Timber Retaining Wall - Starting Material

Try a search for Kappler Mill and Lumber Co.   1/4" X 1/4" would be 1' X 1' , larger accordingly.

Thanks, Mike. I’ll check them out. I appreciate the lead.

I built the retaining wall shown using bass wood and styrene I beams. Each section is a scale 12’ with scale 2”x6”s. The wood was stained using Hunterline grey, brown, black, then cut to length. I randomized placement to make it interesting. Overall length is around 7’. You can glue this to a background material like 1/4” foam board.

@ScottM posted:

I built the retaining wall shown using bass wood and styrene I beams. Each section is a scale 12’ with scale 2”x6”s. The wood was stained using Hunterline grey, brown, black, then cut to length. I randomized placement to make it interesting. Overall length is around 7’. You can glue this to a background material like 1/4” foam board.

Looks terrific, Scott. Thanks for the pics!

The attached was done with balsa wood -- mostly thin, flat sheets with the lumber scored using a manicure tool.

It was colored by (a) painting individual "timbers" with various shades of brown magic marker and (b) staining with a brown ink/alcohol wash.

@Avanti posted:

The attached was done with balsa wood -- mostly thin, flat sheets with the lumber scored using a manicure tool..

It was colored by (a) coloring individual "timbers" with various shades of brown magic marker and (b) stained with a brown ink/alcohol wash.

Pete, how did you score the balsa wood?  Looks great.

EDIT: I think my question came through at the same time as yours!  Got it on the manicure tool.

@Rider Sandman posted:

Pete, how did you score the balsa wood?  Looks great.

EDIT: I think my question came through at the same time as yours!  Got it on the manicure tool.

You can often get a complete set of various manicure tools for a buck or two at a Dollar Store. They are perfect for getting various textures and scoring effects in balsa and pink foam.

One day at Lowes in the trim section near the dowels I discovered packages of 1/4×1/4×12 pieces of poplar.  Price was good so I picked a couple packages of 12 for a bit over $3 each.  They are smooth and very straight so I roughed them up a bit before staining.  I used them along with craft (popsicle) sticks for supports inside one of my tunnels.  Might be something to look at if you have a Lowes nearby.

If I remember correctly the also came in longer than 12 inch, 24 and 36, so maybr timber trestle material.

-Mike in NC