[wchasr]

Yup,
Adult education classes. Go back to high school nights and re-take the welding class. You'll get to build that bridge without having to buy the welder (unless you want to?) and get some good tips from the instructor/teacher as well if you do decide you need to do more than the class will let you.

Chas

 

[wchasr]

RichT,
Sizes that small in an I or H beam are tough. When I worked at a sheet metal shop I made my own channels and spot welded them together to get I beams But I made something like 1/2" by 1" high beams. A bit easier to form up in 16 gauge cold rolled. Visit your local sheet metal shop (HVAC shop maybe?) and see if they can form something that small first? Then find a welder that can weld without blowing away the thin material.

Chas

 

[wchasr]

RichT

"Is milling out two sides of a 1/2" square bar to form an H a ridiculous idea?"

In my opinion only it's NOT ridiculous BUT if you do not have the machinery to do it yourself then it becomes ridiculously expensive. I think I'd try slit sawing it first. I feel teh bandsaw would be too course and imperfect. The other problem is the wall thickness would be too large.

Kalmbach and Carstens both have some good books on prototypical bridge building. However you could get by without the research I'd recommend a little research now will benefit you tons later. Especially if you are free lancing a bridge instead of a a specific prortoype that you have good photos and plans for. What If oudn was that I needed to use MUCH thinner material to get the look on a plate girder bridge Iw as buildign and when the welder went to TIG weld it he had the power turned way up for a much heavier gauge and in a moment of not thinking burned right thru several layers. I compromised on the two bridges that did get finished though and left off the intereior knee braces and angles. A LOT less finicky welding. He I had time then to learn to TIG weld I would have done it myself. Alas the company went bankrupt (Enron style) and I no longer have that kind of access to a non-union sheet metal shop.

Chas

 

[wchasr]

http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/12101.html

Model Railroad Bridges and Trestles From Model Railroader

Teaches how to build sturdy model bridges and trestles of stunning realism. Includes construction plans, prototype photos, and over 20 sets of scale drawings for scratchbuilding, kitbashing, or modifying commercial bridge kits.
Perfect-bound softcover; 8 1/4 x 11 1/4; 152 pages; 100 b&w photos; 100 illustrations;



#00099 Bridge & Trestle Handbook - $22.95
by Paul Mallery
2nd printing, Paul Mallery's acclaimed book covering every imaginable railroad bridge, underpass, culvert, trestle, text and illustrations. For railfans and modelers.


These are the two books I have someplace.

Chas