Making railings

[ARU01]

Hi, I made this railing 12 years ago. but i donot like it it is simple but does not look verry nice. Can any one ple3ase give some suggestion for my 1837 sirius. Maybe example picture of ships from that era. I do not paint my model want it to look genuine wood. and as if it is old

 

[Bob Cleek]

Well, a brass railing would be a huge improvement over brads and thread, for sure. It looks like a nice model that would benefit from the upgrade you're considering. See: https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/the-juanita-sternwheeler-1-24.16419/page-3#post-440700

If you want the old-fashioned look of the turn of the last century board room models, there's nothing for it but brass. There's a learning curve to it, but well worth taking a shot at learning. It's not rocket science, but there are techniques with which you'll need to become familiar.

Some of the aftermarket parts retailers offer stanchions in various scales. These have round balls on top and halfway up with holes drilled in them through which you run wire to make up railings. That avoids turning your own stanchions, drilling them, and soldering them up.

If you aren't familiar with working with brass and copper detail parts, I suggest you get a copy of Model Building with Brass by Kenneth Foran. It's a great book on the subject. See: https://www.amazon.com/Model-Building-Brass-Kenneth-Foran/dp/0764340042

Also, as a basic how-to book, applicable to jewelry, rather than models, but invaluable for brassworking for models as well, you may want to check out Metalworker's Workbench: Demystifying the Jeweler's Saw, by Thomas Mann. See: https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...-naa&msclkid=3d607abb760a1209814512c46dacf1d0

 

[Namabiiru]

Another option that would not be quite as classy as turned stanchions, but would be cheaper to do, is brass pins for stanchions, notched with a jeweler’s file or rotary tool where the rails meet them. Fine brass wire for the rails is then soldered to the notches. By using soldering paste instead of wire solder, you can really control how much solder is used and avoid unsightly blobs.

 

[ARU01]

Well, a brass railing would be a huge improvement over brads and thread, for sure. It looks like a nice model that would benefit from the upgrade you're considering. See: https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/threads/the-juanita-sternwheeler-1-24.16419/page-3#post-440700

If you want the old-fashioned look of the turn of the last century board room models, there's nothing for it but brass. There's a learning curve to it, but well worth taking a shot at learning. It's not rocket science, but there are techniques with which you'll need to become familiar.

Some of the aftermarket parts retailers offer stanchions in various scales. These have round balls on top and halfway up with holes drilled in them through which you run wire to make up railings. That avoids turning your own stanchions, drilling them, and soldering them up.

If you aren't familiar with working with brass and copper detail parts, I suggest you get a copy of Model Building with Brass by Kenneth Foran. It's a great book on the subject. See: https://www.amazon.com/Model-Building-Brass-Kenneth-Foran/dp/0764340042

Also, as a basic how-to book, applicable to jewelry, rather than models, but invaluable for brassworking for models as well, you may want to check out Metalworker's Workbench: Demystifying the Jeweler's Saw, by Thomas Mann. See: https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...-naa&msclkid=3d607abb760a1209814512c46dacf1d0

Thanks Bob. I have thought about that. your railing is very beatifull. But is a modern ship beleive 1925 or so. Mine is a 837 paddel steamer. there are no blueprints or so. only historical paintings. those show a lot of differences. Railings where made in that era of Wrought iron .I made your kind of railings for modelrailroad in HO.

 

[ARU01]

Another option that would not be quite as classy as turned stanchions, but would be cheaper to do, is brass pins for stanchions, notched with a jeweler’s file or rotary tool where the rails meet them. Fine brass wire for the rails is then soldered to the notches. By using soldering paste instead of wire solder, you can really control how much solder is used and avoid unsightly blobs.

I like youre idea. especialy for the 1837 build ship looks more like it is forged from wrought iron. am thinking about replacing the nails for headless.

 

[ARU01]

Think of planking the walkway for more genuin look. ideas welcome

 

[Bob Cleek]

Thanks Bob. I have thought about that. your railing is very beatifull. But is a modern ship beleive 1925 or so. Mine is a 837 paddel steamer. there are no blueprints or so. only historical paintings. those show a lot of differences. Railings where made in that era of Wrought iron .I made your kind of railings for modelrailroad in HO.

I thought you were finishing the wood "bright" and going with brass. If you want an iron railing, "blacken" or paint the brass railing to suit your taste.