra two opdy doops for the railings I might have to have them in sections - darn it

Do you want it all wood?

Styrene may be the ticket on the railings.

 

[wombat457]

Piece of cake, I'll use smaller basswood that bends easily - something that might look like it would be railing

 

[migalyto]

Piece of cake, I'll use smaller basswood that bends easily - something that might look like it would be railing

Makes sense.

 

[wombat457]

Just need to put in the uprights then attach the railings to the top of them. Shouldn't be too hard I don't think. What - last famous words ?? Probably

 

[Smudge617]

Carefully???

I think they will be next and darn, I should have made an extra two opdy doops for the railings I might have to have them in sections - darn it

If you've a good supply of thin basswood, use it as planking for the floor, railings I would do last, with the planking in place it would give the base structure some strength while your handling it.

 

[wombat457]

I have an inevitable lumber yard of basswood

I was thinking of attaching the railing uprights to the side of the Bridge Bearers then laying the planking around them.

 

[Smudge617]

I have an inevitable lumber yard of basswood

I'm sure you'll work out the best way to build the remainder, knowing you, you won't pick the easiest either

 

[wombat457]

Heck no - if it aint hard, impractical and pointless, it aint worth doin'

 

[Hutch]

For the past few days I have done very little other than electronics on my little layout and am frankly a little bored with it. Therefore, I was thinking ahead and the small expansion I have planned for the layout and decided I would try building an "Arched Foot Bridge" from scratch, so this is the start of it:

Forming the Arch for the bridge:

Soaked the basswood in hot water for half an hour and now waiting for it to dry. I am expecting the arch to flatten out a little when released from the pins.

Building guitars and mandolins, I did a lot of this. It's best done over a hot pipe.

 

[wombat457]

Darn - all I do is soak the bass in hot water for an hour or there abouts - till it's water logged then form and brace it. Shaping wood for a guitar is a little bit bigger than my little foot bridge though

 

[Snowman]

Heck no - if it aint hard, impractical and pointless, it aint worth doin'

Pretty much describes my entire life.............................................................................................................................................