Morning all…the weekend is comming. I am building a 2 story Bar/Grill type structure and would like to put a staircase up one side on the outside to a balcony on the second story. I have made a couple from basswood but they never turned ut that good. and the railings are nearly impossible to make from wood. I would like to scratch build it if possible but if not can these be bought? Thanks for any info. Mike
Central Valley used to offer packs of structure details that included stairs, railings, fences, etc. Do a search on the Walthers website to see if they are still available.
Bob Boudreau
Also try Plastruct (Walthers # 570-90442 or 570-90662). Grandt line make two (Walthers # 300-5176 and 300-5177).
Use a pair of pinking shears to make the stringers from thin basswood sheet or styrene. The railings can be made from a piece of scale 2x4 material, with a couple of small bits of 2x2 for the railing supports (balusters, I think they are called) and you really only need a couple unless you’re going for a very ornate stairwell. For an outside stairwell, simple is probably better. You could also build a covered stairwell, a little more wood involved but less delicate detail work on the steps etcetera.
I made a mold, first using modelling clay and then covering that with latex rubber. I fill the latex mold with hydrocal. This gives me a nice “concrete” stairway once I’ve painted it.