Garden Railway Forum

Right soo, I'm seriously contending building my own coaches, as the size/what I want isn't totally available and want to have ago (Laalrattys fault really, all thesescrtchbuilt coaches!).
So lots of questions to ask
First off what wood should I use and where can I get it from?
Where can i get br/strip wood from?
What tools do i need, I have a fret saw nearly ready for action, just need a new blade?
Thanks in advance

I always go for sheet ply, in various thicknesses depending on what I'm making. To cut the stuff I have various knives. I use a pillar drill for cutting out small holes for handrails, door handles etc but a hand drill is just as good for this really. Very thin ply can be cut with scissors, but not with the grain or it will split, don't try this with thick ply. For that I use a treddle fretsaw that my grandad got from hobbies years ago and has given me. Sometimes it is better to use a couple of thin layers of ply instead of one thick piece for ease of cutting, in particular for coach sides. A miniature plain is also a good idea. Start with something simple and just keep practicing.

I normally get my wood from my local shop that specialises in model aircraft and cars etc, both strip and birch plywood (I have seen balsa ply occasionally and that is suprisingly usefull), you can sometimes find in in art shops. You should try and avoid normal balsa where possible. Unfortunatly there are some many variations out there that it is hard to be precise on types of wood!
Tools wise, a junior hacksaw is a good idea. Sandpaper, tri square, ruler, PVA glue, that is about it really!

I start with LASER ply and a rough idea of what it should look like in me head.
Next take a computer...

cheat!!!

taliesin001:46030 wrote:cheat!!!

His methods have helped me! Much easier, just need to sort the blumin painting bit next.....

Zach's helped me too, he made me some shedplates. No way could you make them by hand so I can't complain! I think if I had access to a laser cutter I would be using it too

it's like art it dosn't matter what you use to acheive the results you want. I would suggest you buy a cheap muiti shape pack of balsa to use when you need to fill in bits or make small details as its easily shaped but stick to ply for the main build.

At the shop I used to work for, strip wood was our biggest seller.

Strips were available in Obechi, Pine, Balsa, Mahogany and Lime. Between 34p and £1 depending on width and depth, length about 1 metre.

All good model shops should stock it.

If your local shop is a Tasma Products stockist, you are onto a winner!

90733:46023 wrote: First off what wood should I use and where can I get it from?
Where can i get br/strip wood from?

I've had good service from Cornwall Model Boats.
A long way, but quite quick turnaround and a vast range of woods in sheet and strip formats.

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/aca ... imber.html

MRail:46093 wrote:

90733:46023 wrote: First off what wood should I use and where can I get it from?
Where can i get br/strip wood from?

I've had good service from Cornwall Model Boats.
A long way, but quite quick turnaround and a vast range of woods in sheet and strip formats.

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/aca ... imber.html

Cheers, looks like a good place

Just wondering what type of thickness I should be going for?

I usually use 0.8-1mm, sontimes 1.5 and for some things thinner than 0.8 but can't remember how thick that one is. i would go for a few different thicknesses depending on the part