Garden Arbor for model railroad

[oldhudson]

My wonderful brother-in-law has a fantastic model railroad outside his home in the White Mountains of Arizona. He asked me to make a garden arbor for his layout. Given how generous he's been to me I agreed immediately. I've never done a project like this before, lots of challenges. 

 

The wood is cedar, I'm guessing but don't know for sure, that it's ERC. I picked the straightest grain stock from my pile for this. I sliced off a couple of sections from a 4" x 4" about 20" long into stock about 3 1/2 x 3/8" x 20" thick with the bandsaw. They were so thin I used double sided tape to attach them to a carrier board to run through my planer - one to 1/8" thick and the other to 1/4". Sorry no pics.

 

Then I ripped the stock on the table saw to 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 as needed.

 

For cross cutting (some pieces were as short as 1 1/2") I made a new cross cut sled for these little parts.

 

I had to cut a notch, like one half of a half lap joint to attach the rafters to the lentils. I attached a stop to the miter gauge and added a small piece 1/8 x  1/4 x 1 1/2 to cut the notches. Just like making finger joints really.

 

I used TB III for the glue-up and applied it with a paint brush. I used a framing square to line up parts for the assembly and used weight for clamping pressure.

 

I applied McCloskies spar varnish, once again with a paint brush. I probably should have done the finishing before assembly but...?  The first coat was right out of the can. The second coat I cut with paint thinner - it went much better. I learn by making mistakes. The final pics are with 2 coats.

 

I still have to figure out what to attach the unit too so I doesn't blow away. I'm thinking to attaching it to a piece if stone tile with construction adhesive.

 

Thanks for looking.

Edited April 11, 2016 by oldhudson

[amazingkevin]

My wonderful brother-in-law has a fantastic model railroad outside his home in the White Mountains of Arizona. He asked me to make a garden arbor for his layout. Given how generous he's been to me I agreed immediately. I've never done a project like this before, lots of challenges. 

 

The wood is cedar, I'm guessing but don't know for sure, that it's ERC. I picked the straightest grain stock from my pile for this. I sliced off a couple of sections from a 4" x 4" about 20" long into stock about 3 1/2 x 3/8" x 20" thick. They were so thin I used double sided tape to attach them to a carrier board to run through my planer - one to 1/8" thick and the other to 1/4". Sorry no pics.

 

Then I ripped the stock on the table saw to 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 as needed. MGA 524.jpg

 

For cross cutting (some pieces were as short as 1 1/2") I made a new cross cut sled for these little parts.MGA 521.jpg

 

I had to cut a notch, like one half of a half lap joint to attach the rafters to the lentils. I attached a stop to the miter gauge and added a small piece 1/8 x  1/4 x 1 1/2 to cut the notches. Just like making finger joints really. MGA 540.jpg

 

I used TB III for the glue-up and applied it with a paint brush. I used a framing square to line up parts for the assembly and used weight for clamping pressure. MGA 542.jpgMGA 543.jpg

 

I applied McCloskies spar varnish, once again with a paint brush. I probably should have done the finishing before assembly but...?  The first coat was right out of the can. The second coat I cut with paint thinner - it went much better. I learn by making mistakes. The final pics are with 2 coats. MGA 549.jpg

 

I still have to figure out what to attach the unit too so I doesn't blow away. I'm thinking to attaching it to a piece if stone tile with construction adhesive.

 

Thanks for looking.

He will be pleased for sure!Nice clean job,you now how to have fun !thanks for showing!

[Scrolling Steve]

Berry , I think you might be a true craftsman !.....Very nice work !

[merlin]

I like it, and should your BIL....Thanks for showing your work.................

[Ron Johnson]

Terrific amount of work and time Berry. Beautiful arbor.

[Lucky2]

Very nice.

Len

[Jim McDonald]

Great looking piece.  Been thinking model railroading is a market perfect for scrollers. We are used to working with small tolerances on small pieces.

[Phantom Scroller]

Very good Berry will go well in a fairy garden.    Roly

[oldhudson]

Great looking piece.  Been thinking model railroading is a market perfect for scrollers. We are used to working with small tolerances on small pieces.

I think there may be a market there. I don't think there is any doubt that those involved in model railroading spend serious dollars on their hobby (so do many woodworkers). Some may be DIY'ers but I'm sure a portion aren't. You'd have to see what's available and find items that aren't represented or poorly done. Then figure out how you'd reach your audience.

[Clayton717]

Very nice

[don watson]

Very nicely done