SCRATCHBUILDING PARTS
AND MATERIALS

SCRATCHBUILDING PARTS

LASERWOOD™ Detail Parts

A laser is a very useful modeling tool.
Besides our TrueWood shingles, we are developing our LaserWood line of laser cut/scribed products. These include windows, doors, and other architectual details, stair stringers, wood decking/siding, track-laying guides, and other useful products. Here's what we have available so far.

 LASERWOOD HO STRUCTURE KITS

 LASER-CUT STAIR STRINGERS

 LASER-SCRIBED STAIR TREADS

 LASER-SCRIBED DECKING/SIDING

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LASER-CUT STAIR STRINGERS

N - HO - O - S STAIR STRINGERS

We now offer our laser-cut wood stair stringers in SIX different slopes,
two lengths (single or 2-story), and in four scales!
Yep, someone asked for them in N-scale so we figured why not?
Standard rise of 7" which is fairly typical or a steeper rise of 8".
Then you have a choice of 9", 10" or 11" runs (as shown above).
The typical size in a residence now days is 10-1/2" x 7-1/2".
But for modeling purposes we needed more options and decided to offer them to you.
Certainly, one of them will work just right.
The single-story standard set has 14 steps (including the floor above),
and the 2-story has 28 steps, for 8 and 16 ft total height respectively.
Simply cut them to the height you require.
Can't make up your mind, or you're not sure- buy one of each!
If you need tread material we now offer those too. You will want something that is about an inch or so longer than indicated for the stringer, so 10, 11 and 12 inch treads are offered in 30, 36 and 48 inch lengths as well as 192 inches (16 ft.) or simply use commercial stripwood if you require other lengths.

TO UNDERSTAND THE MATRIX - AND FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU NEED
            WE ARE WORKING IN SCALE INCHES HERE
The first number, "8" for instance is the RISE, that is how many scale inches each step rises. The second number, say "10", is the RUN, or length of each step in scale inches. So to figure out which stringer to use measure the total rise and run of your location in scale inches. To make this illustration simple let's say it is 8' tall and 10' long. That's 96" by 120". Divide 96" by 8 to get 12 steps, then divide your run by that number, 120/12 to get 10". If it were longer, say 132", the result would be 11". And so on. Of course it's not likely to be exact like these examples, so find the closest one and add or shave off the difference from the botom of the stringer if necessary. Also consider that the top step might actually be the upper floor, with the stairs starting one rise below. Look at some real examples to see how it's done.

STAIR TREADS

What's so special about stair treads? Well, yes, you can chop them out of stripwood stock. Now, let's see, what size was that? Where'd you put it? Darn, another run to the hobby shop wondering if they have it, or how soon can they get it? Well, forget that. We've got them right here. Better yet, they are laser-cut to the size you need to fit our stair stringers: 10, 11 or 12 inch lumber with lengths of either 30, 36 or 48 inch. And 192 inches (16 ft) for porch steps or to cut your own.

And check this out- We just can't help ourselves. We've added nailhead detail to one side. Yep, nailheads. Now you can have "super detail" details without the task of doing it yourself. So sit back in your easy chair and smile!

Our stair treads have nailhead details engraved. You can always flip them over if you do not desire such detail.

ASSEMBLY TOOL

Then to put it all together we've come up with a fabracting jig that has laser-cut parellel channels. Simply place the stair stringers in the slots and start gluing the treads in place using both hands! It's so simple we've trained our cat to do it. Well, no, we haven't, but it really makes a difficult job pretty simple. The alignment tool has two sets of tripple slots for tread width of 36 or 48 inch. And there are slots that work for a pair at 30 inch.

Placing the stringers in parallel groves simplifies construction.
Here's the prototype alignment tool in action (HO scale).

Our O scale tool part #7820

N-SCALE STAIRS

Get your tweezers out and prove how N-uts you really are.

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LASER-SCRIBED PLANKING

HO - O - S-SCALE PLANKING W/NAILHEAD DETAIL

After making all those stairways we decided we needed them to go somewhere so we created this generic decking materials with nailhead detail.
Use them for decking, boardwalks, siding, fencing, loading docks or whatever.
They come with 6", 8", 12" or random width laser-scribed planking. Cut to 4 foot, 8 foot, mixed (4', 6', 10', etc.), or not cut (plain). In HO, S and O scale.

"Cut" length is expressed in feet as HEIGHT / TALL, as if used for vertical fencing.

Each package has one 6" x 12" sheet with 1/4"-1/2" border.

N and HO scale are .025" thick ANEGRE (African cherry).
.025" Basswood is available by special order.
O scale is .040" Basswood. S scale is 1/32" (.031") Basswood.

NOW IN N-SCALE TOO!

N-scale packages are one 3-3/4" x 7" sheet. You will not believe the detail!

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