Here are some progress shots of a wooden bridge i built today for a diorama in the making. Its mostly made up of basswood, balsa was recommended to me by many of my associates but i like the tighter grain and durability of basswood. The support cross beams and the pillars are actually made of white oak which is highly difficult to work with unless you have a full wood shop at your disposal like myself anyways comments and suggestions are always appreciated!, Enjoy!
p.s. sorry for the poor image quality, a friend is borrowing my camera so i was forced to use my blackberry

Nice choice of materials. The design looks good, the construction is very clean and neat. As you go don't forget to add small details like bolt heads/nail heads and connector plates for the deck support/vertical support connections. Those small things really make things shine.

Looks good! Go on!

Claude

Thank you for the positive comments!

I still have to sand and touch up a few areas on the bridge, i think i will add the hardware (bolts, nuts, nails, plates, etc.) sometime this week when i get a little free time. I'm going to use styrene stock, some leftover PE, and some brass rod to create the hardware. I'll post the finished pics later this week!

-James

James, the bridge looks great what are the dimesions of the materials used. I may need to try this myself.

Bob

So, already have an update for you since yesterday, i started to scrutinize the bridge this afternoon and realized i need it to be a bit shorter so i pulled the legs off the sucker and shortened the whole assembly...




looks much more appropriate now i believe

Bob, thank you for your comment!, i took some basic measurements for you, they are as follows...

Planks(x27)=1/4'' x 3/32'' x 5''

Plank support beams(x5)=1/4'' x 1/8'' x 7 3/4''

Cross beams(x2)=1/4'' x 1/4'' x 5 1/2''

Support pillars=(x8)1/4'' x 1/4'' x 2'' (originally 3'')

Railing pillars=(x8)1/8'' x 1/8'' x 1 1/4''

Railing tops(x6)=2/32'' x 3/16'' x 2 3/32''

The cross boards on the support pillars are the same as the planks but only 4 1/16'' long

The diagonal supports at the end of the railings are just square toothpicks but their dimensions are 3/32'' x 3/32'' x 1 3/4''

-James

James, thanks for the information it will help me to attempt this project.

Bob

salut
bravo pour ce travail de charpentier , il ne reste plus qu'a le vieillir en bon et dû forme
courage
sampiero
hello
Bravo for this work as a carpenter, he'll only have the old in good and due form
courage
Sampiero

Where do you intend to have this bridge located? Most countries have unique bridge designs. A very nice bridge, though. Are you going to use weatherall on it?

One heck of a nice bridge!!!!! Strong enough for a tank? Scratch building such things has always been a joy of mine. Am looking forward to seeing it painted up and with bolt heads etc. Thanks for sharing..............................Al

Thank you for all your kind words.

Matt: The diorama this bridge is set in russia, im planning on weathering it with a series or subtle washes, and powders

Small update: completed some "hardware" nails on the deck of the bridge and fasteners for the railing.

Nice details, really elevates the project

HI

It looks really good; I know you already said what you were going to use to make the nails and bolts.
But can you please specify how you used the material? (perhaps with some photos)

Thanks’

I photographed several bridges when I visited Russia. All were made of stone. Wish I had been able to find one made of wood for reference material. A nice looking bridge all in all.

Thank everybody again for the comments!

Matt: while most of the reference material i used shows bridges of this style constructed of mainly logs and not milled lumber, i decided to go with this look out of personal preference and having the materials already available to me. Early in the project i was also considering a stone built design but as mentioned before i did not have 100% of the materials on hand needed to complete the project.

Coming up: Should have all hardware completed and posted by this weekend, project is coming along slowly, for free time for someone in my occupation is scarce this time of year

-James