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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: dwbullock on 20 October 2023, 04:26:06 PM

Title: Plastic Tennis Racket for Terrain
Post by: dwbullock on 20 October 2023, 04:26:06 PM

Lot of Youtube videos and forum posts where people are using plastic tennis rackets for ladders and railings.  I've scoured our Dollar Tree / Dollar Store / Everything is a Dollar stores all around my area, and can't find them.  Ordered from Aliexpress, but the ones I keep getting are on the smaller side.

So, any of you that have used them, where did you get them?  Any links so I stop buying these tiny tennis rackets?  (I'm starting to accrue a rather substantial pile of tiny tennis rackets, and my office partners are beginning to ask me questions....)

If you haven't used them, any chance you've seen something that might work?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Plastic Tennis Racket for Terrain
Post by: has.been on 21 October 2023, 08:32:23 AM

I bought some wire mesh (Squares are 1cm.) from a DIY store. It was about two foot square & has provided
me & some mates with plenty of ladders & railings. It can be cut with a heavy pair of scissors.

Other possibles are (mainly for smaller than 28mm) anti-spatter frying pan covers (got mine from Pound-Land)
Door mesh (anti-flies) & car repair mesh.

Hope this helps.
There are  firms (Like Fennris) who do MDF ladders & Railings, also have a look at  'O' gauge Railways.

Title: Re: Plastic Tennis Racket for Terrain
Post by: Codsticker on 22 October 2023, 05:27:32 PM

To DIY ladders I have used rabbit hutch wire:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81bf37-gSoL.__AC_SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg)

Now I just buy model ladders. For wooden ladders I like Fenris Games Sulaco ladders:
(https://d2j6dbq0eux0bg.cloudfront.net/images/1030101/978700319.jpg)

Or Firedragon Games ladders:
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62e255093c794b765eef4c88/1659114189449-A5UUUWC7391YO79991WN/Ladders%2B3.jpg?format=750w)

For SciFi or modern I use Plastruct O scale ladders:
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ThUAAOSwfaRiZRcv/s-l1600.jpg)

Title: Re: Plastic Tennis Racket for Terrain
Post by: dwbullock on 24 October 2023, 01:58:21 PM

I've used the metal rabbit fence.  One person gets a scratch on their finger because I didn't grind the point down fine enough and suddenly it's all 'Don't use that anymore, Dave....'

The O gauge ladders I use, also.  But those can get expensive in a hurry.

It's the railings I really have issue with, honestly.  I just see a lot of people in youtube builds talking about rackets for railings and ladders, but I for the life of me, cannot find any that are the right size.  Thanks for the tips, though.

Title: Re: Plastic Tennis Racket for Terrain
Post by: Codsticker on 25 October 2023, 01:55:16 AM

I think I have used rabbit hutch wire for fence railings, but that was close to 20 years ago.