This is a tutorial on how I model telephone poles just like the ones seen on my layout. If you are considering adding telephone poles to your layout or are unhappy with the commercial ones offered, why don’t you let me show you how I go about making mine? The methods I use combine readily available products in order to simplify construction. This simple detail can add life to any layout. So come along as I show you how I construct mine from start to finish.
#1 this first picture shows the materials used for this project. (Tip) Wood Q-Tips such as the ones shown make great looking poles. A bag of 250 Q-tips can be purchased in most drug stores for about 3 dollars. Also shown is this plastic telephone kit (#628-34) by Rix Products. (Tip) Only the cross beam will be used. The plastic poles will only be used to measure the height of our wooden pole replacements.
#2 shows the plastic poles offer in the kit compared to the wooden Q-tips.
#3 (Tip) using a rail nipper or other cutting tool, cut your Q-tips to match the heights of the pre-measured (30 or 40 foot) plastic poles. I like using the shorter poles (30 foot) poles. The shorter poles are more prototypical for the era I model in.
#4 once your poles are cut to their desired lengths, wood grain needs to be added. (Tip) A fine tooth razor saw does this job nicely. (Tip) To prevent your wooden poles from warping, work from the center out, drawing the blade away from you. As you add grain, rotate the poles slowly in order to minimize warping. Then turn the poles 180 degrees and repeat this process to the unfinished end.
[IMG]http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g300/engineerbob/BuildingTelephonePoles