Wooden rail cappings

[pete]

I am wondering what is the recommended variety of timber to use for handrail cappings in 1/48 scale?
Your ideas would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Merry Christmas,
Pete.

[Eddy Matthews]

I would normally cut them from 1/16" ply Pete, then stain to the colour required....

Regards
Eddy

[R.G.Y.]

Pete, At 48th scale on my Glen Usk I cut the hand rail from the back leg of an old chair. Made of Beech and all ready bent in a nice curve. R.G.Y.

[chipmonk]

Hi Pete.
I have found that any straight, tight grained hardwood works well. Beech and boxwood are fine but avoid teak (the oil in it makes it hard to get a good glue joint) oak (too open grained) and all softwoods like pine. You don't want the scale equivalent of 2' stripes in it. Sometimes you can get 2.5mm thick veneers on flea bay, they are called structural veneers. That is what I am using for some of the slats on my model Monarch.
Hope that this helps.
Chris M

[Stuart Badger]

I agree with Chris about Boxwood. It is hard, close grained and finishes beautifully. Ideal in fact for any 'detail' woody bits. It takes stain really well without blotchiness too.

try these people for specialist timbers. Very helpful and very efficient;
http://www.originalmarquetry.co.uk/

Stuart

[pete]

Many thanks to all for your help, - Boxwood sounds good, - I'll look into it after Christmas. Mind you, the lady wife is out tonight, - I wonder if she has counted the legs on the beech dining room chairs!! ---
Pete.

[R.G.Y.]

Chair legs are easier to find than long lengths of box wood. In my boiler thread I cut a hole in the side of the washing machine, she hasn't found out, YET. Geoff

[R.G.Y.]

Found another chair in a skip down my road.!! Geoff